SEVENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH 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 26, 2025, in Room G23 of the Capitol Building. A quorum was present.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

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

Representative Feist moved the minutes of March 19, 2025 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1042 (Moller) Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit authority amended to investigate offenses that occur on state-owned military installations.

Co-Chair Bliss moved HF1042 be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

Testifiers:
Sheriff Scott Hable, Renville County

Co-Chair Bliss renewed the motion that HF1042 be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2444 (Bliss and Xiong) Department of Military Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs budget established, accreditation and disclosure requirements for providers of veterans benefits services modified, memorial plague on State Capitol grounds required, and money appropriated.

The following individuals gave a presentation on HF 2444, the Governor’s budget and policy recommendations for the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs:

Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Athman, Director of operations, Department of Military Affairs
Brad Lindsay, Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs
Ben Johnson, Deputy commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs
Eric Meittunen, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs for Veterans Healthcare
Kristy Janigo, Commanders Task Force

HF2338 (Olson) Military affairs; pay and allowances modified, and pension offset stipends established.

Vice Co-Chair Olson moved HF2338 before the committee.

Testifier:
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Athman, Director of Operations, Department of Military Affairs

Co-Chair Bliss laid over HF2338 for possible inclusion in a division omnibus.

Vice Co-Chair Olson assumed the gavel at 9:07 AM.

HF2410 (Bliss) Continued education benefits provided to surviving spouses who remarry.

Co-Chair Bliss moved HF2410 before the committee.

Testifier:
Leah Patton, Executive Director, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition

Co-Chair Bliss laid over hF24120 for possible inclusion in a division omnibus.


The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 AM.





Representative Bliss, Co-Chair




Alli Winter, Committee Legislative Assistant