SF 4429

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/25/2024 10:31am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans and military affairs; expanding the powers of the adjutant
general; modifying veterans home provisions; modifying provisions related to
armories; amending policy provisions related to veterans; extending the availability
of a grant for the veterans Meals on Wheels program; amending Minnesota Statutes
2022, sections 190.16, subdivisions 3, 6a; 192.501, by adding a subdivision;
193.143; 193.29, subdivisions 1, 4; 193.36, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding
subdivisions; 197.63, subdivision 1; 198.005; 198.006; 375.34; 375.35; Laws 2010,
chapter 333, article 2, section 23, as amended; Laws 2023, chapter 38, article 1,
section 3, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.16, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Contracts; agreements.

deleted text begin When prescribed or required by the laws of the United
States and any rules or regulations made thereunder, and deleted text end Notwithstanding any state law to
the contrary, the adjutant general shall be the contracting new text begin authority and new text end officer for any
construction, improvement or maintenance program or project new text begin , or any other program or
project new text end financed either in whole or in part by moneys made available by the federal
government and may execute agreements and contracts for and in behalf of the state therefor,
including a dedication of the primary use and purpose of such buildings, air bases, roads,
utilities or other structures or facilities required in the training, housing, and maintenance
of the military forces of the state for periods up to and including 25 years.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.16, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Rental of deleted text begin Camp Ripley deleted text end new text begin military new text end facilities.

The adjutant general or the adjutant
general's designee may rent buildings or other facilities deleted text begin at Camp Ripley deleted text end new text begin of the Minnesota
National Guard new text end to persons under terms and conditions specified by the adjutant general or
designee. Subject to any prohibitions or restrictions in any agreement between the United
States and the state of Minnesota, proceeds of rentals under this subdivision must be applied
as follows:

(1) payment of increased utilities, maintenance, or other costs directly attributable to
the rental;

(2) other operating and maintenance or repair costs for the building or facility being
rented; and

(3) maintenance and improvement of buildings or other facilities at Camp Ripley.

Rentals under this subdivision must be made under terms and conditions that do not conflict
with the use of deleted text begin Camp Ripley deleted text end new text begin the facilities new text end for military purposes.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 192.501, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 1e. new text end

new text begin Referral bonus program. new text end

new text begin (a) The adjutant general may establish a program
to provide a bonus for referrals leading to enlistment in or commissioning into the Minnesota
National Guard.
new text end

new text begin (b) The adjutant general may determine eligibility criteria for the bonus. The adjutant
general must specify all criteria for the bonus in regulations and publish changes as necessary.
new text end

new text begin (c) The referral bonus payments must be made on a schedule that is determined and
published in department regulations by the adjutant general.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the adjutant general determines that a referral bonus was paid to an individual who
was ineligible, the adjutant general may seek to recoup the bonus.
new text end

new text begin (e) If the adjutant general implements a referral bonus program, the adjutant general
must:
new text end

new text begin (1) notify the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Minnesota National Guard;
new text end

new text begin (2) develop internal controls for the referral bonus program aimed at preventing fraud,
waste, and abuse of government resources, and publish these internal controls in regulation;
new text end

new text begin (3) by January 16 each year, submit regulations developed under this subdivision to the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Minnesota National Guard; and
new text end

new text begin (4) maintain an accurate record of the recipients and benefits paid under this subdivision
and summarize this information in the agency performance report, including information
regarding the rank and unit locations of bonus recipients.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.143, is amended to read:

193.143 STATE ARMORY BUILDING COMMISSION, POWERS.

Such corporation, subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed in sections 193.141
to 193.149, shall possess all the powers of a body corporate necessary and convenient to
accomplish the objectives and perform the duties prescribed by sections 193.141 to 193.149,
including the following, which shall not be construed as a limitation upon the general powers
hereby conferred:

(1) To acquire by lease, purchase, gift, or condemnation proceedings all necessary right,
title, and interest in and to the lands required for a site for a new armory and all other real
or personal property required for the purposes contemplated by the Military Code and to
hold and dispose of the same, subject to the conditions and limitations herein prescribed;
provided that any such real or personal property or interest therein may be so acquired or
accepted subject to any condition which may be imposed thereon by the grantor or donor
and agreed to by such corporation not inconsistent with the proper use of such property by
the state for armory or military purposes as herein provided.

