HF 3164

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/22/2025 11:19 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; establishing a veteran relocation bonus program
for veterans who were recently terminated from federal employment; requiring
reports; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin VETERAN RELOCATION BONUS PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
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new text begin (c) "Eligible veteran" means a person who:
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new text begin (1) is a veteran, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.447;
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new text begin (2) had their employment with the federal government involuntarily terminated on or
after January 20, 2025;
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new text begin (3) was not a resident of Minnesota on January 20, 2025, but establishes residency in
Minnesota before January 1, 2027; and
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new text begin (4) begins working at least 20 hours a week in a job that is principally located in
Minnesota before January 1, 2027.
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new text begin (d) "Program" means the veteran relocation bonus program created under this section.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a veteran relocation bonus
program to pay relocation bonuses to eligible veterans to grow Minnesota's workforce.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grants to eligible veterans. new text end

new text begin (a) To receive a relocation bonus, an eligible
veteran must apply using a form designed by the commissioner.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must award grants of $10,000 to eligible veterans on a rolling
basis.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report to the legislature. new text end

new text begin By March 1, 2027, the commissioner must submit
a report on the veteran relocation bonus program to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over workforce
development and veterans and as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; VETERAN RELOCATION BONUS PROGRAM.
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new text begin $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the workforce development fund to
the commissioner of employment and economic development for the veteran relocation
bonus program. Of this appropriation, $50,000 is for outreach and promotion of the program
to potentially eligible veterans. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.
new text end