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Veterans Affairs Division

SEVENTH MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Friday, February 12, 2010

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

VETERANS AFFAIRS DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Koenen, Chair of the Veteran Affairs Committee, called the seventh meeting to order at 8:34 AM on Friday, February 12, 2010 in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

KOENEN, Chair
NEWTON, Vice-Chair
DETTMER, Republican Lead
DOTY
FAUST
LIEDER
MAGNUS
OTREMBA
SANDERS
SEVERSON

A quorum was present.

Representative Dettmer moved approval of the minutes from March 20, 2009. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

Representative Newton moved HF 2538 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.

HF 2538 (Ward) relating to veterans: designating September 16 of each year as American Legion Day

Representative Ward with the assistance of Rep. Newton explained HF 2538 to the committee and took questions from the members.

Testifying on behalf of HF 2538 were:

Roger Bahl, Department Legislative Chairman, American Legion

Representative Newton renewed his motion that HF 2538 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Representative Severson moved HF 2808 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.

HF 2808 (Severson) relating to veterans; providing courts the option for stay of adjudication for military members and veterans diagnosed as suffering from a qualifying psychological injury or condition

Representative Severson moves to amend HF 2808 as follows (H2808A1);

Page 2, line 2, delete "irrespective"
Page 2, line 3, delete "of" and insert "notwithstanding section 609.132 and"
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Rep. Severson explained HF 2808 to the committee.

Representative Severson moved that HF 2808, as amended, be Laid over.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Representative Severson moved HF 2809 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.

HF 2809 (Severson) relating to veterans; broadening eligibility for the bid preference program for designated veteran-owned small businesses bidding for state contracts for god and services

Representative Severson explained HF 2809 to the committee and took questions from the members.

Testifying on in favor of HF 2809

Jerry Kyser, Chairman, United Veterans Legislative Council of Minnesota
Jim Rhodes, Government Relations, Department of Administration

Representative Severson renewed his motion that HF 2809, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Newton moved HF 2908 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.

HF 2908 (Sterner) urging payment of the Federal Respite Leave Benefit for members of the 1st of the 34th Brigade of the Minnesota National Guard who served in Iraq during the Troop Surge of 2007.

Representative Sterner explained HF 2908 to the committee and took questions from the members.

Testifying for HF 2908 was:

Colonel Eric Ahlness, Department of Military Affairs


Representative Newton renewed his motion that HF 2908 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.



The meeting adjourned at 9:24 AM.



___________________________________________
REP. LYLE KOENEN, Chair




___________________________________________
Mary M. Larson, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF2538 (Ward) - American Legion Day designated as September 16 of each year.
  • HF2808 (Severson) - Courts provided the option for stay of adjudication for military members and veterans diagnosed as suffering from a psychological injury or condition.
  • HF2809 (Severson) - Veteran-owned small business bid preference program eligibility broadened for goods and services.
  • HF2908 (Sterner) - Federal Respite Leave Benefit payment urged for the members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Division of the Minnesota National Guard who served in Iraq during the Troop Surge of 2007.