250px, Governor Tim Walz signing a bill into law in 2022 The law of Minnesota refers to the legal framework that governs the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

. It is a combination of the federal legal system, applicable throughout the United States, and state-specific laws and regulations. Minnesota has its own

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed. When these pri ...

, first ratified in 1857, which provides the fundamental structure and guidance for the state's legal processes.

History

Minnesota became the 32nd state of the United States on May 11, 1858. The first constitution was ratified a year prior, in 1857. The legal system of Minnesota, like that of other states, has evolved over time to adapt to the changing social, economic, and political landscape, while also incorporating the federal legal framework set by the

United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States is the Supremacy Clause, supreme law of the United States, United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. Originally includi ...

Sources of law

Minnesota Constitution

The Minnesota Constitution serves as the foundational legal document for the state. The constitution establishes the structure of Minnesota's government and outlines the basic rights and freedoms of its citizens. Any law enacted in Minnesota must comply with both the United States Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution.

Statutory law

Statutory laws in Minnesota are enacted by the

Minnesota Legislature The Minnesota Legislature is the bicameral legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators are elected from 67 single-member districts. In order to account for decenn ...

, which consists of the

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entities. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often ...

and the

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

. These laws are codified in the Minnesota Statutes, a comprehensive collection of laws organized by subject matter. Statutory law addresses a broad array of topics, from criminal and civil law to administrative, corporate, and tax law.

Administrative regulations

Administrative agencies in Minnesota are empowered to create rules and regulations that provide more detailed guidelines on the implementation of statutory laws. These agencies, boards, and commissions focus on specialized areas such as healthcare, transportation, and environmental protection. Administrative law is compiled in the Minnesota Administrative Rules.

Case law

Minnesota's judicial system contributes to the development of law through the decisions made by its courts. Courts interpret statutes, regulations, and constitutional provisions, creating what is known as case law. This body of law is particularly important for clarifying ambiguities in statutes or for addressing issues not explicitly covered by statutory law.

Local ordinances

In addition to state-level laws and regulations, local governments in Minnesota, such as cities and counties, have the authority to enact ordinances. These typically pertain to issues like zoning, public safety, and local governance.

Federal law

Federal law, including the United States Constitution, federal statutes, and regulations, also applies within Minnesota. Where federal and state laws conflict, federal law takes precedence, according to the

Supremacy Clause The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution of the United States ( Article VI, Clause 2) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the "supreme Law of the Land", and th ...

of the U.S. Constitution.

References

External links

Minnesota Constitution

Minnesota Administrative Rules

Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Laws
{{Government of Minnesota Government of Minnesota