How long are terms?
The House serves two-year terms. In the House of Representatives, the term start date is the first Monday in January every odd-numbered year.
The Senate generally serves four-year terms (with the exception of a two-year term before redistricting changes take effect). The term start date is the first Monday in January of the odd-numbered year after their election. This has been the case since 1883. Prior to that, there were staggered Senate start-of-terms.
What laws set term dates?
Minnesota Constitution, article 7, section 7 sets the official year of the state and its political subdivisions, which says that “the official year for the state of Minnesota commences on the first Monday in January in each year and all terms of office terminate at that time.” This constitutional amendment was added in 1883 (General Laws 1883, chapter 2).
Similar language is also found in Minnesota Statutes 204D.02, subd. 2: “The term of office of all elective state and county officers shall begin on the first Monday in January of the odd-numbered year following their election.” This specific language was added by Laws of Minnesota 1981, chapter 29, article 6, sec. 2. However, a version of this language dates back to at least 1893 (General Laws 1893, chapter 4, sec. 2).
When does session start?
In 2025 and moving forward, the regular session starts the first Tuesday after the second Monday in January of each odd-numbered year. See Minnesota Statutes 3.011.
Before 2025, the regular session started on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January each odd-numbered year. When the first Monday was New Year’s Day, session started on the first Wednesday after the first Monday of the year. You can see an archived version of the statute in the Statutes Archive (e.g. Minnesota Statutes 2022, 3.011).
See also the FAQs: How long are terms for Minnesota Representatives and Senators? and When does the Minnesota Legislature meet?