STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETIETH SESSION
HOUSE VETERAN AFFAIRS DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM on March 19th, 2018, in Room 5 of the State Office Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DETTMER, Bob - Chair
BLISS, Matt - Vice Chair
ROSENTHAL, Paul - Ranking Minority Member
BECKER-FINN, Jamie
DAVIDS, Greg
FISCHER, Peter
FRANKE, Keith
LEE, Fue
LESCH, John
LUECK, Dale
MAYE-QUADE, Erin
O’DRISCOLL, Tim
O’NEILL, Marion
POSTON, John
PRYOR, Laurie
LESCH, John
Members absent:
Representative Poston moved to approve the minutes of the March 12th, 2018 meeting. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3503 (Torkelson) Disabled veterans' eligibility for homestead value exclusion expanded, and benefit eligibility for a deceased veteran's spouse modified.
Chair Dettmer moved HF3503 be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Representative Torkelson moved the 3503DE-1 Amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Torkelson presented HF3503, as amended.
Cindy Schultz, New Ulm resident, testified in favor of HF3503.
Ben Johnson, Legislative Relations Director, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified about HF3503.
Trent Dilkes, Legislative Director, Disabled Americans Veterans of Minnesota, testified about HF3503.
Jerry Kyser, Chair, United Veterans Legislative Council, testified in favor of HF3503.
Chair Dettmer renewed his motion that HF3503, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3934 (Wills) Military retirement pay subtraction expanded.
Chair Dettmer moved HF3934 be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
Chair Dettmer moved the 3934A-1 Amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Wills presented HF3934, as amended.
Don Sinnwell, veteran, testified in favor of HF3934, as amended.
Chair Dettmer renewed his motion that HF3934, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3387 (Howe) Veterans benefits services disclosure requirements modified.
Chair Dettmer moved HF3387 be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Representative Howe presented HF3387.
Francis White, Attorney, Francis White Law, testified in favor of HF3387.
Ben Johnson, Legislative Director, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified against HF3387.
Christopher Hinton, County Veteran Service Officer, MACVSO, testified against of HF3387.
Benjamin Krause, Attorney, Krause Law, testified in favor of HF3387.
Chair Dettmer renewed his motion that HF3387 be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF3750 (Franke) GI Bill statutory language recodified, and technical changes made.
Representative Franke moved HF3750 be re-referred to the General Register.
Representative Franke presented HF3750.
Ben Johnson, Legislative Director, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified in favor of HF3750.
Representative Franke renewed his motion that HF3750 be re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
SF1703 (Poston) July 16th designated as Atomic Veterans Day.
SF 1703 was returned to the Committee during interim per House Rule 4.20.
Representative Poston moved SF1703 be returned to the General Register.
Representative Poston presented SF1703.
SF 1703 will be re-referred back to the General Register without additional testimony.
Representative Poston renewed his motion that SF1703 be returned to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Minnesota Remembers Vietnam project update:
Bill Strusinski, Government Affairs representing TPT.
Katie Carpenter, Minnesota Remembers Vietnam project lead, TPT – Twin Cities PBS.
Randal Dietrich, Minnesota Remembers Vietnam outreach, TPT.
Minnesota Medal of Honor project update:
John Kraemer, Chairman, Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial.
Minnesota Humanities Center Veterans Voices program update:
David O’Fallon, President and CEO, Minnesota Humanities Center
Blake Rondeau, Marine, Veterans Voices Program Officer
Bruce Richardson, Army, Vietnam Lead and Consultant
Sheila Laughton, Air Force, Chairs Women Veterans Initiative
Veterans Rest Camp project update:
Lori Ahlness, Veterans Rest Camp Board
Ken Larson, Manager, Veterans Rest Camp
Camp Legionville project update:
Randy Tesdahl, Department Adjutant, American Legion of Minnesota
Wayne Gilbertson, President, Legionville Board
Roger Myron, Legionville Board Finance Committee
The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 PM.
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair
Justin Koob, Committee Legislative Assistant