Minnesota State Senator Keri Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) has been appointed to serve on the Senate Higher Education Committee and the Commerce Committee, as lawmakers prepare for the start of the 2026 legislative session. The assignments place her at the center of debates over college affordability, workforce preparation, small business policy, and consumer protections.

 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on both Higher Education and Commerce,” Sen. Heintzeman said. “These issues touch nearly every family in Minnesota, and the committees deal with issues I’ve lived firsthand as a parent, a small business owner, and as someone who understands how decisions made at the Capitol can ripple through real lives. I’m looking forward to getting to work and bringing a practical, common-sense perspective to these debates.”

 

The Senate Higher Education Committee oversees policy related to Minnesota’s public and private colleges and universities, including affordability, workforce alignment, and student support programs. The Commerce Committee handles legislation affecting small businesses, consumers, insurance, financial services, and economic regulation.

 

Sen. Heintzeman represents parts of Cass, Crow Wing, and Itasca counties. The 2026 legislative session convenes Feb. 17 at the Minnesota State Capitol.