A few Veteran related bills were heard in the House this week. Also, a Senate committee recommended a commissioner and the Governor released an updated budget plan.

In the House, three bills were heard in three different committees. Judiciary and Civil Law heard HF592 authored by Rep. Shelly Christensen of Stillwater. It would classify homeless Veteran data and authorize a stable housing initiative. The bill was approved by the committee and sent to the House floor. The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform committee heard HF478 authored by Rep. Sandra Feist of New Brighton. This is the Veterans Restorative Justice Act. It was approved by the committee and re-referred to Ways and Means. Finally, HF1794 which grants money to the Construction Careers Foundation for its Helmets to Hardhats program was heard in Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs. Rep. Rep. Luke Frederick of Mankato is the author. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee held a hearing to consider the confirmation of MDVA commissioner Larry Herke. After an opening statement from Herke and some back and forth with committee members, the committee recommended his confirmation unanimously. The next step is a confirmation vote by the entire Senate in the coming weeks.

After the latest budget forecast showed a surplus rather than a deficit, Governor Walz released his supplemental budget proposal. One minor change included an increase to the personal needs allowance for residents of the domiciliary program at the Veterans Homes in Hastings and Minneapolis. The allowance would go from $90 per month to $105. This amount hasn’t been increased since 1996. The original budget proposal had four new funding items that are still included, they are:

• Preventing Veterans suicide
• Ending Veterans homelessness
• The 9/11 and Global War on Terror task force which will hold a remembrance in September marking the 20th anniversary, a definitive history produced in conjunction with the MN Military and Veterans Museum and a traveling exhibit for the state
• Funds to keep staff numbers level to properly serve Minnesota’s Veterans and their families

Next week, the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee is expected to release its budget bill on Wednesday. It will then be heard in committee on Thursday morning.

Other Veterans bills may be heard throughout the week in House and Senate committees.