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Veterans Services Division

FOURTH MEETING

2011-2012 Regular Session - Monday, February 14, 2011

STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION

VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Anderson B, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:31pm. On February 14, 2011, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


Anderson, Bruce, Chair
Kriesel, John, VC
Koenen, Lyle
Anzelc, Tom
Davids, Greg
Dettmer, Bob
Falk, Andrew
Kahn, Phyllis
Kath, Kory
LeMieur, Mike
Lohmer, Kathy
O'Driscoll, Tim
Persell, John


Representative Lohmer was excused.

A quorum was NOT present at the beginning of the meeting.

HF 226 Fillmore County specified as one location for a new veterans cemetery.

A quorum was present.

Rep. Davids moves HF 226 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Capitol Investments Committee.

Rep. Davids introduced the H0226DE4 amendment.

Testifying:
Reggie Worlds, MN Department of Veterans Affairs
David Patrick Swantek, MN Department of Veterans Affairs

Chair Anderson, B. temporarily laid over HF 226 and the H0226DE4 amendment.

HF 384 Campus veterans representative program sunset repealed.

Rep. Dettmer moved HF 384 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the State Government Finance Committee.

Testifying:
Geoff Dittberner, Vice President of MSCSA
Bill Johnson, a student at Hennepin Technical College.
Donald Pfeffer, Director, Higher Education Veterans Programs for the MN Dept of Veterans Affairs.
Lauri Brooke - Becker County Veterans Service Officer
Joseph Butler - President, Minnesota State University Moorhead Veterans Club
Jason Johnson, Army Veteran
Jessica Jackson, Army Veteran
Nicole Meulemans, Director of Student Life at Dakota County Technical College.
William Johnson - non-traditional student - Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN
Kim Wooster, University of Minnesota SVA
Todd Kubinski, MACVSO
Nathan D. Piloe, MACVSO, Fillmore CVSO
Andrew Spacth, MN State University Student Association

Chair Anderson, B. moved HF 384 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the State Government Finance Committee.

THE MOTION PREVAILED

Overview of Defending the Blue Line Organization

Testifying:
Dan Larson, Advisory Board, Defending the Blue Line
Shane Hudella, Master Sergeant, Founder and president of Defending the Blue Line
TSgt’s John and Heather Villegas, Parents, Defending the Blue Line

Continued testimony on HF 226 Fillmore County specified as one location for a new veterans cemetery.

Rep. Davids presented the H0226A2 amendment to amendment H0226DE4.

Chair Anderson, B moved the H0226A2 amendment to the H0226DE4 amendment.

THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENTMENT WAS ADOBTED.

Chair Anderson, B. moved the H0226DE4 amendment, as amended, to HF 226.

THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Anderson moved HF 226, as amended, be recommend to pass and be re- referred to the State Government Finance Committee.

THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Overview of Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

Testifying:
Kathy Vitalis, Executive Director, MACV
Jill Laurence, Board Member, MACV
Elmer Duncan, Veteran
Robert Thomes, Veteran

Representative O’Driscoll moved approval of the minutes of January 31, 2010. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.


The meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm.



Representative Bruce Anderson, Chair




Brian Theis, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF226 (Davids) - Veterans cemetery planning requirements changed, Fillmore County specified as one location for a new veterans cemetery, and money appropriated.
  • HF384 (Dettmer) - Campus veterans representative program sunset repealed.

Overview by Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans: Executive Director Kathy Vitalis, Board Member Jill Laurence, Veteran Elmer Duncan and Veteran Robert Thomes
Overview of Defending The Blue Line Organization: Dan Larsen, Advisory Board, and Shane Hudella, Master Seargeant, Founder and TSgt's John and Heather Villegas, and their son Christian
Testifying on HF 384:
Geoff Dittberner, Vice President of MSCSA
Bill Johnson, a student at Hennepin Technical College
Jason Johnson, Army Veteran
Jessica Jackson, Army Veteran
Nicole Meulemans, Director of Student Life at Dakota County Technical College
Lauri Brooke, Becker County Veterans Service Officer
Joseph Butler, President, Minnesota State University Moorhead Veterans Club. Twelve year Minnesota National Guard Veteran and student at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Donald Pfeffer, Director, Higher Education Veterans Programs for the MN Dept of Veterans Affairs.
William Johnson - non traditional student - Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN