1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans and military affairs; expanding the powers of the adjutant 
1.3 	general; modifying veterans home provisions; modifying provisions related to 
1.4 	armories; amending policy provisions related to veterans; extending the availability 
1.5 	of a grant for the veterans Meals on Wheels program;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.6 	2022, sections 13.02, subdivision 3a; 13.785; 190.16, subdivisions 3, 6a; 192.25; 
1.7 	192.501, by adding a subdivision; 192.67; 193.143; 193.29, subdivisions 1, 4; 
1.8 	193.36, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 197.63, subdivision 1; 198.005; 
1.9 	198.006; 375.34; 375.35; 609.396; Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23, 
1.10 	as amended; Laws 2023, chapter 38, article 1, section 3, subdivisions 2, 3.
1.11 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.12 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.02, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
1.13 		Subd. 3a.Criminal justice agencies. "Criminal justice agencies" means all state and 
1.14 	local prosecution authorities, all state and local law enforcement agencies, the Sentencing 
1.15 	Guidelines Commission, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Department of 
1.16 	Corrections, the Minnesota National Guard, and all probation officers who are not part of 
1.17 	the judiciary.

1.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.785, is amended to read:
1.19 	13.785 VETERANS OR MILITARY AFFAIRS DATA CODED ELSEWHERE.
1.20 		Subdivision 1.Scope. The sections referred to in this section are codified outside this 
1.21 	chapter. Those sections classify veterans or military affairs data as other than public, place 
1.22 	restrictions on access to government data, or involve data sharing.
2.1 		Subd. 2.Department of Veterans Affairs. (a) Certain veterans benefits and military 
2.2 	certificates of discharge. Access to military certificates of discharge and to files pertaining 
2.3 	to claims for certain veterans benefits is governed by section 196.08.
2.4 	(b) Environmental Hazards Information and Assistance Act. Disclosure of summary 
2.5 	data and of the identity of a veteran about whom information is received under sections 
2.6 	196.19 to 196.26, is governed by section 196.25.
2.7 		Subd. 3.Veterans rewards and privileges; service officers. Data maintained by county 
2.8 	veterans service officers are classified under section 197.603.
2.9 		Subd. 4.Deceased veterans data. Data relating to veterans deceased as a result of 
2.10 	service-connected causes are classified under section 197.225.
2.11 		Subd. 5.Veterans stable housing. Data maintained for purposes of the veterans stable 
2.12 	housing initiative is classified under section 196.081.
2.13 		Subd. 6.Service member data; disclosure to adjutant general. Access to data on a 
2.14 	service member of the military forces by the adjutant general of the Minnesota National 
2.15 	Guard is governed by section 192.67, subdivision 2.

2.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.16, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.17 		Subd. 3.Contracts; agreements. When prescribed or required by the laws of the United 
2.18 	States and any rules or regulations made thereunder, and Notwithstanding any state law to 
2.19 	the contrary, the adjutant general shall be the contracting authority and officer for any 
2.20 	construction, improvement or maintenance program or project, or any other program or 
2.21 	project financed either in whole or in part by moneys made available by the federal 
2.22 	government and may execute agreements and contracts for and in behalf of the state therefor, 
2.23 	including a dedication of the primary use and purpose of such buildings, air bases, roads, 
2.24 	utilities or other structures or facilities required in the training, housing, and maintenance 
2.25 	of the military forces of the state for periods up to and including 25 years.

2.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.16, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
2.27 		Subd. 6a.Rental of Camp Ripley military facilities. The adjutant general or the adjutant 
2.28 	general's designee may rent buildings or other facilities at Camp Ripley of the Minnesota 
2.29 	National Guard to persons under terms and conditions specified by the adjutant general or 
2.30 	designee. Subject to any prohibitions or restrictions in any agreement between the United 
2.31 	States and the state of Minnesota, proceeds of rentals under this subdivision must be applied 
2.32 	as follows:
3.1 	(1) payment of increased utilities, maintenance, or other costs directly attributable to 
3.2 	the rental;
3.3 	(2) other operating and maintenance or repair costs for the building or facility being 
3.4 	rented; and
3.5 	(3) maintenance and improvement of buildings or other facilities at Camp Ripley.
3.6 	Rentals under this subdivision must be made under terms and conditions that do not conflict 
3.7 	with the use of Camp Ripley the facilities for military purposes.