(2) To exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by chapter 117,
for the purpose of acquiring any property which such corporation is herein authorized to
acquire by condemnation; provided, that the corporation may take possession of any such
property so to be acquired at any time after the filing of the petition describing the same in
condemnation proceedings; provided further, that this shall not preclude the corporation
from abandoning the condemnation of any such property in any case where possession
thereof has not been taken.

(3) To construct and equip new armories as authorized herein; to pay therefor out of the
funds obtained as hereinafter provided and to hold, manage, and dispose of such armory,
equipment, and site as hereinafter provided. The total amount of bonds issued on account
of such armories shall not exceed the amount of the cost thereof; provided also, that the
total bonded indebtedness of the commission shall not at any time exceed the aggregate
sum of $15,000,000.

(4) To provide partnerships with federal and state governments and to match federal and
local funds, when available.

(5) To sue and be sued.

(6) To contract and be contracted with in any matter connected with any purpose or
activity within the powers of such corporations as herein specified; provided, that no officer
or member of such corporation shall be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in any
contract in which such corporation is interested.

(7) To employ any and all professional and nonprofessional services and all agents,
employees, workers, and servants necessary and proper for the purposes and activities of
such corporation as authorized or contemplated herein and to pay for the same out of any
portion of the income of the corporation available for such purposes or activities. The officers
and members of such corporation shall not receive any compensation therefrom, but may
receive their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance
of their duties; provided however, that whenever the duties of any member of the commission
require full time and attention the commission may compensate the member therefor at such
rates as it may determine.

(8) To borrow money and issue bonds for the purposes and in the manner and within
the limitations herein specified, and to pledge any and all property and income of such
corporation acquired or received as herein provided to secure the payment of such bonds,
subject to the provisions and limitations herein prescribed, and to redeem any such bonds
if so provided therein or in the mortgage or trust deed accompanying the same.

(9) To use for the following purposes any available money received by such corporation
from any source as herein provided in excess of those required for the payment of the cost
of such armory and for the payment of any bonds issued by the corporation and interest
thereon according to the terms of such bonds or of any mortgage or trust deed accompanying
the same:

(a) to pay the necessary incidental expenses of carrying on the business and activities
of the corporation as herein authorized;

(b) to pay the cost of operating, maintaining, repairing, and improving such new armories;

(c) if any further excess money remains, to purchase upon the open market at or above
or below the face or par value thereof any bonds issued by the corporation as herein
authorized, provided that any bonds so purchased shall thereupon be canceled.

(10) To adopt and use a corporate seal.

(11) To adopt all needful bylaws and rules for the conduct of business and affairs of
such corporation and for the management and use of all armories while under the ownership
and control of such corporation as herein provided, not inconsistent with the use of such
armory for armory or military purposes.

(12) Such corporation shall issue no stock.

(13) No officer or member of such corporation shall have any personal share or interest
in any funds or property of the corporation or be subject to any personal liability by reason
of any liability of the corporation.

(14) The Minnesota State Armory Building Commission created under section 193.142
shall keep all money and credits received by it as a single fund, to be designated as the
"Minnesota State Armory Building Commission fund," with separate accounts for each
armory; and the commission may make transfers of money from funds appertaining to any
armory under its control for use for any other such armory; provided such transfers shall
be made only from money on hand, from time to time, in excess of the amounts required
to meet payments of interest or principal on bonds or other obligations appertaining to the
armory to which such funds pertain and only when necessary to pay expenses of construction,
operation, maintenance, deleted text begin and deleted text end debt service new text begin , and other obligations reasonable and necessary, new text end
of such other armory; provided further, no such transfer of any money paid for the support
of any armory by the municipality in which such armory is situated shall be made by the
commission.

