Senate Human Resources panel reviews Veterans Affairs budget, holds off on hiring new benefit specialist

The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division reviewed changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs budget and asked staff to prepare amendments while deferring a decision on hiring a veteran benefit specialist.

Committee chair Chairman Devers convened the division for a review of Senate Bill 2025, the appropriation for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and walked members through a one‑page long sheet dated Feb. 7 that split the recommended adjustments and items for committee consideration.

The committee agreed not to include a new FTE for a veteran benefit specialist in this round of budget work; members said that hiring can be discussed with the other chamber. The governor had included funding for a commissioner salary equity increase of $100,000; the division agreed to place a $25,000 placeholder to allow discussion with the House.

Committee members reviewed several one‑time and operating items on the long sheet. Office of Management and Budget staff told the committee the $34,000 line labeled "operating expenses" appears to cover a rent increase for the department’s office in South Fargo and is a 24‑month (two‑year) rent amount. Members agreed to keep the $34,000 in the draft so the House and other staff could reconcile it.

Other line items discussed included federal and special funds items (including a $193,000 federal line and a $4,200 item), $50,000 proposed for a service‑dog program (members discussed training, purchase and veteran training costs), $19,000 for accrued leave of retiring staff, and authority totaling $291,500 for the Veterans Home Cemetery Grama Program to expend federal money if federal funds become available.

One member asked whether operating expenses tied to a new FTE would fall away if the FTE was removed; committee staff explained that roughly $6,000 in operating expenses had been associated with the benefit specialist request and would not be included if the position is omitted.

Members asked staff to prepare finalized amendments to reflect the changes discussed and to have those available Wednesday so the committee could consider them in full on Thursday. The committee did not take a final vote on Senate Bill 2025 during this meeting.

The division closed its work on Senate Bill 2025 and moved on to other bills on the agenda.