August 2025
Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature
Martin Sabo may be best known for his long service in the U.S. House of Representatives, or for being one of the founders and leaders of the National Conference of State Legislatures. But a new book by Lori Sturdevant, Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature, focuses primarily on his time at the Minnesota Legislature. Sabo was first elected in 1960, went on to serve as House minority leader from 1969-1972, and then served as Speaker of the House from 1973-1978. This period of time saw dramatic and lasting changes at the Legislature.
The period between 1967 and 1975 are often regarded as the beginning of the modern era at the Minnesota Legislature. It was a time of new openness in government, more complete committee record keeping, and the return of party designations. The Legislature as an institution expanded and professionalized, and this era saw the creation of the House Research Department (1967), Senate Counsel (1968), the Legislative Reference Library (1969), and the Office of the Legislative Auditor (1973).
Many state laws that we take as givens were established during this era as well. For example, in 1973, the Legislature established a state minimum wage, created data privacy standards, and set up environmental requirements for large-project developers. And in 1975, Minnesota passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, the first state in the nation to pass such a law, despite Sabo’s habit of smoking heavily, including at the Speaker’s rostrum!
If these fundamental changes to the Legislature as an institution and formative changes to state law had a founding father, Sturdevant asserts that it is Martin Sabo. She argues that we have him to thank for our modern legislative era, with his humble leadership strategies, his interest in working across the aisle, his shoe leather campaign style, his “keen mind and good heart,” and his pursuit to professionalize the institution.
The Library has several other books related to this time of legislative and public policy changes:
Minnesota’s Miracle: Learning from the Government that Worked by Tom Berg, University of Minnesota Press, 2012.
Minnesota Standoff: The Politics of Deadlock by Rod Searle, Alton Press, 1990.
Please contact us with questions, for research assistance, or to borrow any of the materials on this month's list: library@lrl.mn.gov or 651-296-8338.
New & Notable Books and Reports
Many of the items listed below are available electronically. If so, we have provided a link to the document. You can
request a print copy of any of the items by selecting the check-box and clicking on the "Request Items" button.
Region 2 Arts Council Biennial Plan. Region 2 Arts Council. 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1315.
Evaluation Report: Implementation of Minnesota's Healthy Start Act. University of Minnesota. 2025. HV8886.U5 S55 2025.
McAlpin, Megan. Beyond the First Draft: Editing Strategies for Powerful Legal Writing. Carolina Academic Press. 2014. K94 .M33 2014.
Evaluation Report: Implementation of Minnesota's Healthy Start Act. University of Minnesota. 2025. HV8886.U5 S55 2025.
No-knock Warrant Annual Report to the Legislature. Minn. Justice Information Services. 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1324.
Mandated by: 2021 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 11 Art. 9 Sec. 23 (Minn. Stat. 626.14 Subd. 4(b))https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251324.pdf
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Annual Report. Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (Region 3). 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1313.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 462.393 Subd. 1https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251313.pdf
Transportation Economic Development (TED) Program 2025 Legislative Report. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. February 1, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1323.
Mandated by: 2013 Minn. Laws Chap. 117 Art. 3 Sec. 19 Subd. 8 (Minn. Stat. 174.12 Subd. 8)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251323.pdf
Getting Prepared 2024: Developmental Education Course-Taking of High School Graduates. Office of Higher Education; Minn. State. June 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1314.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 13.32 Subd. 6https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251314.pdf
Getting Prepared 2024: Developmental Education Course-Taking of High School Graduates. Office of Higher Education; Minn. State. June 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1314.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 13.32 Subd. 6https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251314.pdf
Yearly Report on Political Contribution Refunds. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. July 17, 2025. JK1991.5.M6 Y43 2024. Minn. Publication 25-1307.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 290.06 Subd. 23(f)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251307.pdf
Solid Waste Management Tax. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. August 11, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1334.
Mandated by: 1997 Minn. Laws Chap. 231 Art. 13 Sec. 18 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 297H.13 Subd. 5)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251334.pdf
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam: Section 216 Disposition Study: Revised Draft Integrated Disposition Study and Environmental Assessment. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. June 2025.
Minnesota Town Finances: Revenues, Expenditures, and Debt. Office of the State Auditor. August 14, 2025. HJ9777.M55 M55b 2023. Minn. Publication 25-1326.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 6.75https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251326.pdf
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 6.74https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251326.pdf
District 1 Virginia Headquarters Project Program Plan and Cost Summary. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. July 31, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1316.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 16B.335 Subd. 1https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251316.pdf
Transportation Interagency Agreements and Intra-Agency Transfers. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. November 15, 2024. Minn. Publication 25-1322.
Mandated by: 2017 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 4 Art. 2 Sec. 16 (Minn. Stat. 15.0395)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251322.pdf
Minnesota Town Finances: Revenues, Expenditures, and Debt. Office of the State Auditor. August 14, 2025. HJ9777.M55 M55b 2023. Minn. Publication 25-1326.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 6.75https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251326.pdf
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 6.74https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251326.pdf
Administrative Costs at Minnesota Health Plan Companies: 2022 and 2023. Minn. Dept. of Health. August 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1331.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 62J.38https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251331.pdf
Administrative Costs at Minnesota Health Plans. Minn. Dept. of Health. June 2024. Minn. Publication 25-1330.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 62J.38https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251330.pdf
Resman, Michael. Asylums, Treatment Centers, and Genetic Jails: A History of Minnesota's State Hospitals. North Star Press. 2013. RC445.M58 R47 2013.
