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    Koenen, Lyle J.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 2003-2012 (District 20B); Senate 2012 (District 20); Senate 2013-2016 (District 17)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 6/16/1956
    Birth Place: Willmar, Minnesota
    Birth County: Kandiyohi
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Christian Reformed
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Maynard
    Occupation (when first elected): Farmer

    EDUCATION

    Maynard High School; Secondary;
    Ridgewater College; A.A.; Agriculture, 1976

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Sandy
    Children: Four children
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Senate in the 2000 election.

    He unsuccessfully ran for House District 17A seat in 2018.

    He was a member of the Reformed Church of Clara City, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by Session Weekly, March 14, 2003; Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories, 2005; and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 5110

    SESSIONS SERVED

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

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 17
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
    Occupation:
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Finance: Environment and Energy Budget Division
    • Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Tax Reform Division
    Leadership Position: Majority Whip
    Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 17
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
    Occupation: None Listed
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Environment and Energy
    • Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Development
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Tax Reform Division
    Leadership Position: Majority Whip
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 20
    Elected: 4/10/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 4/18/2012 to 1/7/2013 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation:
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the death of Gary Kubly. He was sworn in on April 18, 2012.

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 4/17/2012 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Transportation
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • State Government Finance: Veterans Services Division Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    • Taxes: Property and Local Tax Division Minutes
    Reason for unfinished term: Elected to other office
    Session Notes: He resigned effective April 17, 2012 in order to take the Senate District 20 seat he won in a special election on April 10, 2012. The Senate seat was vacant due to the death of Gary Kubly. A House special election was not held to replace him.
    term photo
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    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer/School Bus Driver/Bulk Milk Truck Driver
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair) Minutes
    • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    • Taxes: Property and Local Sales Tax Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair) Minutes
    • Health and Human Services: Mental Health Division Minutes
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/2/2004
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    term photo
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    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: Maynard
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Minutes
    • Agriculture Policy Minutes
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance Minutes
    • Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Schutz, Lee Ann. "Complicated Road to the Senate." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, April 20, 2012, p. 18.

    Jones, Jeff. "Farmer Friendly: As One Who Lives Off the Land, Koenen Looks to Improve the Livelihood for Many Rural Minnesotans." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 14, 2003, p. 21.



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

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