Eight Veterans related bills made progress this week as both Veterans and Military Affairs committees in the House and Senate held hearings. Due to scheduling conflicts, this was the first time this year that both committees met since session began on Feb. 11.

First up, the House Capital Investment committee heard HF 3608, authored by Rep. Greg Davids. This bill would provide additional money to the proposed Veterans Home in Preston. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the bonding bill.

The House Veterans and Military Affairs committee heard four bills on Tuesday afternoon.

HF3324, authored by Rep. John Persell, provides funding for a Veterans retreat, called Camp Bliss in Walker. The bill was approved by the committee and re-referred to Ways and Means.

HF 3204, authored by Rep. Dan Fabian would award high school diplomas to Veterans who actively served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The committee approved the bill and re-referred to Education Policy.

HF 3176 authored by Rep. Laurie Pryor would establish a license plate for Air Medal Veterans recipients. It was re-referred to Transportation Finance.

HF 3552 is authored by Rep. Kristin Bahner. It would provide exemptions to plate fees for Motor Vehicles bearing Purple Heart medals license plates. Ryan Sabinish, former State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart testified in favor of the bill. The bill was re-referred to Transportation Finance.

The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee met Thursday morning and heard three bills.

SF 3319 authored by Sen. Mark Johnson is the companion to Rep. Fabian’s HF 3204. The bill was approved and re-referred to the Education committee.

SF 2863 is authored by Sen. Karin Housley and would provide an appropriation to the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp in Washington County. It was laid over for possible inclusion in a supplemental budget bill.

SF 2983 is authored by Sen. Steve Cwodzinski and is the companion to HF 3176. It was re-referred to Transportation.

The Senate Capital Investment committee will meet on Tuesday, March 10 at 8:30 a.m. in 1150 of the Minnesota Senate Building. MDVA will present its bonding proposals to the committee.

The House Veterans and Military Affairs committee will meet on Tuesday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m. in room 120 of the State Capitol. The committee will hear four bills.

The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee is expected to meet on Thursday, March 12 at 8:30 a.m. in room 1100 of the Minnesota Senate Building.