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

1.5 	Section 1. VETERANS DEFENSE PROJECT; REPORT.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Appropriation. $400,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $400,000 in fiscal year 
1.7 	2021 are appropriated from the general fund to the Minnesota Humanities Center, which 
1.8 	shall serve as the fiscal agent for the appropriations authorized under this section for grants 
1.9 	to the veterans defense project. The veterans defense project must use the grant money to 
1.10 	support, through education, outreach, and legal training, military veterans who are involved 
1.11 	with the criminal justice system.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Report. The veterans defense project must report to the commissioner of 
1.13 	veterans affairs and the chairs and ranking members of the house and senate committees 
1.14 	overseeing veterans affairs policy and finance by January 15 of each year. The report must 
1.15 	include: an overview of the project's budget; a detailed explanation of project expenditures; 
1.16 	the number of veterans and service members served by the project; a list and explanation 
1.17 	of the services provided to project participants; and details of the project's education, 
1.18 	outreach, and legal assistance programs.