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Minnesota's 2026 Legislative Session Starts with Remembrance of Melissa and Mark Hortman
Lawmakers dedicated the first day of the session to honoring Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband after their politically motivated killing last June, with memorials and a joint resolution planned.
- On Feb. 17, 2026, lawmakers gathered in the House chamber to honor Melissa Hortman, former House Speaker, and her husband Mark, during the session's opening.
- After a June home invasion that killed the Hortmans, Gilbert, their golden retriever, died from wounds, and Vance Boelter faces state and federal charges, including possible death penalty.
- On the House floor, the desk of Melissa Hortman remained empty with red roses replaced every eight days, while members placed flowers on her desk and a service dog honored Gilbert.
- For the first day, the Capitol instituted new security screening requiring metal detectors and x-ray machines, while lawmakers previewed a packed agenda on fraud, federal immigration enforcement, gun policy, and a bonding bill before adjourning May 18.
- With a split Legislature, leaders urged civility as the Minnesota House remains tied and the Senate has a one-seat DFL majority, to navigate contentious issues like the assault-weapons ban and Star Act.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Minnesota Legislature convenes annual session
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — The Minnesota Legislature begins its session, convening for the first time since last June. For many lawmakers walking into the Capitol was a bit different, as security has been amplified since the shooting that killed former speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Sen. John Hoffman who was shot and injured, shared his condolences...
Minnesota's 2026 legislative session starts with remembrance of Melissa and Mark Hortman
Tuesday is the first day of Minnesota's 2026 legislative session, the first since a politically motivated gunman killed a state lawmaker and her husband and wounded another legislator and his wife.
Minnesota Reformer
Source New MexicoMinnesota Legislature gavels in, honors Melissa Hortman, absent for first time in 20 years
Legislators placed roses on Melissa Hortman’s desk as they left the first day of session on Feb. 17, 2026. The first day of the Minnesota Legislature was marked by tributes to Sen. John Hoffman and the late House Speaker Melissa Hortman. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer)Minnesota lawmakers walked into the Capitol Tuesday for the first time in over 20 years without Rep. Melissa Hortman, among the state’s most influential elected officials…
MN lawmakers honor Melissa and Mark Hortman on first day of session
For the first time, members of the public had to pass through metal detectors and send bags through x-ray machines to access the Capitol — new security measures that came in the wake of last summer’s violence against state lawmakers.
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