The eightieth Minnesota Legislature first convened on January 7, 1997. The 67 members of the Minnesota Senate and the 134 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives were elected during the General Election of November 5, 1996.
The legislature met in a regular session from January 7, 1997, to May 15, 1997. A special session convened on June 26, 1997, to consider funding for KâÂÂ12 schools, DWI measures, and government data practices. A second special session was convened on August 19, 1997, to provide flood relief and consider commissioners' pay and the minimum wage. A third special session was held from October 23, 1997, to November 14, 1997, to consider providing funding for a baseball stadium.
A continuation of the regular session was held between January 20, 1998, and April 9, 1998. An additional special session met from April 20, 1998, to April 22, 1998, to clarify legislation to allow for fraud recovery, and consider economic development issues and issues relevant to early childhood and family education.