1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; establishing a retired state service dog veterinary 
1.3 	care reimbursement program; appropriating money;proposing coding for new law 
1.4 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16B.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [16B.2999] RETIRED STATE SERVICE DOG VETERINARY CARE.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
1.8 	the meanings given.
1.9 	(b) "Account" means the retired state service dog veterinary care account established in 
1.10 	this section.
1.11 	(c) "Executive branch state agency" has the meaning given in section 16A.011.
1.12 	(d) "State service dog" means a dog that serves or has served in an official capacity for 
1.13 	an executive branch state agency, including but not limited to detecting criminal activity, 
1.14 	apprehending offenders, maintaining the security and safety of correctional or other state 
1.15 	facilities, conducting searches, protecting handlers, promoting public safety, or assisting in 
1.16 	other law enforcement activity.
1.17 	(e) "Veterinary care" means veterinary medical care provided, and veterinary medicine 
1.18 	prescribed, by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 156.
1.19 		Subd. 2.Account created; appropriation. A retired state service dog veterinary care 
1.20 	account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account, including interest 
1.21 	earned, is appropriated to the commissioner to reimburse eligible veterinary care costs for 
1.22 	retired state service dogs.
2.1 		Subd. 3.Annual contribution. Each fiscal year, an executive branch state agency must 
2.2 	remit to the commissioner $1,000 for each state service dog employed by the agency at any 
2.3 	time during the fiscal year. If funding is not appropriated to the executive branch state 
2.4 	agency for this purpose, the agency may make the payment required under this subdivision 
2.5 	from an appropriation for the agency's general operations. The commissioner must deposit 
2.6 	money received under this subdivision in the account.
2.7 		Subd. 4.Reimbursement. The owner of a retired state service dog may apply to the 
2.8 	commissioner for reimbursement of the owner's documented cost to obtain veterinary care 
2.9 	for the retired state service dog. The owner must apply in the form required by the 
2.10 	commissioner. The commissioner may reimburse an owner up to $1,500 each year for each 
2.11 	retired state service dog owned by the person.

2.12 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.13 	This act is effective July 1, 2020, and applies to dogs that begin state service on or after 
2.14 	that date.