Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Subcommittee on Veterans
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Present: Senator Aric Putnam - Chair, Senator Bruce D. Anderson, Senator Gene Dornink, Senator Zach Duckworth, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Robert J. Kupec, Senator Judy Seeberger, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator Heather Gustafson
3:00 PM, 1150 Minnesota Senate Bldg.
Minutes
Present: Senator Aric Putnam - Chair, Senator Bruce D. Anderson, Senator Gene Dornink, Senator Zach Duckworth, Senator Mary K. Kunesh, Senator Robert J. Kupec, Senator Judy Seeberger, Senator Nathan Wesenberg
Absent: Senator Heather Gustafson
Senator Aric Putnam called the meeting to order at 3:09pm
Call to Order
S.F. 568: Senator Hawj: Veteran definition expansion and advisory task force establishment.
Testifiers: Dr. Lee Pao Xiong – Director, Center for Hmong Studies, Concordia University, Ya Lee – SGU Veteran, T-28 Pilot
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 568, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: Dr. Lee Pao Xiong – Director, Center for Hmong Studies, Concordia University, Ya Lee – SGU Veteran, T-28 Pilot
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 568, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 1959: Senator Putnam: Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs budget establishment provision, veterans benefits services accreditation disclosure requirements to veterans and veterans' family modifications provision, Gold and Blue Star families honor plaque on State Capitol grounds placed by the commissioner of administration requirement provision, and appropriation.
*** Gavel changed to Senator Kupec*** Testifiers: Brad Lindsey – Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans, Major General Shawn Manke – Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Athman – Director of Operations, Minnesota Department of Military Affairs, Cole Trace – MDVA
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1959, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
*** Gavel changed to Senator Kupec*** Testifiers: Brad Lindsey – Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans, Major General Shawn Manke – Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Athman – Director of Operations, Minnesota Department of Military Affairs, Cole Trace – MDVA
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1959, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 1893: Senator Putnam: Lutheran Social Services CORE program appropriation.
Testifiers: Amy Vajgrt – Senior Director of LSS Meals, Kristy Janigo - American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair Senator Putnam moves A-3 amendment. Amendment is adopted.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1893, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: Amy Vajgrt – Senior Director of LSS Meals, Kristy Janigo - American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair Senator Putnam moves A-3 amendment. Amendment is adopted.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1893, as amended, laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 2550: Senator Kupec: Fargo Memorial Honor Guard construction of a chapel and parking lot and related infrastructure at veterans national cemetery in North Dakota appropriation.
*** Gavel changed to Senator Putnam*** Testifiers: Jim Graalum – Chief of Fundraising, Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Jason Hicks – Commander, Fargo Memorial Honor Guard
Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 2550, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
*** Gavel changed to Senator Putnam*** Testifiers: Jim Graalum – Chief of Fundraising, Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Jason Hicks – Commander, Fargo Memorial Honor Guard
Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 2550, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 1706: Senator Kupec: Human services data and veterans data provisions modifications.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1706, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Senator Kupec moved that S.F. 1706, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. - MOTION PREVAILED.
S.F. 488: Senator Green: Veteran retreats appropriation.
Testifiers: Marty Seifert – Government Relations, Flaherty & Hood P.A., Jesse Sprint – Veteran, Breezy Point, MN, Kristen Whittman – Veteran, Richfield, MN
Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 488, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifiers: Marty Seifert – Government Relations, Flaherty & Hood P.A., Jesse Sprint – Veteran, Breezy Point, MN, Kristen Whittman – Veteran, Richfield, MN
Senator Putnam moved that S.F. 488, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. - MOTION PREVAILED.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:47pm
|
Senator Aric Putnam, Chair |
Keely Spens, Legislative Assistant |