3.8 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 192.25, is amended to read:
3.9 	192.25 EXEMPTION FROM PROCESS; TRANSFER TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES.
3.10 		Subdivision 1.Exemption from process. No member of the guard shall be arrested, or 
3.11 	served with any summons, order, warrant or other civil process after having been ordered 
3.12 	to any duty or while going to, attending or returning from any place to which the member 
3.13 	is required to go for military duty; but nothing herein shall prevent an arrest by order of a 
3.14 	military officer or for a felony or breach of the peace committed while not in the actual 
3.15 	performance of assigned duties. The articles of equipment personally owned by such members 
3.16 	shall be exempt from seizure or sale for debt.
3.17 		Subd. 2.Transfer to civil authorities. When probable cause exists that a criminal 
3.18 	offense, other than a crime designated as a purely military offense in section 192A.021, has 
3.19 	been committed by any officer or enlisted member of the military forces while on duty 
3.20 	status other than federal duty, the officer or enlisted member may be turned over by superior 
3.21 	officers to the proper civil authorities of the county or municipality in which the offense 
3.22 	occurred for adjudication of such crime, to include imposition of pretrial restraint, but trial 
3.23 	and punishment by the civil authorities shall not preclude trial and additional punishment 
3.24 	or dismissal from the service by court-martial for any military offense resulting from the 
3.25 	commission of said crime.

3.26 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 192.501, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
3.27 	read:
3.28 		Subd. 1e.Referral bonus program. (a) The adjutant general may establish a program 
3.29 	to provide a bonus for referrals leading to enlistment in or commissioning into the Minnesota 
3.30 	National Guard.
3.31 	(b) The adjutant general may determine eligibility criteria for the bonus.  The adjutant 
3.32 	general must specify all criteria for the bonus in regulations and publish changes as necessary.
4.1 	(c) The referral bonus payments must be made on a schedule that is determined and 
4.2 	published in department regulations by the adjutant general.
4.3 	(d) If the adjutant general determines that a referral bonus was paid to an individual who 
4.4 	was ineligible, the adjutant general may seek to recoup the bonus.
4.5 	(e) If the adjutant general implements a referral bonus program, the adjutant general 
4.6 	must:
4.7 	(1) notify the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Minnesota National Guard;
4.8 	(2) develop internal controls for the referral bonus program aimed at preventing fraud, 
4.9 	waste, and abuse of government resources, and publish these internal controls in regulation;
4.10 	(3) by January 16 each year, submit regulations developed under this subdivision to the 
4.11 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Minnesota National Guard; and
4.12 	(4) maintain an accurate record of the recipients and benefits paid under this subdivision 
4.13 	and summarize this information in the agency performance report, including information 
4.14 	regarding the rank and unit locations of bonus recipients.

4.15 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 192.67, is amended to read:
4.16 	192.67 OFFENDERS; TRANSFER TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES; SERVICE 
4.17 	MEMBER DATA.
4.18 		Subdivision 1.Transfer to civil authorities. When any criminal offense is committed 
4.19 	by any officer or enlisted member of the military forces while on duty status other than 
4.20 	federal duty, the officer or enlisted member shall be turned over by superior officers to the 
4.21 	proper civil authorities of the county or municipality in which the offense occurred for 
4.22 	punishment for such crime, but such trial and punishment by the civil authorities shall not 
4.23 	preclude trial and additional punishment or dismissal from the service by court-martial for 
4.24 	any military offense resulting from the commission of said crime.
4.25 		Subd. 2.Service member data. Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 13 or other 
4.26 	state law, all confidential data on individuals and private data on individuals, as defined by 
4.27 	section 13.02, subdivisions 3 and 12, pertaining to any service member of the military forces 
4.28 	and maintained by any government entity, including but not limited to investigative reports 
4.29 	and law enforcement data, including but not limited to all data collected and defined under 
4.30 	section 13.82pertaining to any service member of the military forces, must be made 
4.31 	accessible to the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard upon request of the 
4.32 	Office of the State Judge Advocate, except for data under chapter 5B. All information, data, 
5.1 	and records obtained under this subdivision may be accessed, copied, transmitted, or provided 
5.2 	to the adjutant general without a court order or request from the subject of the data when 
5.3 	the matter involves any officer or enlisted member of the military forces. The adjutant 
5.4 	general may only use data made accessible under this subdivision in support of military 
5.5 	justice and Minnesota National Guard administrative and disciplinary actions.

