Sen. Gustafson’s bill to clarify MDVA authority on veteran partnerships is amended and laid over
Loading...
Summary
Senate File 3956, carried by Sen. Gustafson, would amend Minn. Stat. 196.22 to explicitly allow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to direct staff time and non‑monetary resources to partnerships addressing veterans’ food security, homelessness and suicide prevention. The committee adopted an amendment narrowing the scope and laid the bill over for further work.
Sen. Gustafson presented Senate File 3956 on March 4, 2026, saying the bill would amend Minn. Stat. 196.22 to provide clear legislative authority for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to collaborate with nonprofits and other organizations on veterans initiatives.
John Kelly, MDVA’s director of government affairs, told the subcommittee the change is intended to clarify the department’s ability to direct staff time and use facility space for initiatives without authorizing the transfer of state dollars. "Rather than ask for forgiveness, we're coming for permission," Kelly said, describing the bill as a means to move quickly on partnerships while keeping monetary appropriations separate.
Stephan Whitehead, department adjutant for Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota, described a pilot food‑insecurity effort with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He said the pantry is "serving over 300 boxes per month" and outlined plans for outreach pop‑up events that pair food distribution with benefits enrollment and other services.
Sen. Howe offered an A1 amendment to remove the phrase "other critical issues," limiting statutory authority to food insecurity, homelessness and suicide prevention. Sponsors and MDVA described the amendment as acceptable; committee counsel noted the bill’s reporting sentence may need a technical edit for flow when the bill returns. The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote.
Rather than voting to advance the bill today, the subcommittee laid Senate File 3956, as amended, over for further consideration and technical work on reporting language and cross‑chamber coordination.
What happens next: The bill will return to the subcommittee for further drafting and consideration, including technical edits to the reporting provision and coordination with amendments proposed in the other legislative body.
