STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Bliss, Co-Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 8:15AM on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Room G23 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
BLISS, Matt (Co-Chair)
OLSON, Bjorn (Co-Vice Chair)
REHRAUER, Kari (Co-Vice Chair)
BENNETT, Peggy
CLARDY, Mary Frances
DAVIS, Ben
DURAN, Bidal
FEIST, Sandra
HILL, Josiah
LEE, Xp
REPINSKI, Aaron
Member Absent:
XIONG, Jay (Co-Chair)
A Quorum was present.
Representative Feist moved the minutes of March 4, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3727 (Olson) Market value exclusion modified for veterans with a disability by increasing exclusion amount for totally and permanently disabled veterans.
Vice Chair Olson moved HF3727 be re-referred to the Taxes Committee.
Vice Chair Olson moved the H3727A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
Stephen Whitehead, Adjutant, Disabled American Veterans- Minnesota Chapter
John Walker, Commander, Disabled American Veterans- Minnesota Chapter
Larry Fonder, Legislative Chair, Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers
Janet Lorenzo, Assistant Adjutant, American Legion Department of Minnesota
Vice Chair Olson renewed the motion that HF3727, as amended, be re-referred to the Taxes Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice Chair Olson assumed the gavel at 8:37 AM.
HF 3684 (Bliss) Standards for use of competitive grants issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs established, and report required.
Chair Bliss moved HF3684 be placed on the General Register
Chair Bliss moved the H3684DE3 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
Dave Bellefeuille, Chief of Staff, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Chair Bliss renewed the motion that HF3684, as amended, be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Bliss assumed the gavel at 8:43 AM.
HF 3467 (Rehrauer) Commissioner of veterans affairs allowed to direct agency resources to veterans' initiatives, and reports required.
Chair Bliss moved HF3467 before the division.
Chair Bliss moved the H3467A1 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifiers:
Cole Trace, Government Affairs Liaison, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Vice Chair Rehrauer moved that HF3467, as amended, be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs on 2026 Legislative Priorities
Presenters:
Rachel Johnson, Veterans Community Health Director, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Jon Kelly, Director of Government Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs
Tim Engstrom, Communications Director, American Legion Department of Minnesota
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 AM
Representative Bliss, Co-Chair
Jacob Alm, Committee Legislative Assistant