HF 2414

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/14/2017 09:07am

A bill for an act
relating to the military; establishing a service member and veteran service center
pilot grant program; authorizing use of Support Our Troops account funds;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [197.792] SERVICE MEMBER AND VETERAN SERVICE CENTER
PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program. new text end

new text begin A service member and veteran service center pilot grant
program is established to be administered by the commissioner of veterans affairs. The
program consists of grant awards to nonprofits that serve service members, veterans, and
their families to enable a nonprofit service member and veteran service center to enhance
the effectiveness of its services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a grant under subdivision 4, a service member
and veteran service center must, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide space where service members, veterans, and their families are able to gather;
new text end

new text begin (2) assist service members, veterans, and their families with finding local, state, and
federal resources;
new text end

new text begin (3) assist service members, veterans, and their families in connecting with services,
resources, and advocacy in the areas of law, education, employment, housing, health, and
wellness;
new text end

new text begin (4) utilize public and private partnerships to share resources and increase innovation to
effectively assist service members, veterans, and their families; and
new text end

new text begin (5) be a nonprofit corporation as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any grant awarded under this section to a service member and veterans service center
requires a 50 percent match from nonstate sources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant process. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall determine the process for awarding
grants. A grant may be used only for the purpose of enhancing the operations of or renovating
the facility of a service member and veteran service center.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must give preference to service member and veterans service
centers that:
new text end

new text begin (1) demonstrate meaningful collaboration with other organizations that enhance the
services offered by the service center; and
new text end

new text begin (2) are located outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision
2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant amount. new text end

new text begin A service member and veteran service center is eligible to
receive a onetime grant of $....... under this section.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; SERVICE MEMBER AND VETERAN SERVICE
CENTER PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin In fiscal year 2018, the commissioner of veterans affairs shall use $500,000 from the
Support Our Troops account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section
190.19, for the service member and veteran service center pilot grant program under section
1. The grant money is available until expended.
new text end