Maryland veterans department backs consolidation of War Memorial oversight and changes to veterans boards in HB 196

House Health and Government Operations Committee Chair Jocelyn Pena Melnik opened the departmental hearing on House Bill 196, which would restructure oversight and membership for several veterans boards and commissions.

The bill would eliminate the War Memorial Commission and give the Department of Veterans and Military Families's cemetery and memorial program oversight responsibilities for the War Memorial Building, while leaving Baltimore city staff responsible for day-to-day building operations. Dana Burrell, deputy secretary for the Department of Veterans and Military Families, told the committee the War Memorial Commission "was established in 1924" but "over time, commissioner appointments and attendance at meetings has declined," and that consolidating oversight would improve efficiency while preserving the building's historical integrity.

Burrell also said HB 196 would alter voting status on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund board to improve the board's ability to achieve a quorum and address trust fund matters despite legislative scheduling conflicts and vacancies. The department additionally proposes changes to the Maryland Veterans Commission membership to add a nonprofit seat and grant the department limited authority to remove certain seats without further legislation, addressing difficulties filling seats as organizations age out or become inactive.

Burrell described the department's oversight as "high level, not intended to supplant the city's role in operating the site and not altering the existing cost sharing agreement between the department and the city." She asked for a favorable report on the bill.

Committee members asked no follow-up questions during the hearing and the chair concluded the HB 196 hearing after Burrell's remarks.

The testimony framed HB 196 as an administrative clean-up and consolidation: Baltimore will continue daily operations at the War Memorial Building; the department seeks regulatory authority to protect historic integrity and to improve board function by changing voting designations and adding nonprofit representation to the commission.