1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans and military affairs; appropriating money; requiring a report;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 196.05, subdivision 1; Laws 2016, 
1.4 	chapter 189, article 13, section 64; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes, chapter 10.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	ARTICLE 1
1.8 	APPROPRIATIONS

1.9	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.10 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
1.11 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
1.12 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
1.13 	The figures "2020" and "2021" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
1.14 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, or June 30, 2021, respectively. 
1.15 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2020. "The second year" is fiscal year 2021. "The biennium" 
1.16 	is fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

1.17				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.18				Available for the Year
	
1.19				Ending June 30
	
1.20					2020
		2021

1.21	Sec. 2. MILITARY AFFAIRS

1.22	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	22,989,000
	$
	22,939,000
	
2.1 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.2 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.3 	subdivisions.

2.4	Subd. 2.Maintenance of Training Facilities
 		9,701,000
		9,701,000

2.5	Subd. 3.General Support
 		3,124,000
		3,124,000

2.6	Subd. 4.Enlistment Incentives
 		10,114,000
		10,114,000
	
2.7 	The appropriations in this subdivision are 
2.8 	available until June 30, 2023, except that any 
2.9 	unspent amounts allocated to a program 
2.10 	otherwise supported by this appropriation are 
2.11 	canceled to the general fund upon receipt of 
2.12 	federal funds in the same amount to support 
2.13 	administration of that program.
2.14 	If appropriations for either year of the 
2.15 	biennium are insufficient, the appropriation 
2.16 	from the other year is available.

2.17	Subd. 5.Transfer
 		50,000
		-0-
	
2.18 	$50,000 in fiscal year 2020 is for transfer to 
2.19 	the Support Our Troops account for grants to 
2.20 	one or more eligible foundations for the 
2.21 	purpose of making grants to eligible 
2.22 	individuals as specified under Minnesota 
2.23 	Statutes, section 190.19, subdivision 2, 
2.24 	paragraph (a), clause (2). The amount 
2.25 	transferred does not cancel and is available 
2.26 	until expended.

2.27	Sec. 3. VETERANS AFFAIRS

2.28	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	75,723,000
	$
	75,423,000
	
2.29 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.30 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.31 	subdivisions.

2.32	Subd. 2.Veterans Programs and Services
 		17,382,000
		17,132,000
	
3.1 	(a) CORE Program. $500,000 each year is 
3.2 	for the Counseling and Case Management 
3.3 	Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) 
3.4 	program.
3.5 	(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
3.6 	$353,000 each year is for grants to the 
3.7 	following congressionally chartered veterans 
3.8 	service organizations as designated by the 
3.9 	commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, 
3.10 	Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 
3.11 	American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
3.12 	Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and 
3.13 	Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding 
3.14 	must be allocated in direct proportion to the 
3.15 	funding currently being provided by the 
3.16 	commissioner to these organizations.
3.17 	(c) Minnesota Assistance Council for 
3.18 	Veterans. $750,000 each year is for a grant 
3.19 	to the Minnesota Assistance Council for 
3.20 	Veterans to provide assistance throughout 
3.21 	Minnesota to veterans and their families who 
3.22 	are homeless or in danger of homelessness, 
3.23 	including assistance with the following:
3.24 	(1) utilities;
3.25 	(2) employment; and
3.26 	(3) legal issues.
3.27 	The assistance authorized under this paragraph 
3.28 	must be made only to veterans who have 
3.29 	resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to 
3.30 	application for assistance and according to 
3.31 	other guidelines established by the 
3.32 	commissioner. In order to avoid duplication 
3.33 	of services, the commissioner must ensure that 
4.1 	this assistance is coordinated with all other 
4.2 	available programs for veterans.
4.3 	(d) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $1,272,000 
4.4 	each year is for the state's veterans cemeteries.
4.5 	(e) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for 
4.6 	compensation for honor guards at the funerals 
4.7 	of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
4.8 	197.231.
4.9 	(f) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is 
4.10 	for the costs of administering the Minnesota 
4.11 	GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits, 
4.12 	on-the-job training, and apprenticeship 
4.13 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
4.14 	197.791.
4.15 	(g) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year 
4.16 	is for administering the Gold Star Program for 
4.17 	surviving family members of deceased 
4.18 	veterans.
4.19 	(h) County Veterans Service Office.
4.20 	$1,100,000 each year is for funding the 
4.21 	County Veterans Service Office grant program 
4.22 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
4.23 	(i) Armed Forces Service Center. $100,000 
4.24 	in the first year is for a onetime grant to the 
4.25 	Armed Forces Service Center at the 
4.26 	Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for construction 
4.27 	costs related to the remodeling of the Armed 
4.28 	Forces Service Center and for refurbishing the 
4.29 	center's furniture and beds used by service 
4.30 	members between connecting flights and while 
4.31 	awaiting ground transportation when traveling 
4.32 	individually or by unit to and from military 
4.33 	duty assignments.
5.1 	As a condition of issuing this grant, the 
5.2 	commissioner must ensure that the center 
5.3 	provides matching funding for this purpose. 
5.4 	The commissioner must also ensure that no 
5.5 	part of this grant may be spent for salary or 
5.6 	related benefits for any person or for the 
5.7 	operations of the center.
5.8 	(j) Medal of Honor Memorial. $150,000 in 
5.9 	the second year is for deposit in the Medal of 
5.10 	Honor Memorial account established under 
5.11 	Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 13, section 
5.12 	64, subdivision 2. The commissioner shall use 
5.13 	the amount transferred under this section to 
5.14 	construct the Medal of Honor Commemorative 
5.15 	Memorial. This transfer is not available until 
5.16 	the commissioner of management and budget 
5.17 	determines that an equal amount is committed 
5.18 	from other nonstate sources. This is a onetime 
5.19 	appropriation.

