This is my second year in the Legislature and my second year on the Agricultural Policy, Rural Economies, and Veterans’ Affairs committee. I am especially proud of our work this term to support and thank Minnesota’s military personnel, veterans, and their families.

I voted for many measures to support our veterans, many contained in the recently passed and signed Omnibus Tax Bill. Here are some of the new laws designed to serve Minnesota’s military and veterans:

Traumatic Brain Injury/Health Care

I attended a hearing in which we learned that traumatic brain injury will be known as the ’signature wound’ that too many veterans suffer. The House allocated funding to design a treatment program for veterans suffering TBI.

We must address the growing need to provide community-based and home-based medical services for our veterans. Last week, I attended a meeting with Congressman Tim Walz, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and others to discuss ways to supplement the VA system with localized care for veterans in Greater Minnesota.

The House took steps toward community and home-based health care this year. I strongly support the work we authorized to develop ways to help veterans live independently and still receive care. We also established a Veterans Health Care Advisory Council, which will develop ideas for providing quality health-care for veterans and to prepare for expected needs in the future.

Study of state veterans homes

I have had a chance to talk with Gilbert Acevedo, the new Executive Director of the Minnesota State Veterans Homes. Mr. Acevedo’s credentials are impressive and he has set out a plan for addressing concerns that have arisen concerning the state homes.

The House approved a strategic planning study of the state veterans homes. One focus will be examination of the feasibility of partnering to provide home-based services to veterans so they can live more independently in their homes. Exploring alternatives for the Minneapolis Veterans Home will also be included.

Property tax help for veterans, service organizations, and hardship assessments

While property taxes are hard for many Minnesotans, they can be especially challenging for disabled veterans. This year, we enacted a homestead exemption for disabled military veterans. It provides a market value exclusion of up to $300,000 (depending on disability level) on a homestead for property taxation purposes. Honorably discharged veterans with a military service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher will qualify.

This new benefit consists of two tiers:

$150,000 market value exclusion, for a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 70 percent to 100 percent; or

$300,000 market value exclusion, for a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as being total and permanent.

A qualifying veteran’s spouse who co-owns or inherits the home and permanently lives there will continue to receive the exclusion upon the veteran’s death.

The VFW, American Legion, and other nonprofit community service-oriented organizations will have their property tax classifications reduced. These service organizations had been taxed at the same rate as regular businesses.

In Minnesota, a county, city or town may defer payment of special assessments for any homestead property of seniors and disabled persons. This year, we passed a law to allow veterans to receive these deferments.

Military service combat zone credit

The bill ensures that the estate or heirs of a deceased veteran can claim the military service combat credit.

National Guard income tax exclusion

In 2005, an enacted law exempted military reservists’ out-of-state military services from the income tax. We extended this exemption to the National Guard.

A new Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery

The House worked with the governor to establish a second Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery south of Duluth.

Vietnam Veterans Day and Korean War Armistice Day

In committee, we heard compelling testimony supporting state designation of Vietnam Veterans Day. I voted to support this designation: the State of Minnesota will now honor and thank Vietnam War veterans by designating every March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day.

On Monday, I voted with the House to pass a Korean War Armistice Day remembrance to be held on July 27.

I am proud of our work on the House Veterans Affairs committee, which includes many other provisions for active military, veterans, and their families. I look forward to continuing this work for the rest of the session and throughout the summer and fall. Please do not hesitate to call me to talk about how I can be helpful