Current Office: Representative
First Elected: 11/02/2004
Next Election: 2012
Party: Democratic/Farmer/Labor

General

Gender: Female
Family: Husband: Mark; 2 Children: Colin, Sophie
Birth date: 05/27/1970
Birthplace: Fridley, MN
Home City: Brooklyn Park MN
Religion: Catholic

Education

JD, University of Minnesota Law School, Twin Cities, 1995 BA, Political Science/Philosophy, Boston University, 1991

Profession

Vice President, John's Auto Parts, 2003-present Attorney, Rider, Bennett, Egan and Arundel, 2000-2002 Owner, Melissa A. Hortman, Attorney at Law, Practicing Attorney, 1997-2000 Attorney, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 1996-1997 Law Clerk, Judge John Sommerville, Hennepin County, 1996 Legislative Correspondent, United States Senator John Kerry, 1991-1992 Legislative Intern, United States Senator Al Gore, 1991 Businessperson

Committees

Civil Law
Division on Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Division on Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight
Redistricting
Taxes

HF 2795 Expands Gambling
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1921 Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2341 Requires Physician to be Present When Abortion Drugs are Administered
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

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HF 2795 Expands Gambling
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1921 Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2341 Requires Physician to be Present When Abortion Drugs are Administered
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 2337 Repeals Business Property Taxes
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2083 Requires state to use reserves to pay school debt
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 1467 Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 25 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 86 Carbon Dioxide Emissions Ban Removal
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1047 2012-2013 Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 40 Act Amending Licensing and Codes for Education
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1 Environmental Review Requirements
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 1 2010-2011 Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 885 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 1362 Health Budget
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 1362 Health Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 885 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

State Funding for Abortions
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 6 2008 Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 6 2008 Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Brod Amendment: Voter Registration Training
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 238 Smoking Ban
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 646 Cyber-Bullying
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 238 Smoking Ban
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 886 Capital Improvement Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 1443 Voter Registration Photo ID
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 4142 Property Tax - Rebate Checks
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

H 2480A99 Referendum for Hennepin County Sales Tax Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2680 Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

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