1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; changing certain provisions concerning location and cost of 
1.3 	new veterans cemeteries;amending Laws 2009, chapter 93, article 1, section 14, 
1.4 	subdivision 3; Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Laws 2009, chapter 93, article 1, section 14, subdivision 3, is amended to 
1.7 	read:

1.8	Subd. 3.Veterans Cemeteries
 				1,500,000
	
1.9 	Of this amount, up to $500,000 is 
1.10 	to acquire land located in Redwood 
1.11 	County southeastern, southwestern, and 
1.12 	northeastern Minnesota for publicly owned 
1.13 	veterans cemeteries, to be operated by 
1.14 	the commissioner of veterans affairs. The 
1.15 	commissioner also must seek donations of 
1.16 	land for the cemeteries. The balance of the 
1.17 	appropriation is to predesign and design 
1.18 	the cemeteries. Federal reimbursement of 
1.19 	design costs for each cemetery must be 
1.20 	deposited in the state treasury and credited to 
1.21 	a special account and is appropriated to the 
1.22 	commissioner of veterans affairs to design the 
1.23 	remaining cemeteries. Following completion 
1.24 	of all legislatively authorized Minnesota 
2.1 	state veterans cemeteries, final federal 
2.2 	reimbursement of predesign and design costs 
2.3 	is appropriated to the commissioner for asset 
2.4 	preservation of veterans homes statewide, 
2.5 	to be spent in accordance with Minnesota 
2.6 	Statutes, section 16B.307.

2.7 	Sec. 2. Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23, is amended to read:
2.8 	Sec. 23. PLANNING NEW VETERANS CEMETERIES.
 2.9 	(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall determine a suitable site and plan for 
2.10 	three new state veterans cemeteries, one to be located in northeastern Minnesota, one to 
2.11 	be located in southeastern Minnesota, and one to be located in southwestern Minnesota. 
2.12 	In determining the site for a cemetery, the commissioner shall consider available public 
2.13 	land options and shall seek proposals for donated land from interested counties, local 
2.14 	communities, civic organizations, veterans service organizations, and individuals.
2.15 	(b) For determining the veterans cemetery site in southeastern Minnesota, the 
2.16 	commissioner shall give priority consideration to land owned and proposed for donation 
2.17 	by the county of Fillmore.
2.18 	(c) The commissioner's planning process for a state veterans cemetery must include, 
2.19 	at a minimum, the following actions:
2.20 	(1) determining the need for the cemetery;
2.21 	(2) investigating the availability of suitable land for the cemetery;
2.22 	(3) assessment of impacts of the cemetery;
2.23 	(4) encouragement of support from veteran service organizations and local 
2.24 	governments; and 
2.25 	(5) preparation and submission of a preapplication for a grant from the United States 
2.26 	Department of Veterans Affairs for commitment of funding for establishing the cemetery.
2.27 	(d) By January 15, 2011, the commissioner shall report to the chair and ranking 
2.28 	minority member of the house of representatives and senate committees having 
2.29 	responsibility for veterans affairs with a report of the commissioner's progress in 
2.30 	implementing this section.

2.31 	Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.32 	Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.