The eighty-first Minnesota Legislature first convened on January 5, 1999.

The 67 members of the Minnesota Senate were elected during the general election of November 5, 1996, and the 134 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives were elected during the general election of November 3, 1998.

The legislature met in a regular session from January 5, 1999, to May 17, 1999.

A continuation of the regular session was held between February 1, 2000, and May 17, 2000.

There were no special sessions of the 81st Legislature, and the Legislature met for a total of 118 regular legislative days.