HF 3443

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/21/2016 01:57pm

A bill for an act
relating to the military; establishing a service member and veteran service center
pilot grant program; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin SERVICE MEMBER AND VETERAN SERVICE CENTER PILOT
GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin A service member and veteran service center pilot
grant program is established to be administered by the commissioner of veterans affairs.
The program consists of grant awards to nonprofits that serve service members, veterans,
and their families to enable the nonprofit service member and veteran service center to
enhance the effectiveness of its services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a grant under subdivision 4, a service
member and veteran service center must, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide space where service members, veterans, and their families are able
to gather;
new text end

new text begin (2) assist service members, veterans, and their families with finding local, state, and
federal resources;
new text end

new text begin (3) assist service members, veterans, and their families in connecting with services,
resources, and advocacy in the areas of law, education, employment, housing, health,
and wellness;
new text end

new text begin (4) utilize public and private partnerships to share resources and increase innovation
to effectively assist service members, veterans, and their families; and
new text end

new text begin (5) be a nonprofit corporation as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any grant awarded under this section to a service member and veterans service
center requires a 50 percent match from nonstate sources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall determine the process for
awarding grants. A grant may be used only for the purpose of enhancing the operations of
or renovating the facility of a service member and veteran service center.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must give preference to service member and veterans service
centers that:
new text end

new text begin (1) demonstrate meaningful collaboration with other organizations that enhance the
services offered by the service center; and
new text end

new text begin (2) are located outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121,
subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (c) Grants under this section must be awarded by June 30, 2017.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant amount. new text end

new text begin A service member and veteran service center is eligible to
receive a onetime grant of $....... under this section.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SERVICE MEMBER AND VETERAN SERVICE
CENTER PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to the
commissioner of veterans affairs for the service member and veteran service center pilot
grant program under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
expended.
new text end