5.6 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.143, is amended to read:
5.7 	193.143 STATE ARMORY BUILDING COMMISSION, POWERS.
5.8 	Such corporation, subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed in sections 193.141
5.9 	to 193.149, shall possess all the powers of a body corporate necessary and convenient to 
5.10 	accomplish the objectives and perform the duties prescribed by sections 193.141 to 193.149, 
5.11 	including the following, which shall not be construed as a limitation upon the general powers 
5.12 	hereby conferred:
5.13 	(1) To acquire by lease, purchase, gift, or condemnation proceedings all necessary right, 
5.14 	title, and interest in and to the lands required for a site for a new armory and all other real 
5.15 	or personal property required for the purposes contemplated by the Military Code and to 
5.16 	hold and dispose of the same, subject to the conditions and limitations herein prescribed; 
5.17 	provided that any such real or personal property or interest therein may be so acquired or 
5.18 	accepted subject to any condition which may be imposed thereon by the grantor or donor 
5.19 	and agreed to by such corporation not inconsistent with the proper use of such property by 
5.20 	the state for armory or military purposes as herein provided.
5.21 	(2) To exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by chapter 117, 
5.22 	for the purpose of acquiring any property which such corporation is herein authorized to 
5.23 	acquire by condemnation; provided, that the corporation may take possession of any such 
5.24 	property so to be acquired at any time after the filing of the petition describing the same in 
5.25 	condemnation proceedings; provided further, that this shall not preclude the corporation 
5.26 	from abandoning the condemnation of any such property in any case where possession 
5.27 	thereof has not been taken.
5.28 	(3) To construct and equip new armories as authorized herein; to pay therefor out of the 
5.29 	funds obtained as hereinafter provided and to hold, manage, and dispose of such armory, 
5.30 	equipment, and site as hereinafter provided. The total amount of bonds issued on account 
5.31 	of such armories shall not exceed the amount of the cost thereof; provided also, that the 
5.32 	total bonded indebtedness of the commission shall not at any time exceed the aggregate 
5.33 	sum of $15,000,000.
6.1 	(4) To provide partnerships with federal and state governments and to match federal and 
6.2 	local funds, when available.
6.3 	(5) To sue and be sued.
6.4 	(6) To contract and be contracted with in any matter connected with any purpose or 
6.5 	activity within the powers of such corporations as herein specified; provided, that no officer 
6.6 	or member of such corporation shall be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in any 
6.7 	contract in which such corporation is interested.
6.8 	(7) To employ any and all professional and nonprofessional services and all agents, 
6.9 	employees, workers, and servants necessary and proper for the purposes and activities of 
6.10 	such corporation as authorized or contemplated herein and to pay for the same out of any 
6.11 	portion of the income of the corporation available for such purposes or activities. The officers 
6.12 	and members of such corporation shall not receive any compensation therefrom, but may 
6.13 	receive their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance 
6.14 	of their duties; provided however, that whenever the duties of any member of the commission 
6.15 	require full time and attention the commission may compensate the member therefor at such 
6.16 	rates as it may determine.
6.17 	(8) To borrow money and issue bonds for the purposes and in the manner and within 
6.18 	the limitations herein specified, and to pledge any and all property and income of such 
6.19 	corporation acquired or received as herein provided to secure the payment of such bonds, 
6.20 	subject to the provisions and limitations herein prescribed, and to redeem any such bonds 
6.21 	if so provided therein or in the mortgage or trust deed accompanying the same.
6.22 	(9) To use for the following purposes any available money received by such corporation 
6.23 	from any source as herein provided in excess of those required for the payment of the cost 
6.24 	of such armory and for the payment of any bonds issued by the corporation and interest 
6.25 	thereon according to the terms of such bonds or of any mortgage or trust deed accompanying 
6.26 	the same:
6.27 	(a) to pay the necessary incidental expenses of carrying on the business and activities 
6.28 	of the corporation as herein authorized;
6.29 	(b) to pay the cost of operating, maintaining, repairing, and improving such new armories;
6.30 	(c) if any further excess money remains, to purchase upon the open market at or above 
6.31 	or below the face or par value thereof any bonds issued by the corporation as herein 
6.32 	authorized, provided that any bonds so purchased shall thereupon be canceled.
6.33 	(10) To adopt and use a corporate seal.
7.1 	(11) To adopt all needful bylaws and rules for the conduct of business and affairs of 
7.2 	such corporation and for the management and use of all armories while under the ownership 
7.3 	and control of such corporation as herein provided, not inconsistent with the use of such 
7.4 	armory for armory or military purposes.
7.5 	(12) Such corporation shall issue no stock.
7.6 	(13) No officer or member of such corporation shall have any personal share or interest 
7.7 	in any funds or property of the corporation or be subject to any personal liability by reason 
7.8 	of any liability of the corporation.
7.9 	(14) The Minnesota State Armory Building Commission created under section 193.142
7.10 	shall keep all money and credits received by it as a single fund, to be designated as the 
7.11 	"Minnesota State Armory Building Commission fund," with separate accounts for each 
7.12 	armory; and the commission may make transfers of money from funds appertaining to any 
7.13 	armory under its control for use for any other such armory; provided such transfers shall 
7.14 	be made only from money on hand, from time to time, in excess of the amounts required 
7.15 	to meet payments of interest or principal on bonds or other obligations appertaining to the 
7.16 	armory to which such funds pertain and only when necessary to pay expenses of construction, 
7.17 	operation, maintenance, and debt service, and other obligations reasonable and necessary,
7.18 	of such other armory; provided further, no such transfer of any money paid for the support 
7.19 	of any armory by the municipality in which such armory is situated shall be made by the 
7.20 	commission.
7.21 	(15) The corporation created under section 193.142 may designate one or more state or 
7.22 	national banks as depositories of its funds, and may provide, upon such conditions as the 
7.23 	corporation may determine, that the treasurer of the corporation shall be exempt from 
7.24 	personal liability for loss of funds deposited in any such depository due to the insolvency 
7.25 	or other acts or omissions of such depository.
7.26 	(16) The governor is empowered to apply for grants of money, equipment, and materials 
7.27 	which may be made available to the states by the federal government for leasing, building, 
7.28 	and equipping armories for the use of the military forces of the state which are reserve 
7.29 	components of the armed forces of the United States, whenever the governor is satisfied 
7.30 	that the conditions under which such grants are offered by the federal government, are for 
7.31 	the best interests of the state and are not inconsistent with the laws of the state relating to 
7.32 	armories, and to accept such grants in the name of the state. The Minnesota State Armory 
7.33 	Building Commission is designated as the agency of the state to receive such grants and to 
8.1 	use them for armory purposes as prescribed in this chapter, and by federal laws, and 
8.2 	regulations not inconsistent therewith.

