Friends and neighbors,
The 2026 legislative session starts next week, on Tuesday, Feb. 17. In advance of the session, I wanted to make you aware of some important security changes as you plan your Day on the Hill or visit to the State Capitol or Minnesota Senate Building (MSB).
Starting the first day of session, additional security screenings will be required to enter the State Capitol and the MSB, as well as the Senate Viewing Gallery.
Please plan ahead and arrive at the State Capitol or MSB about 15 minutes earlier than you would have in years past to give yourself extra time to get through security screenings.
These procedures are brand new this year, and while I hope for a smooth rollout, it’s best to be prepared for delays, especially when a large group or organization is visiting for a Day on the Hill.
State Capitol
On Monday, Jan. 26, Gov. Walz issued an executive order to implement weapons screening at the State Capitol. The screenings will start the first day of session. Permit to carry holders are allowed to bring their firearm into the Capitol, but to pass security, they must have their physical permit to carry card and a government-issued photo ID. If you’re carrying a firearm, keep both your permit and ID with you the entire time you’re at the Capitol.
Screening stations will be located at the main entrance of the Capitol (South) beneath the steps, and at underground tunnel access points. The Capitol’s West and East entrances will remain locked throughout session.
If you exit the Capitol, you will be required to pass security when you re-enter.
Senate Gallery
Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) issued a memo on Jan. 26 requiring the use of additional security screening for all members of the public entering the Senate Gallery. That memo also prohibits the carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons (as defined by Minn. Stat. 609.02, subd. 6) by members of the public in the Senate Gallery, including for those who have a permit to carry. This prohibition does not apply to licensed peace officers or Senate Sergeants-at-Arms when they are performing official duties.
Members of the public carrying a firearm will be denied access to the Senate Gallery—there will be no weapons storage. In this case, you can watch Senate floor sessions on the TV monitors placed outside the Senate chambers on the second floor of the Capitol.
Minnesota Senate Building
The Minnesota Senate Building (MSB), where my office (# 2227) is located and where many Senate committee hearings take place, will also require security screening for members of the public. Screening will be located at the main entrance of the MSB (corner of University Ave. and Cedar Ave.).
If you exit the MSB, you will be required to pass security when you re-enter.
If you’re visiting both the MSB and the Capitol, you will be required to pass security when you enter each building.
Prohibited Items at the State Capitol and MSB
Weapons: firearms (unless carried by a valid permit holder), knives, explosives, blunt objects
Contraband: illegal substances, alcohol
Protest items: balloons, spray paint/chalk, tape, candles/open flames
Accessible Parking
For vehicles under 8.2 feet: 20 disability parking spots are located in the Senate Office Building for no cost. Coming from Rice Street on Sherburne Ave., take a right onto Capitol Blvd. and then another right into the parking garage. Once parked, find and press the access button. Security will unlock the door and direct you to the screening checkpoint.
The distance from the parking elevator to the Capitol elevators is 425 feet, or approximately 3/4 of a city block. There are benches throughout the tunnel. The tunnel is open during Capitol hours.
You can find more information about public parking at the Minnesota Department of Administration.
A Final Note
Change is always difficult, but I’m committed to keeping the State Capitol—the People’s House—as open to the public as possible, and to keeping the Minnesota Senate Building accessible so you can attend committee hearings and visit my office.
Senate Republicans didn’t have a say in approving either the Governor’s executive order or Senate Democrats’ rule to ban firearms from the Senate gallery. However, we advocated for Second Amendment rights and voiced our concerns over Constitutional infringement as well as logistical challenges. We’ll closely monitor these new procedures, provide feedback to Capitol Security, and push for changes or improvements where necessary.
Please contact Gov. Walz’s office if you have feedback on the State Capitol entrance security, and Sen. Champion’s office with feedback on Senate Gallery security.
I look forward to your visit this session. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions or feedback on your experience with these new procedures.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. It is a privilege to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,