Name Search:

Metzen, James P.

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1975-82 (District 52A); House 1983-86 (District 39B); Senate 1987-2012 (District 39); Senate 2013-2016 (District 52)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Dakota

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 10/??/1943

Birth Place: South Saint Paul, Minnesota

Birth County: Dakota

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death: 7/11/2016

Gender: Male

Religion: Protestant

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): South Saint Paul

Occupation (when first elected): Business

EDUCATION

South Saint Paul High School; Secondary;
University of Minnesota; Attended College;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Council/Aldermen: South Saint Paul, Minnesota (City Council); 1967 to 1973 [Elected]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Sandie
Children: Two children: Jeffrey and John (sons)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: finance, employment, education, taxes, economic development.

He played hockey at the University of Minnesota.

His father served as a County Commissioner and a City Council member.

Click to view

Total Days Served: 15163

SESSIONS SERVED

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 52

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 7/11/2016 (unfinished term)
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Business

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Commerce (Chair)
Finance: State Departments and Veterans Budget Division
Finance: Veterans and Military Affairs Subdivision
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees Subcommittee
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules Subcommittee

Reason for unfinished term: Death

Session Notes: He died while in office on July 11, 2016.

Click to view

88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 52

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 7/11/2016 (unfinished term)
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Business

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2013 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Commerce (Chair)
Finance: State Departments and Veterans Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules Subcommittee

Reason for unfinished term:

Click to view

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2011 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Jobs and Economic Growth

Click to view

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker; Vice-President of Community Affairs, Key Community Bank

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs (Chair)
Capital Investment
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Finance
Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules

Leadership Position: President of the Senate

Click to view

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker; Vice President of Community Affairs, Key Community Bank, Inver Grove Heights

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs (Chair)
Capital Investment
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Finance
Finance: Economic Development Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules

Leadership Position: President of the Senate

Click to view

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

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:

Capital Investment
Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection, Banking and Insurance
Commerce: Liquor
Finance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: State Government Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget (Chair)

Leadership Position: President of the Senate

Click to view

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Consumer Protection and Banking
Commerce and Utilities-2003/Commerce-2004: Liquor
Finance: State Government Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Referral
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget (Chair)

Leadership Position: President of the Senate

Click to view

82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Finance
Finance: State Government, Economic Development and Judiciary Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities (Chair)
Transportation

Click to view

81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Businessperson

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Governmental Operations and Veterans (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Rulemaking - Ex Officio Member
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Veterans - Ex Officio Member
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Rules and Administration
State Government Finance

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Businessperson

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Consumer Protection and Regulated Industries
Governmental Operations and Veterans (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Rulemaking - Ex Officio Member
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Veterans - Ex Officio Member
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Rules and Administration
State Government Finance

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Banking (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Veterans (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Reform and Innovation
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Rulemaking
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Veterans
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Employment
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division
Rules and Administration

Click to view

78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Consumer Protection
Commerce and Consumer Protection: Banking (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Reform (Chair)
Governmental Operations and Reform: Reform and Innovation
Governmental Operations and Reform: Rulemaking
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Employment
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Jobs, Energy and Community Development Finance Division
Rules and Administration
Veterans and General Legislation

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Consumer Protection/Regulated Industries (Liquor)
Economic Development and Housing (Chair)
Finance
Finance: Agriculture/Transportation/Regulation Division
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration

Click to view

76th Legislative Session (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banker

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Regulated Industries
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Agriculture/Transportation and Semi-States Division
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government: Metropolitan Government (Chair)
Transportation
Transportation: Transit

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banking

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking (Chair)
Commerce: Regulated Industries
Finance
Finance: Agriculture/Transportation and Semi-States Division
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government: Metropolitan Government
Transportation
Transportation: Transit

Click to view

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: House

District: 39B

Elected: 11/6/1984

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Banking/Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation and Semi-States Division
Financial Institutions and Insurance
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Gambling and Related Issues
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs

Click to view

73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: House

District: 39B

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/6/1985
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Agriculture, Transportation, Semi-State Division
Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Development
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Banking (Chair)
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Elections
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Gaming Division (Chair)

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1981

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
Oath Date: 1/6/1981

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Joint Claims (Chair)
Appropriations: Semi-State Division
Commerce and Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Consumer Affairs and Tourism
Commerce and Economic Development: Economic Development
Commerce and Economic Development: Liquor
Commerce and Economic Development: Oil Decontrol Task Force
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Banking (Chair)

Click to view

71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1979

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/7/1978

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/1979 to 1/4/1981
Oath Date: 1/3/1979

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Education Division
Appropriations: Semi-State Division
Commerce, Economic Development and Housing
Commerce, Economic Development and Housing: Tourism and Consumer Protection
Labor-Management Relations
Labor-Management Relations: Negotiation, General Labor and Legislation
Rules and Legislative Administration [He served in 1979 only.]

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1977

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 12/31/1978
Oath Date: 1/4/1977

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Education
Labor-Management Relations

Click to view

69th Legislative Session (1975-1976)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1975

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/5/1974

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1975 to 1/2/1977
Oath Date: 1/7/1975

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Business

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Governmental Operations
Labor-Management Relations

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Coolican, J. Patrick. "Longtime Legislator Prided Himself on Friendships." Star Tribune, July 13, 2016.
Bierschbach, Brianna. "State Sen. Jim Metzen Dies at 72; Is Remembered as a Defuser of Partisanship." MinnPost, July 12, 2016.
Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. and Ferraro, Nick. "Longtime South St. Paul Sen. Jim Metzen Dies at 72." Pioneer Press, July 12, 2016.

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 (39)

2001 (39)

2002 (39)

2003 (39)

2004 (39)

2005 (39)

2006 (39)

2007 (39)

2008 (39)

2009 (39)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Senator James Metzen speaks in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator James Metzen speaks in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Legislators Past & Present Home

Name Search:

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155