Committee hears testimony on bill to honor Hartman family and sponsor Helping Paws litter

The Minnesota House Finance and Policy Committee on March 18 heard testimony in favor of House File 3,939, a measure that would create a state‑sponsored Helping Paws litter to honor Melissa, Mark and their service dog Gilbert, and provide financial support to increase access to service dogs.

Elissa, executive director of Helping Paws, told the committee that the proposal grew from conversations with House leaders after the family’s deaths and would ensure “a lasting legacy and a ripple effect touching many lives throughout the coming years.” She urged lawmakers that state funding would help ensure anyone who needs a service dog can receive one.

Graduate speaker Andy Foley described his decades of involvement and the difference service dogs make: “I have received the gift of independence four times through the partnership,” he said, speaking of multiple graduates supported by Helping Paws. Foley and Elissa both outlined the organization’s reliance on donations, sponsorships and volunteer foster homes to train and place dogs.

Several representatives responded with personal remarks, noting the program’s role supporting veterans, first responders and students and praising host families and volunteers. Lawmakers framed the bill as both an honor to the Hartman family and a way to preserve access to services provided by Helping Paws.

After testimony and brief discussion, the chair renewed the motion that House File 3,939 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. No final funding decision was recorded at the committee meeting.

The bill will next appear in committee paperwork when its possible inclusion in an omnibus is considered; proponents asked legislators to account for the program’s ongoing training and placement costs in any future appropriation.