5.20	Subd. 3.Veterans Health Care
 		58,291,000
		58,291,000
	
5.21 	(a) Transfers. These appropriations may be 
5.22 	transferred to a veterans homes special 
5.23 	revenue account in the special revenue fund 
5.24 	in the same manner as other receipts are 
5.25 	deposited according to Minnesota Statutes, 
5.26 	section 198.34, and are appropriated to the 
5.27 	commissioner of veterans affairs for the 
5.28 	operation of veterans homes facilities and 
5.29 	programs.
5.30 	(b) Report. No later than January 15, 2020, 
5.31 	the commissioner must submit a report to the 
5.32 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
5.33 	veterans affairs and state government finance 
5.34 	on reserve amounts maintained in the veterans 
5.35 	homes special revenue account. The report 
6.1 	must detail current and historical amounts 
6.2 	maintained as a reserve, and uses of those 
6.3 	amounts. The report must also include data on 
6.4 	the utilization of existing veterans homes, 
6.5 	including current and historical bed capacity 
6.6 	and usage, staffing levels and staff vacancy 
6.7 	rates, and staff-to-resident ratios.
6.8 	(c) Maximize Federal Reimbursements. The 
6.9 	department shall seek opportunities to 
6.10 	maximize federal reimbursements of 
6.11 	Medicare-eligible expenses and provide annual 
6.12 	reports to the commissioner of management 
6.13 	and budget on the federal Medicare 
6.14 	reimbursements received. Contingent upon 
6.15 	future federal Medicare receipts, reductions 
6.16 	to the homes' general fund appropriation may 
6.17 	be made.

6.18	Subd. 4.Transfer
 		50,000
		-0-
	
6.19 	$50,000 in fiscal year 2020 is for transfer to 
6.20 	the Support Our Troops account for providing 
6.21 	services and programs for veterans and their 
6.22 	families as specified in Minnesota Statutes, 
6.23 	section 190.19, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), 
6.24 	clause (3), and for the agency's uncompensated 
6.25 	burial costs for eligible dependents to whom 
6.26 	the commissioner grants a no-fee or 
6.27 	reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran 
6.28 	cemeteries pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 
6.29 	section 197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b), 
6.30 	as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 
6.31 	190.19, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause  
6.32 	(7). The amount transferred does not cancel 
6.33 	and is available until expended.

7.1 	Sec. 4. CANCELLATION.
 7.2 	All unspent funds, estimated to be $350,000, to provide grants to the veterans Journey 
7.3 	Home program in fiscal year 2019 under Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 4, article 
7.4 	1, section 38, subdivision 2, are canceled to the general fund by June 29, 2019.

7.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

7.6 	ARTICLE 2
7.7 	POLICY

7.8 	Section 1. [10.576] POW AND MIA RECOGNITION DAY.
7.9 	The third Friday in September of each year is designated as Prisoners of War (POW) 
7.10 	and Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day to honor and recognize the courage and 
7.11 	sacrifices of individuals from Minnesota who have been prisoners of war or who are missing 
7.12 	in action. Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.

7.13 	Sec. 2. [10.578] VETERANS SUICIDE AWARENESS DAY.
7.14 	The first Saturday of every October is designated Veterans Suicide Awareness Day. 
7.15 	Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.

7.16 	Sec. 3. [10.597] AMERICAN ALLIES DAY.
7.17 	(a) June 30 of each year is designated American Allies Day for the purpose of honoring 
7.18 	foreign-born persons who fought in conflicts around the world on behalf of and alongside 
7.19 	the United States armed forces.
7.20 	(b) Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.
7.21 	(c) Schools are encouraged to offer instruction on the role of America's allies during its 
7.22 	military conflicts, including but not limited to sharing the stories of those who fought for 
7.23 	freedom and democracy against tyranny and despotism with special emphasis on those who 
7.24 	fought on behalf of American allies or alongside American armed forces and later emigrated 
7.25 	to Minnesota.

