HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY, VETERANS AND HOMELAND SECURITY
REP. JENNIFER CONLIN
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
12:00 PM
Room 327, House Office Building
The House Committee on Military, Veterans and Homeland Security was called to order by
Chair Conlin.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Conlin, Tyrone Carter, Shannon, Rogers, Wegela, Xiong, Markkanen,
Bezotte, Martin, St. Germaine.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Representative Rogers moved to adopt the meeting minutes from May 14, 2024. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 5276, HB 5277, HB 5279, HB 5280 and HB 5720 before the committee:
HB 5276
(Rep. Conlin)
A bill to create the office of mental health and
suicide prevention in the Michigan veterans affairs
agency and provide for its powers and duties; and
to provide for the powers and duties of certain
state governmental officers and entities.
HB 5277
(Rep. Morse)
A bill to amend 1967 PA 150, entitled "Michigan
military act," (MCL 32.501 to 32.851) by adding
section 322.
HB 5279
(Rep. Brabec)
A bill to amend 1967 PA 150, entitled "Michigan
military act," (MCL 32.501 to 32.851) by adding
section 323.
HB 5280
(Rep. Bruck)
A bill to amend 1967 PA 150, entitled "Michigan
military act," (MCL 32.501 to 32.851) by adding
section 321.
HB 5720
(Rep. Bezotte)
A bill to require the department of military and
veterans affairs to make certain mental health and
wellness resources available to members of the
Michigan National Guard and other military
servicemembers.
Brett Waters, representing Reason for Hope, testified in support of HBs 5276, 5277, 5279,
5280, and 5720.
Tim Poxson, Legislative Chair for the American Legion Department of Michigan, testified in
support of HBs 5276, 5277, 5279, 5280, and 5720. Questions and discussion followed.
TJ Pierce, representing the National Guard Association of Michigan, testified in support of
HBs 5276, 5277, 5279, 5280, and 5720.
Director Brian Love and Acting Deputy Director Todd Butler, Michigan Veterans Affairs
Agency, testified in support of HBs 5276, 5277, 5279, 5280, and 5720. Questions and
discussion followed.
Representative Bruck testified in support of HBs 5276, 5277, 5279, 5280, and 5720.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 5276, HB 5277, HB 5279, HB 5280
and HB 5720, but did not wish to speak:
Heather Feurstein, representing the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran
Affairs.
Stephanie Johnson, representing the Mental Health Association of Michigan.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Conlin adjourned the meeting at
12:40 PM.
Representative Jennifer Conlin, Chair
Nicholas Gewirtz
Committee Clerk
ngewirtz@house.mi.gov