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House file 753 would let veterans organizations use charitable gambling proceeds for building repairs; referred to Commerce committee
Summary
The House Veterans and Military Division voted to refer House File 753 to the Commerce Committee after testimony that the bill would allow veterans organizations to spend charitable gambling proceeds on repairs and ADA upgrades to their properties.
The House Veterans and Military Division voted to re-refer House File 753 to the Commerce and Finance Committee after testimony that the bill would let veterans organizations use charitable gambling proceeds for building repairs and accessibility upgrades.
Supporters said the change would allow local veterans posts to repair HVAC, security systems and parking to keep meeting halls open. "Many of our veterans organizations throughout the state have buildings that are in disrepair," Representative Robbins said in presenting the bill. "This bill just remedies that by expanding the list of allowable expenditures for gaming proceeds for veterans organizations only."
The bill’s backers told the division that some posts are consolidating or closing because they lack funds for upkeep. Barry Henriksen, adjutant quartermaster for the Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars, said five VFW posts already consolidated this year and that local posts frequently donate to food shelves, youth sports and other community needs. "If they go away, the community loses the veteran support that the posts do," Henriksen said.
Tim Engstrom, gambling manager for Bloomington American Legion Post 550 and communications director for the American Legion Department of Minnesota, said some posts face large tax burdens that make maintenance unaffordable. "Having the ability to repair them and keep them and maintain them is crucial to Minnesota," Engstrom said.
Committee members asked no substantive questions during the item. The chair renewed a motion to refer the bill; members approved by voice vote and the clerk announced the motion carried.
Background: proponents framed the bill as narrowly targeted to veterans organizations and said it would not increase costs for taxpayers because it changes how charitable gambling proceeds may be spent, rather than creating a new appropriation.
The bill now moves to the Commerce and Finance Committee for further consideration.
