HF4685

Purpose

• This bill amends Minnesota law to change how quickly the Legislature must act on certain state appointments that require confirmation. It shortens the action window and automates rejection if no decision is made within that window. It also excludes Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board appointments from this automatic-rejection rule.

Main provisions

• For appointments requiring confirmation by only the Senate:
  • If the Senate does not reject or confirm the appointment within 30 legislative days after the president of the Senate sends the letter of appointment, the Senate is deemed to have rejected the appointment.
• For appointments requiring confirmation by both the Senate and the House:
  • If neither chamber rejects the appointment nor both chambers confirm it within 30 legislative days after the later receipt of the appointment letter (either by the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House), the Legislature is deemed to have rejected the appointment.
• The section does not apply to appointments to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFDB) under section 10A.02.

Significant changes to existing law

• Timeframe reduction: The window to act on appointments is reduced from 60 legislative days to 30 legislative days.
• Automatic rejection by inaction: If no action occurs within the 30-day window, the appointment is treated as rejected (for both Senate-only and bicameral processes).
• Carve-out: CFDB appointments are explicitly excluded from this automatic-rejection provision.

Potential implications

• Could speed up the appointment process and reduce delays in government staffing.
• Increases the risk that appointments are rejected due to inaction within the shorter window.
• Applies to most appointments, potentially shifting leverage and urgency in confirmation conversations.

Relevant Terms - advice and consent - appointments - confirmation - rejection - consent to reject - legislative days - president of the Senate - speaker of the House of Representatives - letter of appointment - Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFDB) - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 15.066 subdivision 3 - Senate - House of Representatives - bicameral (both Senate and House)