8.3 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.4 		Subdivision 1.Armory board. The adjutant general may delegate authority for the
8.5 	control, operation, and use of each armory building and grounds occupied by any of the 
8.6 	military forces of the state shall be vested in to an armory board consisting of officers, 
8.7 	warrant officers, or enlisted personnel representing the organization or organizations 
8.8 	quartered therein, as hereinafter provided, except that the commission-owned armories 
8.9 	which have been or may be constructed or acquired and operated under the provisions of 
8.10 	sections 193.139 to 193.149, and acts supplementary thereto shall be controlled and operated 
8.11 	as provided therein.

8.12 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.29, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
8.13 		Subd. 4.Rentals; proceeds. The armory board may rent an armory to entities or 
8.14 	individuals under terms and conditions the board determines as determined by the adjutant 
8.15 	general, but rentals may not conflict with the use of the armory for military purposes. The 
8.16 	proceeds of rentals and all other income accruing to each armory constitutes the armory 
8.17 	fund and must be applied by the armory board of each armory, as the adjutant general shall 
8.18 	direct, for its maintenance, extension, improvement, and equipment, but all armory funds 
8.19 	and all allowances from the state accruing to commission-owned armories must be paid to 
8.20 	the commission.

8.21 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
8.22 		Subd. 2.May sell and convey property in certain cases. In any case when the adjutant 
8.23 	general finds it advantageous for military training, the adjutant general may sell and convey 
8.24 	property to the municipality or county in which the property is located at a price to be 
8.25 	determined by an appraiser to be selected by the adjutant general. The money received must 
8.26 	be credited to the general fund and is appropriated to the adjutant general to be used: (1) as 
8.27 	a contribution for the construction or acquisition of an armory, armories, or armory facilities 
8.28 	to replace the one sold; or (2) for the maintenance, operation, repair, rehabilitation, or 
8.29 	improvement of existing armory facilities. The money may also be transferred to the 
8.30 	Minnesota State Armory Commission: (1) for the replacement of an armory, armories, or 
8.31 	armory facilities constructed or acquired by the commission; or (2) for the maintenance, 
8.32 	operation, repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of facilities owned by the commission. If 
8.33 	the money received is not expended for the purposes stated in this subdivision within ten 
9.1 	years after the old armory has been sold, the appropriation to the adjutant general as provided 
9.2 	in this subdivision lapses. In the event that both the municipality and the county desire to 
9.3 	purchase the armory, the municipality must be given first priority to purchase the armory.
9.4 	In addition to money, the adjutant general may consider local government contributions to 
9.5 	include the donation of land, provision of utilities to provide for a new armory, or other 
9.6 	expenditures by the municipality or county.
9.7 	If the municipality or county does not purchase the property after a reasonable 
9.8 	opportunity, the adjutant general may sell and convey it to any person after a public sale of 
9.9 	the property by first advertising for bids or proposals for three consecutive weeks in a 
9.10 	newspaper of general circulation in the area that the property is located and accepting the 
9.11 	proposal most favorable to the department. The adjutant general may reject all proposals. 
9.12 	The proceeds of the sale must be credited as provided in this subdivision. The adjutant 
9.13 	general may lease any armory remaining unsold to the municipality for public purposes.

