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Minnesota House of Representatives

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

THIRD MEETING

2025-2026 Regular Session - Wednesday, February 26, 2025

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION


Veterans and Military Affairs Division

MINUTES

Representative Bliss, Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 8:17 AM, on ¬¬¬¬¬February 26, 2025, in Room G23 of the Capitol Building. A quorum was present.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

BLISS, Matt, Chair
OLSON, Bjorn, Vice Chair
BENNETT, Peggy
CLARDY, Mary Frances
DAVIS, Ben
DURAN, Bidal
FEIST, Sandra
HEMMINGSEN-JAEGER, Amanda
HILL, Josiah
REHRAUER, Kari
REPINSKI, Aaron

Non-voting member present:

XIONG, Jay, Lead

Representative Duran moved the minutes of February 12, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Hill moved the minutes of February 19, 2025, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF 26 (Roach) Governor's power to declare emergency repealed, legislative emergency declaration and extension process established, governor's authority to adopt orders and expedited rules during an emergency repealed, citizen rights protected, and technical corrections made.

Chair Bliss moved HF 26 before the division.

Chair Bliss moved to adopt the A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Bliss laid over HF 26.

HF648 (Skraba) Veterans on the Lake grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

Chair Bliss moved HF 648 before the division.

Testifiers:
Andy Burkenpass, General Manager, Veterans on the Lake
Eric Mayranen, Board Chair, Veterans on the Lake

Chair Bliss laid over HF 648 for possible inclusion in an omnibus.

Veterans on the Lake Appropriation Request Informational Hearing.


Testifiers:
Andy Berkenpass, General Manager, Veterans on the Lake

HF 532 (Bliss) Veteran retreats funding provided, and money appropriated.

Chair Bliss moved HF 532 before the division.

Vice Chair Olson assumed the gavel at 9:03.

Testifiers:
Cara Ruff, Executive Director, Camp Bliss
Ross DeKraay
Jesse Sprint
Kirsten Johnson

Chair Bliss assumed the gavel at 9:24.

Chair Bliss laid over HF 532 for possible inclusion in an omnibus.

HF 492 (Hill) Currently serving military personnel and veterans provided funding for mental health services and outdoor activities, and money appropriated.

Representative Hill moved HF 492 before the division.

Testifiers:
Chris Tetrault, President, Hometown Hero Outdoors
Matthew Deitner, US Army Reserve

Chair Bliss laid over HF 492 for possible inclusion in an omnibus.


The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 AM.





Representative Bliss, Chair




Alli Winter, Committee Legislative Assistant



















More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF26 (Roach) - Governor's power to declare emergency repealed, legislative emergency declaration and extension process established, governor's authority to adopt orders and expedited rules during an emergency repealed, citizen rights protected, and technical corrections made.
  • HF648 (Skraba) - Veterans on the Lake grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF532 (Bliss) - Veteran retreats funding provided, and money appropriated.
  • HF492 (Hill) - Currently serving military personnel and veterans provided funding for mental health services and outdoor activities, and money appropriated.
Documents:
Audio:
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House TV Video:
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02:30 - HF26 (Roach) Governor's power to declare emergency repealed, legislative emergency declaration and extension process established, governor's authority to adopt orders and expedited rules during an emergency repealed, citizen rights protected, and technical corrections made.
22:47 - HF648 (Skraba) Veterans on the Lake grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
38:40 - Veterans on the Lake appropriation request informational hearing.
45:58 - HF532 (Bliss) Veteran retreats funding provided, and money appropriated.
1:07:16 - HF492 (Hill) Currently serving military personnel and veterans provided funding for mental health services and outdoor activities, and money appropriated.
Runs 1 hour, 24 minutes.

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of February 12, 2025 Minutes
3. Approval of February 19, 2025 Minutes
4. HF 26 (Roach) – Governor's power to declare emergency repealed, legislative emergency declaration and extension process established, governor's authority to adopt orders and expedited rules during an emergency repealed, citizen rights protected, and technical corrections made.
5. HF 648 (Skraba) – Veterans on the Lake grant funding provided, and money appropriated.
6. Veterans on the Lake appropriation request informational hearing.
7. HF 532 (Bliss) – Veteran retreats funding provided, and money appropriated.
8. HF 492 (Hill) – Currently serving military personnel and veterans provided funding for mental health services and outdoor activities, and money appropriated.
9. Adjourn

Testimony: Written testimony or requests to testify in person are due via e-mail to Committee Administrator john.hultquist@house.mn.gov no less than 24 hours prior to the start of the committee hearing. In-person testimony may be limited due to committee time constraints. Committee documents will be posted in advance of the hearing.