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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.

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Total Days Served: 15162

SESSIONS SERVED

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 52

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

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.

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 52

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: South Saint Paul

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

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:

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013

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

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011

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

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011

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

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

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

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

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

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003

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

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

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

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

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

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

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

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

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

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993

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

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991

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

Body: Senate

District: 39

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991

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

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74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 39B

Elected: 11/6/1984

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987

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

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 39B

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985

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

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983

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)

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71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/7/1978

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981

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

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/2/1979

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Education
Labor-Management Relations

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69th Legislative Session (1975-1976)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 52A

Elected: 11/5/1974

Residence: South Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/1975 to 1/3/1977

Counties Represented: Dakota

Occupation: Business

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Governmental Operations
Labor-Management Relations

OTHER INFORMATION

Senate Photos

The photos in this collection were 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.

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.

District Files

District File - 2002 District 39
District File - 2003 District 39
District File - 2004 District 39
District File - 2005 District 39
District File - 2006 District 39
District File - 2007 District 39
District File - 2008 District 39
District File - 2009 District 39

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

Legislators Past & Present Home

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Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 645 State Office Building, Saint Paul, MN 55155