9.14 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
9.15 	read:
9.16 		Subd. 2a.May sell and convey property in certain cases to limited resource 
9.17 	municipalities. The adjutant general may sell and convey property to a municipality at a 
9.18 	price to be determined by the adjutant general with the condition that the property remain 
9.19 	in public use by the municipality for no less than 25 years, if the adjutant general:
9.20 	(1) finds it advantageous for military training;
9.21 	(2) intends to sell and convey property located in a municipality; and
9.22 	(3) determines that the municipality in which the property is located lacks sufficient 
9.23 	property tax base or other resources to purchase the property at the appraised value.

9.24 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
9.25 	read:
9.26 		Subd. 2b.Exchange of property. The adjutant general with the approval of the Land 
9.27 	Exchange Board may exchange any property for any publicly or privately held property 
9.28 	without regard for value when the adjutant general finds it advantageous for military training, 
9.29 	operations, or reduction of management costs.

10.1 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.2 		Subd. 3.Disposition of unsuitable armory sites and buildings. The adjutant general 
10.3 	with the approval of the governor, may sell and convey on behalf of the state any state 
10.4 	armory sites and buildings which in the judgment of the adjutant general are unsuitable for 
10.5 	military purposes or which have been condemned by proper authority as unsafe. Money 
10.6 	received from the sale of such armories shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to 
10.7 	the general fund maintenance appropriation of the Department of Military Affairs or the 
10.8 	Minnesota State Armory Building Commission as determined by the adjutant general.

10.9 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 193.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
10.10 	read:
10.11 		Subd. 4.Bond financed property. Notwithstanding a provision to the contrary in this 
10.12 	section, all conveyances, sales, or exchanges under this section of state bond financed 
10.13 	property, as defined in section 16A.695, subdivision 1, are subject to section 16A.695, 
10.14 	subdivision 3.

10.15 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.63, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.16 		Subdivision 1.Issuance without charge. A certified copy of a birth, death, marriage, 
10.17 	divorce, dissolution of marriage record, or certified copy of veteran's discharge recorded 
10.18 	pursuant to section 386.20, shall be issued promptly by the officer charged with the keeping 
10.19 	of the records upon the request of, and without any charge to, any veteran, the surviving 
10.20 	spouse or next of kin of the veteran, a county veteran service officer appointed pursuant to 
10.21 	section 197.60, or a service officers officer of any veterans organization chartered by the 
10.22 	Congress of the United States, or the Department of Veterans Affairs, for use in the 
10.23 	presentation of claims to the United States Veterans Administration or in connection with 
10.24 	any veterans organization or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The word "veteran" as 
10.25 	used in this section means any man or woman who is a veteran as defined in section 197.447, 
10.26 	and who is a citizen of the United States or resident alien.

10.27 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 198.005, is amended to read:
10.28 	198.005 ADMINISTRATORS.
10.29 	The commissioner shall appoint an administrator for each of the veterans homes. The 
10.30 	administrators act as the administrative head for their respective veterans homes. The 
10.31 	administrators shall have a current Minnesota nursing home administrator's license and shall 
10.32 	serve in the unclassified service. The salaries of the administrators are not subject to section 
11.1 	43A.17, subdivision 1. The administrators serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and 
11.2 	report directly to the commissioner.

11.3 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 198.006, is amended to read:
11.4 	198.006 SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS.
11.5 	(a) The commissioner must work with federal, state, local, and private agencies to develop 
11.6 	alternative institutional and noninstitutional care programs for veterans to supplement the 
11.7 	mission of the homes. Veterans shall be afforded the least restrictive, most appropriate level 
11.8 	of care available.
11.9 	(b) The commissioner may work with federal, state, local, and private entities to make 
11.10 	available appropriate dental services for veterans homes residents. The commissioner may 
11.11 	engage with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to support the dental benefits 
11.12 	program authorized under this paragraph.
11.13 	(c) The commissioner may provide adult day care center programs that offer therapeutic 
11.14 	and rehabilitation health care services to veterans and support services for caregivers of 
11.15 	veterans. If the commissioner provides adult day care center programs, the commissioner 
11.16 	may collect fees from program participants. The commissioner is authorized to apply for 
11.17 	and accept federal funding for purposes of this paragraph.
11.18 	(d) The commissioner may operate a central pharmacy to provide any veterans home 
11.19 	resident with pharmaceuticals prescribed as part of the resident's care plan. Any pharmacy 
11.20 	established under this paragraph must comply with state and federal law, including any 
11.21 	applicable rules.  The commissioner may engage with the United States Department of 
11.22 	Veterans Affairs to support the central pharmacy authorized under this paragraph.

