1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; authorizing the placement of a plaque on the Capitol grounds 
1.3 	honoring the nation's war dogs and their handlers; establishing a task force; 
1.4 	requiring a report.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. PLAQUE HONORING MILITARY WAR DOGS AND THEIR 
1.7 	HANDLERS.
 1.8 	A memorial plaque may be placed in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to 
1.9 	recognize the valiant service to our nation by the thousands of brave military war dogs and 
1.10 	their handlers who served honorably as members of the United States armed forces during 
1.11 	all of our nation's wars and during peacetime. The plaque must be furnished by a person 
1.12 	or organization other than the Department of Veterans Affairs and must be approved by the 
1.13 	commissioner of veterans affairs and the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board.

1.14 	Sec. 2. TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED.
 1.15 	An implementation and steering task force is established to develop strategies around 
1.16 	the master plan for restoration of Victory Memorial Drive Historic District, as designated 
1.17 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 138.73, subdivision 26, including, but not limited to, efforts 
1.18 	to secure National Register designation and other efforts to provide funding to preserve 
1.19 	and restore the district's significant historical components and natural features.

1.20 	Sec. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
 1.21 	The implementation and steering task force shall consist of 13 members including: 
1.22 	(1) the director of the Minnesota Historical Society or a designee;
2.1 	(2) the Minneapolis City Council member representing the area;
2.2 	(3) the Robbinsdale City Council member representing the area;
2.3 	(4) the chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners or the chair's 
2.4 	designee;
2.5 	(5) the president of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or the president's 
2.6 	designee;
2.7 	(6) two members from the house of representatives representing the area;
2.8 	(7) two members of the senate representing the area;
2.9 	(8) two citizen representatives appointed by the chair; and
2.10 	(9) two representatives from local veterans organizations appointed by the chair.

2.11 	Sec. 4. REPORT.
 2.12 	The implementation and steering task force shall report its actions to the appropriate 
2.13 	policy committees of the legislature once each biennium.

2.14 	Sec. 5. STAFF SUPPORT.
 2.15 	The State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society; the 
2.16 	Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission; the Minneapolis Department of Public 
2.17 	Works; the Minneapolis Department of Grants and Planning; the Minneapolis Park Board; 
2.18 	and the city of Robbinsdale shall provide staff support to the Victory Memorial Drive 
2.19 	Implementation and Steering Task Force.

2.20 	Sec. 6. SUNSET.
 2.21 	The implementation and steering task force established in section 2 expires on 
2.22 	December 31, 2009.

2.23 	Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.24 	Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.