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Rest, Ann H.

Official Senate Web Page Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1985-2000 (District 46A); Senate 2001-2002 (District 46); Senate 2003-2012 (District 45); Senate 2013-2022 (District 45); Senate 2023-Present (District 43)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Hennepin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 4/24/1942

Birth Place: Norfolk, Virginia

Birth County:

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Female

Religion: Methodist

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): New Hope

Occupation (when first elected): Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), Former Teacher, English and Literature, Robbinsdale School System, 9 Years

EDUCATION

Rich Township High School, Park Forest, Illinois; Secondary; Was a Foreign Exchange Student in Norway in 1959
Northwestern University, Illinois; B.A.; Latin and Greek, Named Woodrow Wilson Fellow, 1964
University of Chicago; M.A.; Classical Languages and Literature (Latin and Greek)
University of Minnesota; M.B.T.; Business Taxation
Harvard University; M.A.T.; English
Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government; M.P.A.; Bush Fellowship, 1991

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board; ? to 20??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Great Lakes Commission; ? to 20??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation; 19?? to 19??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Commission on the Economic Status of Women; 19?? to 19??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission; 2006 to 12/31/2008 [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse:
Children: One child: Susan Lillnette (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: tax policy, education funding, transportation, transit.

She sought the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement for Minnesota Secretary of State in 1998. She withdrew from the race in March 1998.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

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Total Days Served: 14724

SESSIONS SERVED

94th Legislative Session (2025-2026) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/14/2025

Body: Senate

District: 43

Elected: 11/8/2022

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/2023 to 1/3/2027
Oath Date: 1/2/2023

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Joint and Permanent Rules
Taxes (Chair) [She was chair beginning 2/3/2025. She was co-chair from 1/14/2025 to 2/3/2025.]

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore - She was President Pro Tempore starting February 3, 2025.

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93rd Legislative Session (2023-2024)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2023

Body: Senate

District: 43

Elected: 11/8/2022

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/2023 to 1/3/2027
Oath Date: 1/3/2023

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Elections
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Rules and Administration
Taxes (Chair)

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore

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92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023
Oath Date: 1/5/2021

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2021 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Housing Finance and Policy
Rules and Administration
Taxes

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91st Legislative Session (2019-2020) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2019 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2019 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 2nd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
2020 3rd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 3rd Sp.S. - Author
2020 7th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 7th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Rules and Administration
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections
Taxes

Leadership Position: Minority Whip

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Rules and Administration
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections
Taxes

Leadership Position: Minority Whip

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division
Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development
Taxes
Taxes: Tax Reform Division (Chair)
Transportation and Public Safety

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance: State Departments and Veterans Division
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Division
Rules and Administration: Elections
Taxes
Taxes: Tax Reform Division (Chair)
Transportation and Public Safety

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Rules and Administration: Redistricting
Taxes
Transportation

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance: State Government Budget Division
Finance: Transportation Budget and Policy Division
Finance: Transportation Budget and Policy Division: Transit Subdivision
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight (Chair)
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Elections
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Gaming
Taxes
Transportation
Transportation: Airways, Waterways and Railways (Chair)

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: None Listed

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2007 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2007 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications
Finance: State Government Budget Division
Finance: Transportation Budget and Policy Division
Finance: Transportation Budget and Policy Division: Airways, Waterways and Railways (Chair)
Finance: Transportation Budget and Policy Division: Transit Subdivision
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight (Chair)
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Elections
State and Local Government Operations and Oversight: Gaming
Transportation
Transportation: Airways, Waterways and Railways (Chair)
Transportation: Transit Subdivision

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming
Commerce
Finance: Transportation Budget Division
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Transportation

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

Session Notes: The 2005-2006 Directory (Red Book) incorrectly lists her as a member of the Data Practices subcommittee.

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 45

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004 [She was a member in 2004 only.]
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004 [She was a member in 2004 only.]
Finance: State Government Budget Division [She was a member in 2003 only.]
Finance: Transportation Policy and Budget Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Data Practices
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 46

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2002 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2002 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Education
Education: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division
Education: Technology
Rules and Administration: Redistricting
State and Local Government Operations
Taxes
Taxes: Property Tax Budget Division

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/4/1999 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/5/1999

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Minutes
Taxes Minutes
Taxes: Property Taxes Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 1/3/1999
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Elections
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs (Chair)
Taxes Minutes
Taxes: Property Tax and Tax Increment Financing Division Minutes

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/8/1994

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/1995 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/3/1995

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Rules and Legislative Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration: Administration
Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Property Tax and Tax Increment Financing Division
Taxes: Sales and Income Tax Division
Ways and Means

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/1/1995
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Housing
Rules and Legislative Administration
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Property Tax
Taxes: State Taxes
Ways and Means

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Justice Division
Redistricting
Rules and Legislative Administration
Taxes
Taxes: Property Tax
Taxes: State Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)

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76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/8/1988

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/2/1989 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/3/1989

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Education
Education: Education Finance Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Justice Division
Judiciary: Criminal Justice Division: Children's Justice
Rules and Legislative Administration
Taxes
Taxes: Property Tax (Chair)
Taxes: Tax Laws

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/1/1989
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.)

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Future and Technology
Future and Technology: Software (Chair)
Future and Technology: Telecommunication
Judiciary
Judiciary: Crime and Family Law Division
Judiciary: Revisor's (Chair)
Judiciary: Sentencing Guidelines
Metropolitan Affairs
Metropolitan Affairs: Finance (Chair)
Metropolitan Affairs: Government Structure
Taxes
Taxes: Tax Law Division

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: House

District: 46A

Elected: 11/6/1984

Residence: New Hope

Term of Office: 1/7/1985 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/8/1985

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), Former Teacher, English and Literature, Robbinsdale School System, 9 Years

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Crime and Family Law
Crime and Family Law: Criminal Justice
Judiciary
Labor-Management Relations

Session Notes: Her margin of victory over Dorothy I. Hokr was only 60 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount she was declared the winner by 56 votes.

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

2000 (46A)

2001 (46)

2002 (46)

2003 (45)

2004 (45)

2005 (45)

2006 (45)

2007 (45)

2008 (45)

2009 (45)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Rep. Aisha Gomez and Sen. Ann Rest confer before gaveling in the May 10 meeting of the taxes conference committee. 5/10/2024. Photo credit: Andrew VonBank, House Public Information Services.

Grant Hauschild and Ann Rest discuss senate business during a floor session. Grant Hauschild is a Democrat from Hermantown and Ann Rest is a Democrat from New Hope. 3/14/2023. Photo credit: A.J. Olmscheid, Senate Media Services.

Ann Rest, Carrie Ruud, and Sandra Pappas discuss senate business on the Senate floor. Ann Rest is a Democrat from New Hope, Carrie Ruud is a Republican from Breezy Point, and Sandra Pappas is a Democrat from St. Paul. 1/20/2015. Photo credit: David Oakes, Senate Media Services.

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