11.23 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 375.34, is amended to read:
11.24 	375.34 MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY, APPROPRIATION FOR 
11.25 	OBSERVANCE.
11.26 	The county board of each county may appropriate funds from the revenue fund of the 
11.27 	county not more than $3,500 annually to aid in the observance of Memorial Day in 
11.28 	commemoration of the noble and valiant deeds of the nation's soldier dead and Veterans 
11.29 	Day.

12.1 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 375.35, is amended to read:
12.2 	375.35 $300 APPROPRIATIONS TO MILITARY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 
12.3 	FOR MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY.
12.4 	A county board may also appropriate funds annually not more than $300 to each post 
12.5 	of a recognized military service persons' organization or society, holding charter from 
12.6 	Congress or incorporated in this state, organized and existing in the county, to defray the 
12.7 	expenses of Memorial Day and Veterans Day exercises.

12.8 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.396, is amended to read:
12.9 	609.396 UNAUTHORIZED PRESENCE AT CAMP RIPLEY ON MILITARY 
12.10 	INSTALLATIONS.
12.11 		Subdivision 1.Misdemeanor. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if the person 
12.12 	intentionally and without the authorization of the adjutant general or a duly appointed 
12.13 	commander in accordance with federal regulations enters or is present on the Camp Ripley 
12.14 	Military Reservation or in any campground, any military reservation, any armory, any 
12.15 	installation, or any facility owned or controlled by the state or federal government for 
12.16 	military purposes.
12.17 		Subd. 2.Felony. A person is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to not more than 
12.18 	five years imprisonment or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both, if:
12.19 	(1) the person intentionally enters or is present in an area at the Camp Ripley Military 
12.20 	Reservation that is posted by order of the adjutant general as restricted for weapon firing 
12.21 	or other hazardous military activity; and
12.22 	(2) the person knows that doing so creates a risk of death, bodily harm, or serious property 
12.23 	damage.

12.24 	Sec. 22. Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23, as amended by Laws 2011, First 
12.25 	Special Session chapter 12, section 47, is amended to read:
12.26 	Sec. 23. PLANNING NEW VETERANS CEMETERIES.
 12.27 	(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall determine a suitable site and plan for 
12.28 	threefour new state veterans cemeteries, one to be located in northeastern Minnesota, one 
12.29 	to be located in northwestern Minnesota, one to be located in southeastern Minnesota, and 
12.30 	one to be located in southwestern Minnesota. In determining the site for a cemetery, the 
12.31 	commissioner shall consider available public land options and shall seek proposals for 
13.1 	donated land from interested counties, local communities, civic organizations, veterans 
13.2 	service organizations, and individuals.
13.3 	(b) For determining the veterans cemetery site in southeastern Minnesota, the 
13.4 	commissioner shall give priority consideration to land owned and proposed for donation 
13.5 	by the county of Fillmore.
13.6 	(c) The commissioner's planning process for a state veterans cemetery must include, at 
13.7 	a minimum, the following actions:
13.8 	(1) determining the need for the cemetery;
13.9 	(2) investigating the availability of suitable land for the cemetery;
13.10 	(3) assessment of impacts of the cemetery;
13.11 	(4) encouragement of support from veteran service organizations and local governments; 
13.12 	and
13.13 	(5) preparation and submission of a preapplication for a grant from the United States 
13.14 	Department of Veterans Affairs for commitment of funding for establishing the cemetery.
13.15 	(d) By January 15, 2011, the commissioner shall report to the chair and ranking minority 
13.16 	member of the house of representatives and senate committees having responsibility for 
13.17 	veterans affairs with a report of the commissioner's progress in implementing this section.