(15) The corporation created under section 193.142 may designate one or more state or
national banks as depositories of its funds, and may provide, upon such conditions as the
corporation may determine, that the treasurer of the corporation shall be exempt from
personal liability for loss of funds deposited in any such depository due to the insolvency
or other acts or omissions of such depository.

(16) The governor is empowered to apply for grants of money, equipment, and materials
which may be made available to the states by the federal government for leasing, building,
and equipping armories for the use of the military forces of the state which are reserve
components of the armed forces of the United States, whenever the governor is satisfied
that the conditions under which such grants are offered by the federal government, are for
the best interests of the state and are not inconsistent with the laws of the state relating to
armories, and to accept such grants in the name of the state. The Minnesota State Armory
Building Commission is designated as the agency of the state to receive such grants and to
use them for armory purposes as prescribed in this chapter, and by federal laws, and
regulations not inconsistent therewith.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Armory board.

The new text begin adjutant general may delegate authority for the new text end
control new text begin , new text end operation new text begin , new text end and use of each armory building and grounds occupied by any of the
military forces of the state deleted text begin shall be vested in deleted text end new text begin to new text end an armory board consisting of officers,
warrant officers, or enlisted personnel representing the organization or organizations
quartered therein, as hereinafter provided, except that the commission-owned armories
which have been or may be constructed or acquired and operated under the provisions of
sections 193.139 to 193.149, and acts supplementary thereto shall be controlled and operated
as provided therein.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.29, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Rentals; proceeds.

The armory board may rent an armory to entities or
individuals under terms and conditions deleted text begin the board determines deleted text end new text begin as determined by the adjutant
general new text end , but rentals may not conflict with the use of the armory for military purposes. The
proceeds of rentals and all other income accruing to each armory constitutes the armory
fund and must be applied by the armory board of each armory, as the adjutant general shall
direct, for its maintenance, extension, improvement, and equipment, but all armory funds
and all allowances from the state accruing to commission-owned armories must be paid to
the commission.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

May sell and convey property deleted text begin in certain cases deleted text end .

In any case when the adjutant
general finds it advantageous for military training, the adjutant general may sell and convey
property to the municipality or county in which the property is located at a price to be
determined by an appraiser to be selected by the adjutant general. The money received must
be credited to the general fund and is appropriated to the adjutant general to be used: (1) as
a contribution for the construction or acquisition of an armory, armories, or armory facilities
to replace the one sold; or (2) for the maintenance, operation, repair, rehabilitation, or
improvement of existing armory facilities. The money may also be transferred to the
Minnesota State Armory Commission: (1) for the replacement of an armory, armories, or
armory facilities constructed or acquired by the commission; or (2) for the maintenance,
operation, repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of facilities owned by the commission. If
the money received is not expended for the purposes stated in this subdivision within ten
years after the old armory has been sold, the appropriation to the adjutant general as provided
in this subdivision lapses. In the event that both the municipality and the county desire to
purchase the armory, the municipality must be given first priority to purchase the armory. new text begin
In addition to money, the adjutant general may consider local government contributions to
include the donation of land, provision of utilities to provide for a new armory, or other
expenditures by the municipality or county.
new text end