Environmental Public Health Tracking & Biomonitoring: Report to the Minnesota Legislature. Minn. Dept. of Health. March 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1318.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 57 Art. 1 Sec. 144 Subd. 1 (Minn. Stat. 144.996 Subd. 1)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251318.pdf
International Medical Graduate Assistance Program: Report to the Minnesota Legislature. Minn. Dept. of Health. February 14, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1306.
Mandated by: 2015 Minn. Laws Chap. 71 Art. 8 Sec. 17 Subd. 10 (Minn. Stat. 144.1911 Subd. 10)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251306.pdf
Low-Value Care and Administrative Health Care Spending Studies: Update for the Minnesota Legislature. Health Economics Program. June 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1329.
Mandated by: 2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 70 Art. 16 Sec. 3(b) (Minn. Stat. 62J.0416)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251329.pdf
Public Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Report. Minn. Dept. of Commerce. July 28, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1312.
Mandated by: 2019 Minn. Laws Chap. 39 Sec. 6 Subd. 2(b) (Minn. Stat. 62W.06 Subd. 2(b))https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251312.pdf
First-Time Homebuyer, Fee-Based Home Purchase Financing Program: Legislative Report from Neighborworks Home Partners. NeighborWorks Home Partners. July 15, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1304.
Mandated by: 2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 37 Art. 2 Sec. 12 Subd. 6https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251304.pdf
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam: Section 216 Disposition Study: Revised Draft Integrated Disposition Study and Environmental Assessment. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. June 2025.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Unemployment Insurance Aid Report. Office of Higher Education; Minn. State; University of Minnesota. July 31, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1317.
Mandated by: 2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 41 Art. 2 Sec. 32https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251317.pdf
Sturdevant, Lori. Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature. Minn. Historical Society Press. 2025. F610.3.S236 S78 2025.
The Minnesota House of Representative's State Fair Opinion Poll [electronic resource]. Public Information Services. September 2, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1332.
The Minnesota State Senate's State Fair Opinion Poll [electronic resource]. Minn. Senate. 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1333.
Resman, Michael. Asylums, Treatment Centers, and Genetic Jails: A History of Minnesota's State Hospitals. North Star Press. 2013. RC445.M58 R47 2013.
Sturdevant, Lori. Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature. Minn. Historical Society Press. 2025. F610.3.S236 S78 2025.
Sturdevant, Lori. Martin Sabo: The Making of the Modern Legislature. Minn. Historical Society Press. 2025. F610.3.S236 S78 2025.
Mississippi River Parkway Commission Annual Report. Mississippi River Parkway Commission. August 18, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1325.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 161.1419https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251325.pdf
The Minnesota House of Representative's State Fair Opinion Poll [electronic resource]. Public Information Services. September 2, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1332.
The Minnesota State Senate's State Fair Opinion Poll [electronic resource]. Minn. Senate. 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1333.
Semi-Annual Appointment Report. Minn. Management & Budget. August 1, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1319.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 43A.04 Subd. 7https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251319.pdf
Potential Right of Way Conveyance Parcels. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. March 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1321.
Mandated by: 2013 Minn. Laws Chap. 127 Art. 1 Sec. 9 (Minn. Stat. 161.44 Subd. 1a)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251321.pdf
100 Questions and Answers About Hmong Americans: Secret No More. Front Edge Publishing. 2024. E184.H55 M53 2024.
Quarterly Report on the Status of the Collection Agency Program. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. July 15, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1305.
Mandated by: 2005 Minn. Laws Chap. 151 Art. 1 Sec. 18 (Minn. Stat. 270C.16 Subd. 1)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251305.pdf
Yearly Report on Political Contribution Refunds. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. July 17, 2025. JK1991.5.M6 Y43 2024. Minn. Publication 25-1307.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 290.06 Subd. 23(f)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251307.pdf
Biennial Report on the Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. March 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1320.
Mandated by: 2010 Minn. Laws Chap. 350 Sec. 2 (Minn. Stat. 165.03 Subd. 8)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251320.pdf
Design-Build Delivery Selected for Three Upcoming 2026 Projects. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. July 23, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1311.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 161.3412 Subd. 3https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251311.pdf
Met Council Response to MnDOT Oversight Reporting on Light Rail Transit Report #2. Metropolitan Council. August 15, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1309.
Mandated by: 2024 Minn. Laws Chap. 127 Art. 3 Sec. 107 (Minn. Stat. 473.3999 Subd. 2(e))https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251309.pdf
MnDOT Oversight Reporting on Light Rail Transit #2: Schedule, Critical Path and Quality of Design. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. July 18, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1308.
Mandated by: 2024 Minn. Laws Chap. 127 Art. 3 Sec. 107 (Minn. Stat. 473.3999 Subd. 2(d))https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251308.pdf
Potential Right of Way Conveyance Parcels. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. March 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1321.
Mandated by: 2013 Minn. Laws Chap. 127 Art. 1 Sec. 9 (Minn. Stat. 161.44 Subd. 1a)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251321.pdf
Transportation Economic Development (TED) Program 2025 Legislative Report. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. February 1, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1323.
Mandated by: 2013 Minn. Laws Chap. 117 Art. 3 Sec. 19 Subd. 8 (Minn. Stat. 174.12 Subd. 8)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251323.pdf
Report: Emergency Response to Disease Outbreaks in Wildlife. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. July 24, 2025. Minn. Publication 25-1310.
Mandated by: 2023 Minn. Laws Chap. 60 Art. 1 Sec. 3 Subd. 6(b)https://www.lrl.mn.gov/docs/2025/mandated/251310.pdf
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