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

13.19 	Sec. 23. Laws 2023, chapter 38, article 1, section 3, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

13.20	Subd. 2.Veterans Programs and Services
 		56,523,000
		31,214,000
	
13.21 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
13.22 	purpose are specified in the following 
13.23 	subdivisions. The base is $30,258,000 in fiscal 
13.24 	year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
13.25 	(a) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $4,282,000 
13.26 	each year is for the operation of the state's 
13.27 	veterans cemeteries. The base for this 
13.28 	appropriation is $3,782,000 in fiscal year 2026 
13.29 	and each fiscal year thereafter.
13.30 	(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
13.31 	$500,000 each year is for grants to the 
14.1 	following congressionally chartered veterans 
14.2 	service organizations as designated by the 
14.3 	commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, 
14.4 	Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 
14.5 	American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
14.6 	Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and 
14.7 	Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding 
14.8 	must be allocated in direct proportion to the 
14.9 	funding currently being provided by the 
14.10 	commissioner to these organizations.
14.11 	(c) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for 
14.12 	compensation for honor guards at the funerals 
14.13 	of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.14 	197.231.
14.15 	(d) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is 
14.16 	for the costs of administering the Minnesota 
14.17 	GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits, 
14.18 	on-the-job training, and apprenticeship 
14.19 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.20 	197.791.
14.21 	(e) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year 
14.22 	is for administering the Gold Star Program for 
14.23 	surviving family members of deceased 
14.24 	veterans.
14.25 	(f) County Veterans Service Office.
14.26 	$1,550,000 each year is for funding the 
14.27 	County Veterans Service Office grant program 
14.28 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
14.29 	(g) Camp Bliss. $150,000 each year is for a 
14.30 	grant to Camp Bliss as provided under article 
14.31 	2, section 9.
14.32 	(h) Veterans on the Lake. $50,000 each year 
14.33 	is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for 
14.34 	expenses related to retreats for veterans, 
15.1 	including therapy, transportation, and activities 
15.2 	customized for veterans. These are onetime 
15.3 	appropriations.
15.4 	(i) Veteran Resilience Project. $300,000 each 
15.5 	year is for a grant to the veteran resilience 
15.6 	project. Grant funds must be used to make eye 
15.7 	movement desensitization and reprocessing 
15.8 	therapy available to veterans, veterans' 
15.9 	spouses, current military service members, 
15.10 	and current military service members' spouses 
15.11 	who are suffering from posttraumatic stress 
15.12 	disorder and trauma. The base for this 
15.13 	appropriation is $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 
15.14 	and each fiscal year thereafter.
15.15 	The veteran resilience project must report to 
15.16 	the commissioner of veterans affairs and the 
15.17 	chairs and ranking minority members of the 
15.18 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
15.19 	veterans affairs policy and finance by January 
15.20 	15 of each year on the program. The report 
15.21 	must include an overview of the program's 
15.22 	budget, a detailed explanation of program 
15.23 	expenditures, the number of veterans and 
15.24 	service members served by the program, and 
15.25 	a list and explanation of the services provided 
15.26 	to program participants.
15.27 	(j) CORE Program. $1,225,000 each year is 
15.28 	for the Counseling and Case Management 
15.29 	Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) 
15.30 	program.
15.31 	(k) LinkVet Call Center. $369,000 each year 
15.32 	is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call 
15.33 	Center.
16.1 	(l) Recently Separated Veterans Program.
16.2 	$350,000 each year is for operation of the 
16.3 	recently separated veterans program. The 
16.4 	commissioner of veterans affairs may use 
16.5 	Department of Defense and other veteran data 
16.6 	that were provided with an appropriate 
16.7 	disclosure to assist with connecting veterans 
16.8 	to resources and new programming. The 
16.9 	commissioner may use money for personnel, 
16.10 	research, marketing, technology solutions, and 
16.11 	professional or technical contracts. The base 
16.12 	for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal year 
16.13 	2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
16.14 	(m) Homeless Veterans and SOAR 
16.15 	Program. $1,035,000 each year is to operate 
16.16 	the homeless veteran registry and homeless 
16.17 	programs and to assist veterans, former service 
16.18 	members, and veterans' and former service 
16.19 	members' dependents with obtaining federal 
16.20 	benefits through the Social Security 
16.21 	Administration. The commissioner of veterans 
16.22 	affairs may use money for personnel, training, 
16.23 	research, marketing, and professional or 
16.24 	technical contracts. The base for this 
16.25 	appropriation is $1,344,000 in fiscal year 2026 
16.26 	and each fiscal year thereafter.
16.27 	(n) Minnesota Assistance Council for 
16.28 	Veterans. $7,865,000 the first year and 
16.29 	$1,075,000 the second year are for grants to 
16.30 	the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans 
16.31 	to provide assistance throughout Minnesota 
16.32 	to veterans and veterans' families who are 
16.33 	homeless or in danger of homelessness, 
16.34 	including assistance with:
16.35 	(1) supportive services to maintain housing;
17.1 	(2) employment;
17.2 	(3) legal issues;
17.3 	(4) housing and housing-related costs;
17.4 	(5) transportation;
17.5 	(6) the acquisition and creation of permanent 
17.6 	supportive housing; and
17.7 	(7) property management of permanent 
17.8 	supportive housing.
17.9 	Of these amounts, $6,350,000 the first year is 
17.10 	for the establishment of permanent supportive 
17.11 	housing options for homeless veterans and 
17.12 	former service members. This is a onetime 
17.13 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
17.14 	2026. $440,000 the first year is for the direct 
17.15 	veteran assistance grant. This is a onetime 
17.16 	appropriation. Any unencumbered balance 
17.17 	remaining in this subdivision in the first year 
17.18 	for grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council 
17.19 	for Veterans does not cancel and is available 
17.20 	for the second year. Assistance authorized 
17.21 	under this paragraph must be provided only 
17.22 	to a veteran who has resided in Minnesota for 
17.23 	30 days prior to the veteran's application for 
17.24 	assistance and according to other guidelines 
17.25 	established by the commissioner. To avoid 
17.26 	duplication of services, the commissioner must 
17.27 	ensure that this assistance is coordinated with 
17.28 	all other available programs for veterans.
17.29 	(o) Veterans Bonus Program. $15,000,000 
17.30 	the first year is for service bonuses to 
17.31 	Post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families 
17.32 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79. This 
17.33 	is a onetime appropriation and is available 
17.34 	until June 30, 2024.
18.1 	(p) Metro Meals on Wheels. $540,000 each 
18.2 	year is for a grant to Metro Meals on Wheels 
18.3 	to provide: (1) home-delivered meals to 
18.4 	veterans; and (2) technical, enrollment, 
18.5 	outreach, and volunteer recruitment assistance 
18.6 	to member programs. Metro Meals on Wheels 
18.7 	must report to the commissioner of veterans 
18.8 	affairs and the chairs and ranking minority 
18.9 	members of the legislative committees with 
18.10 	jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and 
18.11 	finance by September 1 each year with a 
18.12 	detailed explanation of how the grant money 
18.13 	was used and the number of veterans and 
18.14 	service members served by the program. This 
18.15 	is a onetime appropriation. Any unencumbered 
18.16 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
18.17 	year and is available for the second year.
18.18 	(q) Minnesota Military and Veterans 
18.19 	Museum. $225,000 the second year is for a 
18.20 	grant to the Minnesota Military and Veterans 
18.21 	Museum for museum staff to provide direct 
18.22 	services to veterans and their families. The 
18.23 	base for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal 
18.24 	year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
18.25 	(r) Every Third Saturday. $100,000 each 
18.26 	year is for a grant to Every Third Saturday to 
18.27 	provide veterans with emergency assistance 
18.28 	and internships. Every Third Saturday must 
18.29 	report to the commissioner of veterans affairs 
18.30 	and the chairs and ranking minority members 
18.31 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
18.32 	over veterans affairs policy and finance no 
18.33 	later than September 1, 2024, and by 
18.34 	September 1 of each subsequent year. Each 
18.35 	report must include, at a minimum, a detailed 
19.1 	explanation of how the grant money was used 
19.2 	and the number of veterans served by the 
19.3 	program. These are onetime appropriations.
19.4 	(s) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
19.5 	$4,311,000 the first year and $1,311,000 the 
19.6 	second year are for an initiative to prevent and 
19.7 	end veteran homelessness.
19.8 	(t) Veterans Campground Wastewater 
19.9 	System Upgrades. $744,000 the first year is 
19.10 	for one or more grants to the Veterans 
19.11 	Campground on Big Marine Lake, a 501(c)(3) 
19.12 	nonprofit organization, to design, engineer, 
19.13 	permit, and construct wastewater systems on 
19.14 	campground property to increase the capacity 
19.15 	of wastewater systems. This is a onetime 
19.16 	appropriation.