If the municipality or county does not purchase the property after a reasonable
opportunity, the adjutant general may sell and convey it to any person after a public sale of
the property by first advertising for bids or proposals for three consecutive weeks in a
newspaper of general circulation in the area that the property is located and accepting the
proposal most favorable to the department. The adjutant general may reject all proposals.
The proceeds of the sale must be credited as provided in this subdivision. The adjutant
general may lease any armory remaining unsold to the municipality for public purposes.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin May sell and convey property in certain cases to limited resource
municipalities. new text end

new text begin The adjutant general may sell and convey property to a municipality at a
price to be determined by the adjutant general with the condition that the property remain
in public use by the municipality for no less than 25 years, if the adjutant general:
new text end

new text begin (1) finds it advantageous for military training;
new text end

new text begin (2) intends to sell and convey property located in a municipality; and
new text end

new text begin (3) determines that the municipality in which the property is located lacks sufficient
property tax base or other resources to purchase the property at the appraised value.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Exchange of property. new text end

new text begin The adjutant general with the approval of the Land
Exchange Board may exchange any property for any publicly or privately held property
without regard for value when the adjutant general finds it advantageous for military training,
operations, or reduction of management costs.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Disposition of unsuitable armory sites and buildings.

The adjutant general
with the approval of the governor, may sell and convey on behalf of the state any state
armory sites and buildings which in the judgment of the adjutant general are unsuitable for
military purposes or which have been condemned by proper authority as unsafe. Money
received from the sale of such armories shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to
the deleted text begin general fund deleted text end new text begin maintenance appropriation of the Department of Military Affairs or the
Minnesota State Armory Building Commission as determined by the adjutant general new text end .

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Bond financed property. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding a provision to the contrary in this
section, all conveyances, sales, or exchanges under this section of state bond financed
property, as defined in section 16A.695, subdivision 1, are subject to section 16A.695,
subdivision 3.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.63, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Issuance without charge.

A certified copy of a birth, death, marriage,
divorce, dissolution of marriage record, or certified copy of veteran's discharge recorded
pursuant to section 386.20, shall be issued promptly by the officer charged with the keeping
of the records upon the request of, and without any charge to, any veteran, the surviving
spouse or next of kin of the veteran, new text begin a county veteran service officer appointed pursuant to
section 197.60, or a new text end service deleted text begin officers deleted text end new text begin officer new text end of any veterans organization chartered by the
Congress of the United States deleted text begin , deleted text end or the Department of Veterans Affairs deleted text begin , deleted text end for use in the
presentation of claims to the United States Veterans Administration or in connection with
any veterans organization or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The word "veteran" as
used in this section means any man or woman who is a veteran as defined in section 197.447,
and who is a citizen of the United States or resident alien.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 198.005, is amended to read:

198.005 ADMINISTRATORS.

The commissioner shall appoint an administrator for each of the veterans homes. The
administrators act as the administrative head for their respective veterans homes. The
administrators shall have a current Minnesota nursing home administrator's license and shall
serve in the unclassified service. The salaries of the administrators are not subject to section
43A.17, subdivision 1. deleted text begin The administrators serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and
report directly to the commissioner.
deleted text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 198.006, is amended to read:

198.006 SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS.

(a) The commissioner must work with federal, state, local, and private agencies to develop
alternative institutional and noninstitutional care programs for veterans to supplement the
mission of the homes. Veterans shall be afforded the least restrictive, most appropriate level
of care available.

(b) The commissioner may work with federal, state, local, and private entities to make
available appropriate dental services for veterans homes residents. The commissioner may
engage with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to support the dental benefits
program authorized under this paragraph.

(c) The commissioner may provide adult day care center programs that offer therapeutic
and rehabilitation health care services to veterans and support services for caregivers of
veterans. If the commissioner provides adult day care center programs, the commissioner
may collect fees from program participants. The commissioner is authorized to apply for
and accept federal funding for purposes of this paragraph.

new text begin (d) The commissioner may operate a central pharmacy to provide any veterans home
resident with pharmaceuticals prescribed as part of the resident's care plan. Any pharmacy
established under this paragraph must comply with state and federal law, including any
applicable rules. The commissioner may engage with the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs to support the central pharmacy authorized under this paragraph.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 375.34, is amended to read:

375.34 MEMORIAL DAY new text begin AND VETERANS DAY new text end , APPROPRIATION FOR
OBSERVANCE.

The county board of each county may appropriate new text begin funds new text end from the revenue fund of the
county deleted text begin not more than $3,500 annually deleted text end to aid in the observance of Memorial Day in
commemoration of the noble and valiant deeds of the nation's soldier dead new text begin and Veterans
Day new text end .

