STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
Veterans Affairs Division
MINUTES
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 12:47 on March 9, 2015, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DETTMER, Bob Chair
HANCOCK, Dave Vice Chair
DAVIDS, Greg
FISCHER, Peter
LUECK, Dale
NEWTON, Jerry
O’DRISCOLL, Tim
PERSELL, John
PUGH, Cindy
WARD, JoAnn
Members excused:
LESCH, John
A quorum was present.
Representative Greg Davids moved to approve the minutes of March 2, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer moved to recommend that HF 1296 be re-referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services Finance.
HF 1296 Anderson, P., Stearns County provided grant for administrative funding to support a service provider serving veterans, and money appropriated.
Representative Paul Anderson introduced HF 1296.
Mark Sizer, the Human Services Administrator for Stearns County, testified in favor of HF 1296.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed his motion to recommend HF 1296 be re-referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer moved to recommend HF 705 be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
HF 705 Howe, Congressionally chartered veterans organization property provided reduced classification rate.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer moved the H0705A1 Amendment.
Representative Jeff Howe explained the H0705A1 Amendment.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed his motion to adopt to H0705A1 Amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Jeff Howe introduced HF 705.
Tom Hagen, Post Service Officer at Waseca Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), testified in favor of HF 705 and how this would help VFW posts across the state.
Steve Hinze, Minnesota House of Representatives Research Staff, testified about legislation passed a few years ago that gave the VFW certain tax breaks.
Chip Sharratt, Vice President of the Minnesota Council of the Navy League of the United States, testified about increasing interest among returning veterans in the VFW and other military organization.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed his motion to recommend HF 705, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer moved to recommend HF 745 be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.
HF 745 Howe, Veterans preference procedures and rights modified.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer moved the H0745A1 Amendment.
Representative Jeff Howe explained the H0745A1 Amendment.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed his motion to adopt to H0745A1 Amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Jeff Howe introduced HF 745.
Joe Kelly, Chris Stroner’s attorney in City of Hopkins vs. Chris Stroner, testified about the legal background leading up to HF 745.
Chris Stroner, a veteran, testified about the legal case he was involved in (City of Hopkins vs. Chris Stroner) after his employment with the City of Hopkins was terminated and how the changes that HF 745 would make would improve situations like his.
Brian Balfanz testified that he would like the H0745A1 Amendment removed.
Allen Bradford testified in favor of HF 745.
Patricia Beety, League of Minnesota Cities, testified about actions that cities are already taking in relation to veteran’s preference. She also testified against HF 745 because of the financial impact this legislation may have on cities.
Matt Hilgart, Association of Minnesota Counties, echoed the
Grace Kelehen, Minnesota School Boards Association, testified against HF 745 (2:09)
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed his motion to recommend HF 745, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Dave Hancock moved to recommend HF 1414 be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance.
HF 1414 Hancock, Montevideo and Bemidji; veteran homes funding provided, nonstate contributions allowed, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Representative Hancock moved the A1414A1 Amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Dave Hancock introduced HF 1414.
Representative Tim Miller testified in favor of HF 1414.
Robin Gaustad, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified about Minnesota’s existing veteran’s homes and the possibility of future expansion.
Representative Dave Hancock testified about the need to provide appropriate care for veterans across the state.
Representative Tim Miller testified that Montevideo and Bemidji have a need for veteran homes and have advanced far enough in the process to show complete applications.
Chair Representative Bob Dettmer renewed the motion to recommend HF 1414, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The Veterans Affairs Division adjourned at 2:32 PM.
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair
Jeremiah Wingstedt, Committee Legislative Assistant