1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to military veterans; appropriating money for a grant to the veterans defense 
1.3 	project.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. VETERANS DEFENSE PROJECT.
 1.6 	(a) $350,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $350,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from 
1.7 	the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs for grants to the veterans defense 
1.8 	project. The veterans defense project must use the grant money to support, through education, 
1.9 	outreach, and legal assistance, military veterans who are involved with the criminal justice 
1.10 	system.
1.11 	(b) The veterans defense project shall only use the grant money authorized under this 
1.12 	section to serve individuals who:
1.13 	(1) meet the definition of veteran under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.447; and
1.14 	(2) are residents of this state.
1.15 	(c) The veterans defense project must report, by February 1, 2019, to the chairs and 
1.16 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans 
1.17 	affairs on the use of the grant money authorized under this section, including the number 
1.18 	of veterans served and the outcomes of that service.