On Monday, the Minnesota Senate voted on a bipartisan resolution to end Governor Tim Walz’s peacetime emergency powers relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vote aims to end the state’s longest peacetime emergency in history, which began when Gov. Walz first put the state under emergency powers back on March 13, 2020.

“Today, we made the important decision to end the Governor’s emergency powers as they relate the COVID pandemic in Minnesota,” said Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville). “The choice was made after Minnesota has experienced significantly fewer cases and deaths than projected, and as a result of our state now being prepared for any surge, we may see in the future. Rather than continue the Governor’s unilateral authority on the issue, we hope that by ending his power, he will bring legislators to the table to ensure the wellbeing of all communities is considered as we all continue to grapple with this virus and our state’s recovery.” 

The vote to end the peacetime emergency was passed 36-31 with bipartisan support. The resolution now heads to the House, where it requires majority support before it can be adopted.