Minnesota Agencies

The Legislative Commission on Data Practices and Personal Data Privacy was established to study issues relating to government data practices and individuals' personal data privacy rights and to review legislation impacting data practices, data security, and personal data privacy.

The commission shall: review and provide the legislature with research and analysis of emerging issues relating to government data practices and security and privacy of personal data; review and make recommendations on legislative proposals relating to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; and review and make recommendations on legislative proposals impacting personal data privacy rights, data security, and other related issues.

The creation of the commission was championed by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, who held a long-term interest in the issues surrounding data practices and privacy. The Commission held its first meeting on July 8, 2014.

Laws of Minnesota 2017, chapter 4, article 2, section 2 amended the Commission's sunset date, changing it from June 30, 2017 to June 30, 2019.

The commission's expiration date was not extended in the 2019 session. However, the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) passed a resolution in June 2019 to establish an LCC Subcommittee on Data Practices. The LCC Subcommittee on Data Practices continued the work of the commission from June 19, 2019 to January 1, 2021.

In 2021 the Legislature re-established the Legislative Commission on Data Practices as a fully funded and independent legislative panel. On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the commission had its first meeting since 2019. The commission intends to meet as often as possible before the start of the 2022 legislative session.

The commission consists of four senators appointed by the Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker.

As of September, 2021, members are the following: 

• Representative Jamie Becker-Finn, Chair
• Representative Kaohly Vang Her
• Representative Eric Lucero
• Representative Peggy Scott
• Senator Karla Bigham
• Senator Jim Carlson
• Senator Warren Limmer, Vice Chair
• Senator Andrew Mathews

The commission elects a chair and may elect other officers as it determines are necessary. The chair alternates between a member of the senate and a member of the house of representatives in January of each odd-numbered year.