Another week has been completed at the Minnesota Legislature. Governor Walz unveiled his budget recommendations on Tuesday which is typically the kickoff of budget work. For details regarding MDVA’s budget request, go to the “Budget for One Minnesota” article under the Legislative Affairs page. Wednesday was significant because that marks three months left before the constitutionally set date of adjournment on May 20.

The House Veterans and Military Affairs committee met on Tuesday, Feb. 19 and heard a presentation from the VFW – Minnesota and two Veterans related bills. HF 430 is authored by Rep. Jay Xiong. It appropriates money for the Veterans Defense Project nonprofit to serve Veterans through education, outreach and legal training. The bill was passed and re-referred State Government Finance. The other bill was Chair Rob Ecklund’s HF 998 which provides sentencing guidelines for Veterans charged with criminal offenses related to a service-related disorder. The bill was passed and re-referred to Ways and Means, where it will be sent to Judiciary and Civil Law.

The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met on Thursday, Feb. 21 and heard the three Veterans related bills. SF 1118 is authored by Chair Bruce Anderson and is the companion to Rep. Brian Johnson’s HF 530, which was heard last week in the House Veterans and Military Affairs committee. It appropriates money for a domestic abuse prevention program for Veterans and their families. The bill was approved and re-referred to Judiciary and Public Safety. SF 266 simplifies the definition of Veteran for purposes of administering the Minnesota GI Bill. The measure, authored by Sen. Jerry Newton was laid over for possible inclusion in a Veterans and Military Affairs finance bill. Finally, Sen. Roger Chamberlain’s SF 1153 was heard. This is the companion to HF 998, which is described above. The bill was passed and re-referred to Judiciary and Public Safety.

Next week the House Veterans and Military Affairs committee will hear a presentation of the Governor’s budget proposal for MDVA, as well as the Department of Military Affairs. Following the presentation, it will hear HFs 172, 203 and 889. The Senate Veterans committee will hear SFs 225, 333, 814, 1404 and 1543. That committee is expected to hear the budget presentation at its March 7 meeting.