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Minnesota House of Representatives

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

FIFTH MEETING

2025-2026 Regular Session - Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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


Veteran and Military Affairs Division

MINUTES

Representative Bliss, Chair of the Veteran and Military Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM, on ¬¬¬¬¬March 12, 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 Hemmingsen- Jaeger moved the minutes of March 5, 2025 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1778 (Johnson, W.) Reports on grants issued by the commissioner of veterans affairs required.

Chair Bliss moved HF1778 before the Division.

Testifier:
Mark Wiens, Former State Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives

Chair Bliss laid HF1778 over for possible inclusion.

HF1997 (Warwas) Fishing with Vets grant funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.

Chair Bliss moved HF 1997 before the Division.

Testifiers:
Bob Sterns, Director of Operations, Fishing with Vets
Jermey Colson, President of Fishing with Vets, United States Marine Corps
Ron Knudson, Veteran Participant and Fundraising Volunteer, United States Navy

Chair Bliss laid HF1997 over for possible inclusion.

HF1225 (Skraba) All-terrain vehicle registration fee eliminated for veterans with a total service-connected disability.

Chair Bliss moved HF1225 be re-referred to the Environment and Natural Recourses Finance and Policy Committee.

Representative Skraba presented HF 1225.

Chair Bliss renewed the motion to re-refer HF1225 to the Environment and Natural Recourses Finance and Policy Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Olson assumed the gavel at 8:44 AM.

HF840 (Bliss) State veterans cemetery burial fee removed for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans.

Chair Bliss moved HF840 before the Division.

Testifiers:
Dave Swantek, Deputy Director of Memorial Affairs, Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs
Tim Uecker, Veterans Program analyst, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Cole Trace, Government Affairs Liaison, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Chair Bliss laid HF840 over for possible inclusion.


The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 AM.





Representative Bliss, Chair




Alli Winter, Committee Legislative Assistant



















More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1778 (Johnson) - Reports on grants issued by the commissioner of veterans affairs required.
  • HF1225 (Skraba) - All-terrain vehicle registration fee eliminated for veterans with a total service-connected disability.
  • HF1997 (Warwas) - Fishing with Vets grant funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
  • HF840 (Bliss) - State veterans cemetery burial fee removed for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans.
Documents:
Audio:
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House TV Video:
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02:41 - HF1778 (Johnson, W.) Reports on grants issued by the commissioner of veterans affairs required.
06:40 - HF1997 (Warwas) Fishing with Vets grant funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.
24:36 - HF1225 (Skraba) All-terrain vehicle registration fee eliminated for veterans with a total service-connected disability.
28:36 - HF840 (Bliss) State veterans cemetery burial fee removed for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans.
Runs 39 minutes.

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

3. HF 1778 (Johnson, W.) Reports on grants issued by the commissioner of veterans affairs required.

4. HF 1225 (Skraba) All-terrain vehicle registration fee eliminated for veterans with a total service-connected disability.

5. HF 1997 (Warwas) Fishing with Vets grant funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.

6. HF 840 (Bliss) State veterans cemetery burial fee removed for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans.

7. Adjourn

Removed from the agenda: HF 1845 (Cha) Veterans definition expanded to include units operating from Laos and or naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act.

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.