Did you know that recreational cannabis is legal in Minnesota as of Aug. 1, 2023? What about the fact that reproductive healthcare is protected by state law? If not, take this as a sign to become informed about what the Minnesota state legislature is up to, especially now as they enter the 2024 legislative session, a time when bills become laws and noteworthy changes are made.

This year, the Minnesota legislature will cover many issues, including medically assisted suicide, gun control and an updated Equal Rights Amendment. During each legislative session, proposed bills go through the lengthy process of being introduced, reviewed, voted on, passed, ratified and finally amended into the Constitution. It may seem boring, and the creation of new laws can be complicated for people to follow, especially for younger students with less knowledge about the legislative process. Nonetheless, it is crucial that everyone stays up-to-date with the laws in Minnesota.

It is certainly necessary to know and follow state laws for the sake of being a good, law-abiding citizen. However, there is much more to it than that, because state laws affect the daily lives of Minnesotans. Thus, the citizens bear the responsibility to speak up for systemic change when laws are not serving them. The first step to doing that is to become familiar with the legislation itself and then reach out to lawmakers to express ideas or complaints.

State lawmakers are elected to represent the people and meet their needs, so citizens of Minnesota have a responsibility to make sure they are living up to that expectation. If a new law seems problematic, reach out to a local senator or house representative. If a newly proposed bill ought to become a law, make sure legislators know. Their phone numbers and email addresses are public information, so contacting a legislator is very simple.

Another vital reason to be familiar with state legislation is voting for those 18 and older. When deciding which state legislators to cast a vote for during election season, it’s a smart idea to be educated about which bills or laws they supported and which they didn’t. If they have held office before, investigate what they were able to get passed. Decide if their legislative agenda is worth voting for.

Minnesota’s laws and the lawmakers who create them constantly have an impact on the lives of everyone in the state. A proposed update to the school resource officer law directly affects students and how they are treated at school. The bill aiming to legalize medically assisted suicide will control the agency people have over their own deaths. Of course, the Equal Rights Amendment and similar laws pertaining to identity and civil rights influence every single Minnesotan. The impact of these laws should be reason enough to stay current with new legislation.

People of all ages can access legislation through the Minnesota Legislature website, which provides resources for tracking bills, reading up on legislative decisions and watching recorded House and Senate sessions. All of this information is within reach, so it is time to start using it and become more informed citizens ready to engage with state lawmakers. The future of Minnesota’s legal and political landscape truly lies with the people.