Lawmakers passed a $425 million bill to finance the state's struggling emergency shelter system that also implemented a new cap on families and changed the qualifications for them to stay.

Representatives have about three dozen amendments to consider Thursday afternoon when they take up the first substantive legislation of the term, a $425 million mini-budget meant to both fund the emergency shelter program and make large-scale changes to the state’s response to family homelessness.

Minnesota House Democrats returned to the state Capitol on Thursday after reaching a power-sharing agreement with Republicans, ending a stalemate that prevented the chamber from conducting official business for more than three weeks.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota House Democratic and GOP leaders reach a power-sharing agreement to end a 3-week stalemate.