SF 2259

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/25/2025 09:34 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to veterans; appropriating money to design and construct a memorial
honoring Native American United States veterans.

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

Section 1. new text begin NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of administration to design and construct a memorial in the Capitol complex to honor all
United States veterans of Native American heritage.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "Capitol complex" means the area of the Capitol mall
bounded by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north, 12th Street West
to the south, John Ireland Boulevard to the west, and Cedar Street North to the east.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of veterans affairs must convene a Native American Veterans
Memorial advisory task force to select the artist, materials, and design for the memorial.
The Native American Veterans Memorial advisory task force is comprised of 13 members,
including one member from each of the state's federally recognized Tribes who are veterans
and two at-large public members. Members of the task force may be compensated and
reimbursed for eligible expenses as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059,
subdivision 3. The task force expires after completion of the selection of a Native American
artist, materials, and design for the memorial. The commissioner of administration must
facilitate a request for proposal for artists for the memorial, from which the advisory task
force must make an artist selection. After an artist is selected, the task force should work
cooperatively with the artist on the selection of materials and design for the memorial.
Alternatively, at the task force's option, the task force may specify materials and design
parameters in the request for proposal from artists. The commissioner of administration
must provide meeting space and administrative support to the advisory task force.
Appointments to the task force must be made by September 1, 2025, and the commissioner
of administration must convene the first meeting of the task force by October 15, 2025. The
task force must elect a chair from among its members at its first meeting.
new text end

new text begin (d) Before construction of the memorial, the selection of the artist, materials, and design
must be approved by the Indian Affairs Council.
new text end

new text begin (e) The memorial must be constructed of materials from or components made in
Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner must contract with a Native American artist to design the memorial.
new text end