There were eight bills heard in three committees this week. The Veterans related budget bills are expected to be released by the House and Senate next week.

Monday

On Monday, the House Veterans Affairs Division wrapped up their work for this year’s session after hearing a presentation from Neal Loidolt, the new President and CEO of Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. Chairman Dettmer thanked the committee members and staff for their hard work over the last few months. In the end, the committee heard 42 bills.

Tuesday

State Government Finance

• HF 127 (Dettmer): This bill helps fund the Vietnam: Minnesota Remembers project that Twin Cities Public Television is producing. It was laid over for possible inclusion in the State Government Finance Omnibus budget bill.
• HF 2164 (Howe): This bill expands the list of uses of funds from the “Support Our Troops” account to include reimbursing the Department of Veterans Affairs for uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents for whom the Commissioner waives all or a portion of the State Veterans Cemetery burial fee. It also instructs MDVA to develop a policy, eligibility standards, and application forms for requests to waive or reduce eligible dependent burial fees. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the State Government Finance Omnibus budget bill.
• The Commerce and Regulatory Reform committee heard HF 1209 authored by Rep. Cornish. This bill would require businesses to disclose to Veterans that they may be able to receive the same services at no-charge from Veterans Service Organizations. It would also create a $1,000 fine for law violators. It was approved and re-referred to State Government Finance.

Thursday

Public Safety and Security

• HF 1892 (Howe): This bill extends the current misdemeanor offense of impersonating a military officer to impersonating any member of the military or a veteran. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Public Safety and Security Omnibus bill.
  

State Government Finance

• HF 79 (Davids): This legislation would provide state funding and begin the steps to build and operate a new Minnesota Veterans Home in Fillmore County. It was passed and re-referred to the Capital Investment committee.

Friday

State Government Finance

• HF 755 (Dettmer): This bill would authorize $250,000 in funding for the Minnesota Medal of Honor memorial on the Capitol grounds. The bill was passed and re-referred to the Capital Investment committee.
• HF 1109 (Miller): This bill would provide state funding for the building and operation of Veterans homes in Montevideo and Bemidji. It was passed and re-referred to the Capital Investment committee.
• HF 1925 (Jurgens): This legislation would provide asset preservation money for the Minnesota Veterans Home – Hastings. It was passed and re-referred to the Capital Investment committee.