FOURTEENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTEENTH 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 25, 2026, in Room G23 of the State Capitol Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members Present:

BLISS, Matt (Co-Chair)
XIONG, Jay (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


A quorum was present.

Representative Davis moved the minutes of March 11, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF 4615 (Olson, B.) Amount of pay for commissioned officers and enlisted members engaged in state active service modified.

Vice Chair Olson moved HF4615 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

Testifiers:

Major General Shawn Manke, Adjutant General, Minnesota National Guard
Scott Rohweder, Executive Director, Department of Military Affairs

Vice Chair Olson renewed the motion that HF4615 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF 3532 (Olson, B.) Eligibility for burial in state Veterans cemeteries modified.

Vice Chair Olson moved HF3532 before the Division.

Vice Chair Olson moved the H3532DE2 amendment. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifiers:

David Swantek, Director of Memorial Affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Ben Johnson, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Vice Chair Olson moved that HF3532, as amended, be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Vice Chair Olson assumed the gavel at 8:26AM

HF 4492 (Bliss) Commanders Task Force established.

Chair Bliss moved HF4492 be referred to the General Register.

Testifiers:

Brad Lindsey, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
John Walker, Commander, Disabled American Veterans- Minnesota Chapter
Barry Henriksen, State Adjutant/Quartermaster, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Minnesota
Tim Engstrom, Communications Director, American Legion, Department of Minnesota

Chair Bliss renewed the motion that HF4492 be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Bliss assumed the gavel at 8:36 AM.

HF 4171 (Rehrauer) Imposition of certain fees for residential improvements necessary to accommodate the disability of a veteran prohibited.

Vice Chair Rehrauer moved HF4171 be re-referred to the Elections Finance and Government Operations committee.

Testifiers:

Mark Foster, Vice President Legislative and Political Affairs, Housing First Minnesota
Jon Kelly, Director of Government Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs

Vice Chair Rehrauer renewed the motion that HF4171 be re-referred to the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Presentation on Veterans Day on the Hill April 23, 2026

Presenters:
Tim Engstrom, Communications Director, American Legion Department of Minnesota


The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 AM





Representative Bliss, Co-Chair




Jacob Alm, Committee Legislative Assistant