Rules Committee deadlocks on bill to bar nonemployees from using legislative emails, phones and offices

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration deadlocked on a proposal to bar nonemployees from using legislative email addresses, phone numbers and office space, leaving the bill stalled after an 8-8 tie.

Rep. Klevorn, the bill’s sponsor, asked the committee to refer House File 4172 to the General Register after adopting an author's amendment (DE1) that clarified definitions and expanded enforcement options to allow courts to adjudicate certain disputes. "When someone receives an e-mail from the Minnesota House of Representatives, it carries the full credibility of the institution," Klevorn said, arguing that outside use of official channels can mislead the public.

Klevorn told the committee she reviewed court filings and signature blocks that listed House email addresses, phone numbers and the Centennial Office building address alongside attorneys’ names and bar numbers. She said the examples raised concerns that members’ district phone numbers and House email addresses had been used by nonemployees in ways that confused constituents and blurred the lines between personal, political and official communications.

The DE1 amendment, as explained by Klevorn, adds the term "intern," aligns House language with the Senate, clarifies that "establish an office" covers permanent and temporary arrangements, and changes the enforcement provision so that, in addition to legislative remedies, matters could be brought to court for resolution.

Some members pressed Klevorn on whether the issue could be handled by internal rules rather than statute. Klevorn said she consulted the legislative auditor, who recommended stronger statutory authority to create durable internal controls after existing policies had been bypassed. The transcript also records members expressing concerns about constituent confidentiality if outside attorneys or contractors used government contact information.

Not all members agreed on the need for a statutory fix. One member characterized the measure as a "solution in search of a problem," urging caution about revisiting past disputes; Klevorn said the bill is forward-looking and intended to provide clear guardrails for future officeholders.

After debate, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote on the motion to refer the bill with the committee’s recommendation. The tally was an 8-8 tie, and the chair declared that "the motion does not prevail." The committee adjourned without advancing House File 4172.

At the start of the meeting the committee confirmed a quorum, approved the minutes from May 12 and adopted the calendar for Saturday, May 16.

What’s next: Because the committee did not refer the bill, House File 4172 will not move to the General Register from this meeting. The sponsor may pursue resubmission, revisions, or other procedural paths if members choose to revisit the proposal.