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 375.35, is amended to read:

375.35 deleted text begin $300 deleted text end new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end TO MILITARY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
FOR MEMORIAL DAY new text begin AND VETERANS DAY new text end .

A county board may also appropriate new text begin funds new text end annually deleted text begin not more than $300 deleted text end to each post
of a recognized military service persons' organization or society, holding charter from
Congress or incorporated in this state, organized and existing in the county, to defray the
expenses of Memorial Day new text begin and Veterans Day new text end exercises.

Sec. 17.

Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23, as amended by Laws 2011, First
Special Session chapter 12, section 47, is amended to read:

Sec. 23. PLANNING NEW VETERANS CEMETERIES.

(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall determine a suitable site and plan for
deleted text begin three deleted text end new text begin four new text end new state veterans cemeteries, one to be located in northeastern Minnesota, new text begin one
to be located in northwestern Minnesota, new text end one to be located in southeastern Minnesota, and
one to be located in southwestern Minnesota. In determining the site for a cemetery, the
commissioner shall consider available public land options and shall seek proposals for
donated land from interested counties, local communities, civic organizations, veterans
service organizations, and individuals.

(b) For determining the veterans cemetery site in southeastern Minnesota, the
commissioner shall give priority consideration to land owned and proposed for donation
by the county of Fillmore.

(c) The commissioner's planning process for a state veterans cemetery must include, at
a minimum, the following actions:

(1) determining the need for the cemetery;

(2) investigating the availability of suitable land for the cemetery;

(3) assessment of impacts of the cemetery;

(4) encouragement of support from veteran service organizations and local governments;
and

(5) preparation and submission of a preapplication for a grant from the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs for commitment of funding for establishing the cemetery.

(d) By January 15, 2011, the commissioner shall report to the chair and ranking minority
member of the house of representatives and senate committees having responsibility for
veterans affairs with a report of the commissioner's progress in implementing this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 18.

Laws 2023, chapter 38, article 1, section 3, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Veterans Programs and Services

56,523,000

31,214,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. The base is $30,258,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(a) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $4,282,000
each year is for the operation of the state's
veterans cemeteries. The base for this
appropriation is $3,782,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.

(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
$500,000 each year is for grants to the
following congressionally chartered veterans
service organizations as designated by the
commissioner: Disabled American Veterans,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, the
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and
Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding
must be allocated in direct proportion to the
funding currently being provided by the
commissioner to these organizations.

(c) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for
compensation for honor guards at the funerals
of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.231.

(d) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is
for the costs of administering the Minnesota
GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits,
on-the-job training, and apprenticeship
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.791.

(e) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year
is for administering the Gold Star Program for
surviving family members of deceased
veterans.

(f) County Veterans Service Office.
$1,550,000 each year is for funding the
County Veterans Service Office grant program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.

(g) Camp Bliss. $150,000 each year is for a
grant to Camp Bliss as provided under article
2, section 9.

(h) Veterans on the Lake. $50,000 each year
is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for
expenses related to retreats for veterans,
including therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans. These are onetime
appropriations.

(i) Veteran Resilience Project. $300,000 each
year is for a grant to the veteran resilience
project. Grant funds must be used to make eye
movement desensitization and reprocessing
therapy available to veterans, veterans'
spouses, current military service members,
and current military service members' spouses
who are suffering from posttraumatic stress
disorder and trauma. The base for this
appropriation is $200,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.

