The work on Veterans legislation ramped up last week with four bills heard in committees. Also, MDVA presented to two committees. Even more bills will be heard this week.

The House Veterans and Military Affairs met last Monday to hear budget presentations from MDVA and the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs.

Additionally, the committee heard HF284. This bill is authored by Rep. Matt Norris of Blaine and would provide funding to the Helmets to Hard Hats program. This initiative connects Veterans and service members with construction careers. The bill was approved with an amendment for reporting guidelines and re-referred to the Labor and Industry committee.

Following MDVA’s presentation to the Veterans and Military Affairs committee, Commissioner Herke shared the agency’s bonding priorities with the Capital Investment committee. These requests include a rehabilitation of the Hastings Veterans Home and asset preservation for many infrastructure needs for MDVA facilities throughout the state, including renovation of Building 16 at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.

On Wednesday, the House Human Services Policy committee heard HF732 by Rep. Kaohly Her of St. Paul. This bill would change current policy so that individuals with “unearned income” won’t be required to pay their entire benefit check besides a $121 personal allowance. These “unearned income” includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Retirement Survivors & Disability Insurance (RSDI), Veterans benefits or other similar benefits that could cause trouble in receiving housing support. The bill was approved by the committee and re-referred to Human Services Finance.

The Senate Tax committee heard two Veterans related bills on Thursday. SF121 authored by Sen. Carla Nelson of Rochester would create a property tax exemption for properties owned by Congressionally Chartered Veterans Service Organizations like the VFW and American Legion. SF772 authored by Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury would amend the disabled Veterans homestead market value exclusion to increase the exclusions from $150,000 to $165,000 on the low end and from $300,000 to $330,000 for the maximum benefit. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in a tax bill.

This week the House Veterans and Military Affairs committee will meet on Monday and hear six bills including two that increase the scope of the post-9/11 Veteran service bonus. More committees may hear other Veterans legislation as agendas are established.