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

19.18 	Sec. 24. Laws 2023, chapter 38, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

19.19	Subd. 3.Veterans Health Care
 		90,025,000
		100,797,000
	
19.20 	(a) The base for this appropriation in fiscal 
19.21 	year 2026 is $93,387,000 and $94,435,000 in 
19.22 	fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
19.23 	(b) $88,885,000 the first year and $99,847,000 
19.24 	the second year may be transferred to a 
19.25 	veterans homes special revenue account in the 
19.26 	special revenue fund in the same manner as 
19.27 	other receipts are deposited according to 
19.28 	Minnesota Statutes, section 198.34, and are 
19.29 	appropriated to the commissioner of veterans 
19.30 	affairs for the operation of veterans homes 
19.31 	facilities and programs. If the amount available 
19.32 	in fiscal year 2024 is insufficient, the amount 
19.33 	appropriated in fiscal year 2025 is available 
20.1 	in fiscal year 2024. The base for this transfer 
20.2 	is $92,437,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
20.3 	$93,485,000 in fiscal year 2027.
20.4 	(c) The department shall seek opportunities to 
20.5 	maximize federal reimbursements of 
20.6 	Medicare-eligible expenses and provide annual 
20.7 	reports to the commissioner of management 
20.8 	and budget on the federal Medicare 
20.9 	reimbursements that are received. Contingent 
20.10 	upon future federal Medicare receipts, 
20.11 	reductions to the veterans homes' general fund 
20.12 	appropriation may be made.
20.13 	(d) $400,000 each year is for the department 
20.14 	to staff Veteran Community Health Navigators 
20.15 	in community-based hospitals.
20.16 	(e) $190,000 the first year is for the working 
20.17 	group established under article 2, section 8.