Minnesota Agencies

Initially, the commission's duties included coordination of the restoration, protection, risk management, and preservation of the Capitol building, consulting with and advising the commissioner of administration, the board, and the Minnesota Historical Society, assisting in the plan to restore the Capitol and coordinating the plan to reopen the Capitol building after restoration. The function of the commission was modified in 2016 and 2018 as the Capitol restoration project was completed. The commission is now responsible for developing a comprehensive, multiyear maintenance and preservation plan for the Capitol building, and shall ensure a welcoming and accessible Minnesota State Capitol for all Minnesotans and visitors.

The Commission was organized in its inaugural meeting on October 14, 2011. Governor and Commission Chair Mark Dayton called the meeting to order. The Governor challenged the Commission to set aside political differences and work for the good of the people of Minnesota in regard to the restoration of the historic State Capitol which was designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert. Governor Dayton stated, "The time is now. The Building has significant problems that must be addressed. It is our responsibility to do so as stewards. We can no longer put this off to future generations." He also informed the commission that if the findings identified over the next few months support the need for a complete restoration he would like to put a bond request forward to the legislature in the 2012 legislative session that would be used for the restoration of the Capitol.

The State Capitol Preservation Commission was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the commission.

The Art Subcommittee was formed in 2015 to review and make recommendations about the preservation, placement, and use of art in the Capitol building. The subcommittee held several public input meetings throughout November and December of 2015. In February 2016, the subcommittee recommended that two paintings: "The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux" by David Francis Millet and "Father Hennepin at the Falls of St. Anthony" by Stephen A. Douglas Volk be moved from the Governor's Reception Room, but remain in the Capitol building.

Laws of Minnesota 2016, chapter 84 slightly revised the duties of the commission to include a directive to reopen the Capitol and reintroduce it to the citizens of Minnesota as well as alterations on how funding may be solicited. Laws of Minn. 2018, chap. 214, art. 2 revised the membership of the commission, and further revised the duties of the commission, following the successful re-opening of the Capitol.

As of 2018, the State Capitol Preservation Commission consists of 24 members, appointed as follows:

• the governor;
• the lieutenant governor;
• the attorney general;
• the chief justice of the Supreme Court, or the chief justice's designee, who shall be a member of the Supreme Court;
• the majority leader of the senate or the majority leader's designee, who shall be a member of the senate;
• the minority leader of the senate or the minority leader's designee, who shall be a member of the senate;
• the speaker of the house or the speaker's designee, who shall be a member of the house of representatives;
• the minority leader of the house of representatives or the minority leader's designee, who shall be a member of the house of representatives;
• two members of the senate, including one member from the majority party appointed by the majority leader and one member from the minority party appointed by the minority leader;
• two members of the house of representatives, including one member appointed by the speaker of the house and one member from the minority party appointed by the minority leader;
• the chair and ranking minority member of the house of representatives committee with jurisdiction over capital investment and the chair and ranking minority member of the senate committee with jurisdiction over capital investment;
• the commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee;
• the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee;
• the executive director of the Minnesota Historical Society or the executive director's designee;
• the executive secretary of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board; and
• four public members appointed by the governor.

The news clippings and documents below contain information on the Art Subcommittee as well.