The veteran resilience project must report to
the commissioner of veterans affairs and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
veterans affairs policy and finance by January
15 of each year on the program. The report
must include an overview of the program's
budget, a detailed explanation of program
expenditures, the number of veterans and
service members served by the program, and
a list and explanation of the services provided
to program participants.

(j) CORE Program. $1,225,000 each year is
for the Counseling and Case Management
Outreach Referral and Education (CORE)
program.

(k) LinkVet Call Center. $369,000 each year
is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call
Center.

(l) Recently Separated Veterans Program.
$350,000 each year is for operation of the
recently separated veterans program. The
commissioner of veterans affairs may use
Department of Defense and other veteran data
that were provided with an appropriate
disclosure to assist with connecting veterans
to resources and new programming. The
commissioner may use money for personnel,
research, marketing, technology solutions, and
professional or technical contracts. The base
for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal year
2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(m) Homeless Veterans and SOAR
Program. $1,035,000 each year is to operate
the homeless veteran registry and homeless
programs and to assist veterans, former service
members, and veterans' and former service
members' dependents with obtaining federal
benefits through the Social Security
Administration. The commissioner of veterans
affairs may use money for personnel, training,
research, marketing, and professional or
technical contracts. The base for this
appropriation is $1,344,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.

(n) Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans. $7,865,000 the first year and
$1,075,000 the second year are for grants to
the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
to provide assistance throughout Minnesota
to veterans and veterans' families who are
homeless or in danger of homelessness,
including assistance with:

(1) supportive services to maintain housing;

(2) employment;

(3) legal issues;

(4) housing and housing-related costs;

(5) transportation;

(6) the acquisition and creation of permanent
supportive housing; and

(7) property management of permanent
supportive housing.

Of these amounts, $6,350,000 the first year is
for the establishment of permanent supportive
housing options for homeless veterans and
former service members. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2026. $440,000 the first year is for the direct
veteran assistance grant. This is a onetime
appropriation. Any unencumbered balance
remaining in this subdivision in the first year
for grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council
for Veterans does not cancel and is available
for the second year. Assistance authorized
under this paragraph must be provided only
to a veteran who has resided in Minnesota for
30 days prior to the veteran's application for
assistance and according to other guidelines
established by the commissioner. To avoid
duplication of services, the commissioner must
ensure that this assistance is coordinated with
all other available programs for veterans.

(o) Veterans Bonus Program. $15,000,000
the first year is for service bonuses to
Post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2024.

(p) Metro Meals on Wheels. $540,000 each
year is for a grant to Metro Meals on Wheels
to provide: (1) home-delivered meals to
veterans; and (2) technical, enrollment,
outreach, and volunteer recruitment assistance
to member programs. Metro Meals on Wheels
must report to the commissioner of veterans
affairs and the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and
finance by September 1 each year with a
detailed explanation of how the grant money
was used and the number of veterans and
service members served by the program. This
is a onetime appropriation. new text begin Any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available for the second year.
new text end

(q) Minnesota Military and Veterans
Museum. $225,000 the second year is for a
grant to the Minnesota Military and Veterans
Museum for museum staff to provide direct
services to veterans and their families. The
base for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(r) Every Third Saturday. $100,000 each
year is for a grant to Every Third Saturday to
provide veterans with emergency assistance
and internships. Every Third Saturday must
report to the commissioner of veterans affairs
and the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over veterans affairs policy and finance no
later than September 1, 2024, and by
September 1 of each subsequent year. Each
report must include, at a minimum, a detailed
explanation of how the grant money was used
and the number of veterans served by the
program. These are onetime appropriations.

(s) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
$4,311,000 the first year and $1,311,000 the
second year are for an initiative to prevent and
end veteran homelessness.

(t) Veterans Campground Wastewater
System Upgrades. $744,000 the first year is
for one or more grants to the Veterans
Campground on Big Marine Lake, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, to design, engineer,
permit, and construct wastewater systems on
campground property to increase the capacity
of wastewater systems. This is a onetime
appropriation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end