1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to veterans affairs; clarifying that certain 
  1.3             benefits are limited to state residents; amending 
  1.4             Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 197.05. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 197.05, is 
  1.7   amended to read: 
  1.8      197.05 [FUND, HOW EXPENDED.] 
  1.9      (a) The state soldiers' assistance fund shall be 
  1.10  administered by the commissioner of veterans affairs and shall 
  1.11  be used to locate and investigate the facts as to any citizen of 
  1.12  Minnesota resident or resident alien residing in Minnesota who 
  1.13  served in the military or naval forces of the United States and 
  1.14  who is indigent or suffering from any disability whether 
  1.15  acquired in the service or not; to assist the person and the 
  1.16  person's dependents as hereinafter provided in establishing and 
  1.17  proving any just claim the person may have against the United 
  1.18  States government, or any other government or state for 
  1.19  compensation, insurance, relief, or other benefits; to provide 
  1.20  emergency hospitalization, treatment, maintenance, and relief 
  1.21  for any person suffering from disability who was a bona fide 
  1.22  resident of the state at the time the need arose and the 
  1.23  person's dependents, as hereinafter provided; and to cooperate 
  1.24  with other state, municipal, and county officials and civic or 
  1.25  civilian agencies or organizations in carrying out the 
  2.1   provisions of sections 197.03 to 197.07.  The commissioner shall 
  2.2   limit financial assistance to veterans and dependents to six 
  2.3   months, unless recipients have been certified as ineligible for 
  2.4   other benefit programs. 
  2.5      (b) For purposes of this section, "resident" means a person 
  2.6   living in Minnesota for at least 30 days with the intention of 
  2.7   making the person's home in this state and not for any temporary 
  2.8   purpose.  The commissioner may require that the applicant 
  2.9   demonstrate the requisite intent by showing that the person 
  2.10  maintains a residence at a verified address, other than a place 
  2.11  of public accommodation.  An applicant may verify a residence 
  2.12  address by presenting a valid state driver's license, a state 
  2.13  identification card, a voter registration card, a rent receipt, 
  2.14  a statement by the landlord, apartment manager, or homeowner 
  2.15  verifying that the individual is residing at the address, or 
  2.16  other form of verification approved by the commissioner. 
  2.17     (c) The fund is appropriated to be used in the manner 
  2.18  determined by the commissioner of veterans affairs for these 
  2.19  purposes. 
  2.20     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective the day 
  2.21  following final enactment.