This last week, all of the action related to Veterans took place in the House. The chamber passed supplemental budget bills and released its bonding bill.

The House finished passing all of its supplemental budget bills. The Senate previously passed its budget bill the week before. It is expected that a conference committee will be formed on Monday, May 7. The House supplemental budget bills included provisions for three new Veterans homes, renaming bridges to honor Veterans and money to help Veterans at the Centers for Independent Living.

Rep. Dean Urdahl unveiled his bonding bill, which funds projects at buildings and assets owned by the state throughout Minnesota. MDVA was given $10 million for asset preservation for needed repairs at the state Veterans homes and cemeteries. The appropriation is $3 million dollars less than what Governor Dayton included in his bonding proposal. The bill was passed by the Capital Investment committee and re-referred to the committee on Ways and Means.

The Senate passed two Veterans related bills unanimously. SF 3004 is authored by Senator Mark Johnson. It would allow Veteran status to be collected by the Secretary of State's office on applications for appointments to state agencies, boards, councils, commissions and task forces if the Veteran so chooses. SF 3262 would allow for designation of Purple Heart Cities and Counties. It would also allow the local government to reserve parking spaces for Purple Heart recipients and proclaims August 7th as Purple Heart Day. Both of these bills are awaiting a floor vote in the Minnesota House of Representatives.