HF 1648

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/20/2013 10:42am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans' civil rights; requiring the legislative auditor to audit the
hiring of veterans in public employment; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin VETERANS HIRING AUDIT.
new text end

new text begin (a) Since veterans experience a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the
general population and the enforcement of the veteran hiring preference is a civil right that
ought to be defended, the state must take proactive efforts to ensure that veterans are given
employment opportunities, both with the state and with local governments throughout the
state, in order to assist in veteran reintegration and also to help the economy grow. The
purpose of this section is to address veteran unemployment.
new text end

new text begin (b) The legislative auditor must audit the hiring practices of the state of Minnesota
and of all local governments in the state related to the hiring of veterans for public
employment positions. The audit must include the following information:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of open public employment positions in Minnesota from January
1, 2011, to December 31, 2012;
new text end

new text begin (2) the percentage of open public employment positions that were subject to a
veteran's preference in Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.11 or 197.445, from January
1, 2011, to December 31, 2012;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of applicants who claimed a veteran's preference for all open public
employment positions from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2012; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of veterans hired by the state and all local governments from January
1, 2011, to December 31, 2012.
new text end

new text begin (c) The legislative auditor must report its findings from the audit required under
paragraph (a) by February 15, 2014, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, "local government" includes a county, city, town,
school district, or other municipality or political subdivision of this state.
new text end

new text begin (e) For purposes of this section, "open public employment positions" includes any
employment position for which the state of Minnesota or any local government was hiring
between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2014 to the legislative
auditor to carry out the audit required under section 1.
new text end