The agreement is expected to last until there are 34 votes in the Senate to end it.

ST PAUL, Minn. — With just days before the 2025 legislative session is expected to begin in Minnesota, the state’s Senate DFL and GOP parties have agreed on key items about which party will control various committees.

The MN Senate is temporarily tied due to the death of former DFL Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic last month. Each party currently holds 33 seats in the chamber. 

Each caucus leader will appoint a co-presiding officer; caucus leaders will agree who will convene each day.Each committee has joint chairs, with gavel sharing determined by the chairs.Equal representation of DFL and GOP members on committees.No changes to Senate rules through 2025.

The agreement is expected to remain in place until either party has 34 votes to end it. A special election for the late Dziedzic’s seat is scheduled for Jan. 28. 

The agreement between the Senate Republicans and Democrats still leaves the question of what will happen in the ongoing spat between the party’s delegations in the House.

Although the two parties could still reach a deal ahead of Tuesday’s opening day, the DFL’s threatened walkout would bring the House to a standstill and prevent Republicans from even convening in the chamber by denying what’s known as a “quorum,” or the number of lawmakers needed to conduct business.