HF 1771

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans affairs; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made
in sections 1 to 3.
new text end

		new text begin 2008 new text end		new text begin 2009 new text end		new text begin Total new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 14,553,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 13,618,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 28,171,000 new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end		new text begin 855,000 new text end		new text begin 855,000 new text end		new text begin 1,710,000 new text end
new text begin Total new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 15,408,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 14,473,000 new text end	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 29,881,000 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
agency and for the purposes specified in sections 1 to 3. The appropriations are from
the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated
for each purpose. The figures "2008" and "2009" used in sections 1 to 3 mean that the
appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, or
June 30, 2009, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2008. "The second year" is fiscal
year 2009. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2008 new text end		new text begin 2009 new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin VETERANS AFFAIRS new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 15,408,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 14,473,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2008 new text end	new text begin 2009 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 14,553,000 new text end	new text begin 13,618,000 new text end
new text begin Special Revenue new text end	new text begin 855,000 new text end	new text begin 855,000 new text end

new text begin (a) $2,000,000 each year is for outreach to
veterans.
new text end

new text begin (b) $1,000,000 each year is for state soldier's
assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.05.
new text end

new text begin (c) $1,400,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for the higher education
veterans assistance program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 197.585. This appropriation
must be included in the agency appropriation
base through fiscal year 2011.
new text end

new text begin (d) $500,000 each year is for administration
of veterans programming.
new text end

new text begin (e) $100,000 each year is for information
technology.
new text end

new text begin (f) $75,000 each year is for operations at the
Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little
Falls.
new text end

new text begin (g) $1,900,000 the first year and $1,400,000
the second year are for grants to counties
under the terms of this section. The
commissioner shall issue a request for
proposals for grants to enhance the benefits,
programs, and services provided to veterans.
The request must specify that priority
will be given to proposals that meet the
programmatic goals established by the
commissioner, including proposals that will:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide the most effective outreach to
veterans;
new text end

new text begin (2) reintegrate combat veterans into society;
new text end

new text begin (3) collaborate with other social service
agencies, educational institutions, and other
relevant community resources;
new text end

new text begin (4) reduce homelessness among veterans;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) provide measurable outcomes.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner may provide incentives
to encourage, and may give priority to
proposals that foster, regional collaboration
for service delivery. The grants may be for a
term of up to two years. The commissioner
shall ensure that grants are made throughout
all regions of the state and shall develop a
description of best practices for the use of
these grants. A county may not reduce its
county veterans service officer budget by any
amount received as a grant under this section.
Grants made under this section are in addition
to and not subject to the requirements for
grants made under Minnesota Statutes,
section 197.608. The Minnesota Association
of County Veterans Service Officers may
apply for grants under this section beginning
July 1, 2007. Any balance remaining after
the first year does not cancel and is available
in the second year. This appropriation must
be included in the appropriation base through
fiscal year 2011.
new text end

new text begin (h) $250,000 each year is added to the base
for grants to Disabled American Veterans,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans
of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of
America, and other congressionally chartered
veterans service organizations designated by
the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (i) $855,000 each year is from the account
in the special revenue fund established in
Minnesota Statutes, section 190.19, for (1)
grants to veterans service organizations; and
(2) outreach to underserved veterans. Any
balance in the first year does not cancel and
is available in the second year.
new text end