7.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

7.27 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 196.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.28 		Subdivision 1.General duties. The commissioner shall:
8.1 	(1) act as the agent of a resident of the state having a claim against the United States for 
8.2 	benefits arising out of or by reason of service in the armed forces and prosecute the claim 
8.3 	without charge;
8.4 	(2) act as custodian of veterans' bonus records;
8.5 	(3) administer the laws relating to the providing of bronze flag holders at veterans' graves 
8.6 	for memorial purposes;
8.7 	(4) administer the laws relating to recreational or rest camps for veterans so far as 
8.8 	applicable to state agencies;
8.9 	(5) administer the state soldiers' assistance fund and veterans' relief fund and other funds 
8.10 	appropriated for the payment of bonuses or other benefits to veterans or for the rehabilitation 
8.11 	of veterans;
8.12 	(6) cooperate with national, state, county, municipal, and private social agencies in 
8.13 	securing to veterans and their dependents the benefits provided by national, state, and county 
8.14 	laws, municipal ordinances, or public and private social agencies;
8.15 	(7) provide necessary assistance where other adequate aid is not available to the dependent 
8.16 	family of a veteran while the veteran is hospitalized and after the veteran is released for as 
8.17 	long a period as is necessary as determined by the commissioner;
8.18 	(8) cooperate with United States governmental agencies providing compensation, 
8.19 	pensions, insurance, or other benefits provided by federal law, by supplementing the benefits 
8.20 	prescribed therein, when conditions in an individual case make it necessary;
8.21 	(9) assist dependent family members of military personnel who are called from reserve 
8.22 	status to extended federal active duty during a time of war or national emergency through 
8.23 	the state soldiers' assistance fund provided by section 197.03;
8.24 	(10) exercise other powers as may be authorized and necessary to carry out the provisions 
8.25 	of this chapter and chapter chapters 197, consistent with that chapter and 198;
8.26 	(11) provide information, referral, and counseling services to those veterans who may 
8.27 	have suffered adverse health conditions as a result of possible exposure to chemical agents; 
8.28 	and
8.29 	(12) in coordination with the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers, 
8.30 	develop a written disclosure statement for use by private providers of veterans benefits 
8.31 	services as required under section 197.6091. At a minimum, the written disclosure statement 
8.32 	shall include a signature line, contact information for the department, and a statement that 
9.1 	veterans benefits services are offered at no cost by federally chartered veterans service 
9.2 	organizations and by county veterans service officers.

9.3 	Sec. 5. Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 13, section 64, is amended to read:
9.4 	Sec. 64. MEMORIAL COMMEMORATING RECIPIENTS OF THE MEDAL OF 
9.5 	HONOR.
 9.6 		Subdivision 1.Medal of Honor Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. Subject to 
9.7 	approval by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, the commissioner of 
9.8 	administration shall place a memorial on the State Capitol grounds to honor Minnesotans 
9.9 	awarded the Medal of Honor.
9.10 		Subd. 2.Gifts and grants. The commissioner of veterans affairs may solicit gifts, grants, 
9.11 	or donations of any kind from any private or public source to carry out the purposes of this 
9.12 	section. A Medal of Honor Memorial account is created in the special revenue fund. The 
9.13 	account consists of money transferred by law to the account and any other money donated, 
9.14 	gifted, granted, allotted, or otherwise provided to the account. All gifts, grants, or donations 
9.15 	received by the commissioner shall be deposited in a Medal of Honor Memorial account in 
9.16 	the special revenue fund. Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner 
9.17 	of administration for predesign, design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the 
9.18 	memorial.
9.19 		Subd. 3.Restrictions. Money deposited in the Medal of Honor Memorial account is not 
9.20 	available until the commissioner of management and budget has determined an amount 
9.21 	sufficient to complete predesign of the memorial has been committed to the project from 
9.22 	nonstate sources. The commissioner of administration shall not begin construction on this 
9.23 	project until money in the account is sufficient to pay for all costs related to construction 
9.24 	and ongoing maintenance of the memorial.

9.25 	Sec. 6. PLAQUE.
 9.26 		Subdivision 1.Purpose. The state wishes to honor all Minnesota veterans who have 
9.27 	honorably and bravely served in the United States armed forces, both at home and abroad, 
9.28 	during World War I.
9.29 		Subd. 2.Plaque authorized. The commissioner of administration shall place a memorial 
9.30 	plaque in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to recognize the valiant service of 
9.31 	Minnesota veterans who have honorably and bravely served in the United States armed 
9.32 	forces, both at home and abroad, during World War I. This plaque will replace the current 
10.1 	plaque honoring veterans who served abroad during World War I. The Capitol Area 
10.2 	Architectural and Planning Board shall solicit design submissions from the public. Each 
10.3 	design submission must include a commitment to furnish the plaque at no cost to the state. 
10.4 	The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board shall select a design from those submitted 
10.5 	to use as a basis for final production. The selected design must be approved by the 
10.6 	commissioner of veterans affairs and must be furnished by the person or group who submitted 
10.7 	the design at no cost to the state.

10.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.