On 29 August 1970 he was appointed Minister of Local Government during the centre-right cabinet Borten, replacing Helge Seip. Rognlien held the position until the cabinet Borten fell in 1971.
In 1970, Rognlien became the Minister of Local Government under the Borten center-right government, succeeding Helge Seip. He remained in this role until the cabinet's downfall in 1971.