TENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA TENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-THIRD SESSION


VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS FINANCE & POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Jerry Newton, Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M., on February 19, 2024 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
NEWTON, Jerry, Chair
ELKINS, Steve, Vice-Chair
BLISS, Matt, Minority Lead
BENNETT, Peggy
CLARDY, Mary Frances
COULTER, Nathan
GREENMAN, Emma
HUDELLA, Shane
LISLEGARD, Dave
NORRIS, Matt
OLSON, Bjorn
WIENS, Mark


A quorum was present.

Representative Clardy moved that the minutes from March 27, 2023, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Overview of session priorities from the Department of Military Affairs.

Presenters:
• Brigadier General Chris Blomquist, Deputy Adjutant General, Minnesota Department of Military Affairs (MDMA)
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA

HF3454 (Norris) Adjutant general authorized to establish referral bonus program for referrals leading to enlistment in or commissioning into the Minnesota National Guard.

Chair Newton moved that HF3454 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

Representative Norris presented HF3454.

Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA

Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3454 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

HF3470 (Clardy) Criminal justice agencies definition modified.

Representative Clardy moved that HF3470 be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law.

Representative Clardy presented HF3470.





Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA
• Nick Slade, Deputy Counsel, MDMA

Representative Clardy renewed the motion that HF3470 be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF3473 (Coulter) National Guard provisions amended, and types of data regarding service members that the adjutant general may request modified.

Chair Newton moved that HF3473 be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law.

Representative Coulter presented HF3473.

Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA
• Nick Slade, Deputy Counsel, MDMA

Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3473 be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF3869 (Hudella) Adjutant General powers provisions modified.

Chair Newton moved that HF3869 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

Representative Hudella presented HF3869.

Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA

Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3869 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

HF3870 (Olson, B) Armory provisions modified.

Chair Newton moved that HF3870 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

Representative Olson presented HF3870.

Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA

Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3870 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee omnibus.

HF3871 (Olson, B) Crime of unauthorized presence at Camp Ripley modified to include any campground, military reservation, armory, instillation, or facility owned or controlled by the state or federal government for military purposes; and criminal penalties provided.

Chair Newton moved that HF3871 be referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.

Representative Olson presented HF3871.

Testifiers:
• Don Kerr, Executive Director, MDMA
Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3871 be referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy, THE MOTION PREVAILED.


HF3677 (Elkins) Counties authorized to appropriate money to organizations to defray expenses of Veterans Day exercises.

Chair Newton moved that HF3677 be referred to the Committee on State and Local Government and Policy.

Vice-Chair Elkins presented HF3677.

Testifiers:
• Kristy Janigo, Legislative Committee, American Legion

Chair Newton renewed the motion that HF3677 be referred to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 P.M.







Representative Jerry Newton, Chair



Robin Schmidt, Committee Legislative Assistant