HF 3249

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to veterans; natural resources; granting lifetime state park entrance
permits to certain veterans of the global war on terror; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 85; 197.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [85.0535] LIFETIME RESIDENT STATE PARK PERMIT; ISSUANCE.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding section 85.055, the commissioner must issue a lifetime resident
state park entrance permit without fee or surcharge to each applicant who is an eligible
veteran, as determined under section 197.791.
new text end

new text begin (b) When using the lifetime permit, the eligible veteran must display the permit on
the windshield of the vehicle being used and must have in possession a state driver's
license or state identification card and proof of eligibility. However, notwithstanding
section 85.053, it is not required that the lifetime permit of an eligible veteran be
permanently affixed to the windshield or otherwise be restricted for use with any particular
vehicle, so long as the permit is used with no more than one vehicle at any given time.
new text end

new text begin (c) Except as explicitly provided in this section, an eligible veteran is not exempted
from any applicable laws or rules governing state parks.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must make broadly and readily available to eligible veterans
all information, forms, and assistance needed for their applications for the lifetime permit
and must tabulate the number of permits issued to eligible veterans in any given year.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime permit issued under this
section to notify the department each year that the permit is used.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [197.791] LIFETIME STATE PARK ENTRANCE PERMIT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Benefit; issuance. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 85
to the contrary, upon proper application, an eligible veteran is entitled without fee to a
lifetime resident state park entrance permit. Issuance of the permit is governed by section
85.0535 by authority given the commissioner of natural resources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Lifetime resident state park entrance permit" means a permit issued under
section 85.0535.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible veteran" means a Minnesota resident who:
new text end

new text begin (1) is serving honorably in the United States armed forces or has been honorably
separated or discharged from the United States armed forces since September 11, 2001;
new text end

new text begin (2) is eligible for the Iraq campaign medal, Afghanistan campaign medal, or global
war on terror expeditionary medal, according to rules established by the United States
Department of Defense;
new text end

new text begin (3) has been ordered to active military service, as defined in section 190.05,
subdivision 5c, for a continuous period of 180 days or more in duration in support of the
global war on terror; and
new text end

new text begin (4) has served continuously or cumulatively within the boundaries of, or airspace
over, the nations of Iraq and Afghanistan for a period of 180 days or more during any time
since September 11, 2001, and a future date to be determined by the legislature or who had
been ordered to do so and had begun the term of service in the declared combat zone, but
whose term of service was curtailed prior to completion for medical or military reasons
beyond the person's control, as indicated by the person's military form DD-214 or other
service record deemed suitable by the commissioner of veterans affairs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Role of commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs must
determine the eligibility of each veteran who requests a determination for the benefit
described in subdivision 1 and shall keep record of the requests and determinations. The
commissioner, at the commissioner's discretion or upon request by a veteran who has
been denied eligibility status, may review any prior eligibility decision and may revise and
update the determination as the commissioner deems necessary for accuracy.
new text end

new text begin (b) At least monthly, the commissioner must convey to the commissioner of natural
resources an updated list of eligible veterans, including the person's name, driver's license
number or state identification number, and any other identifying information that the
commissioner deems necessary for certifying the person's eligibility. For purposes of this
requirement, it shall suffice that the commissioner maintains an updated computerized
file of eligible veterans that is readily available electronically to the commissioner of
natural resources.
new text end

new text begin (c) Data collected under this section is classified as private data on individuals
according to section 13.02, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Requesting eligibility determination. new text end

new text begin (a) Before applying for the lifetime
resident park entrance permit under section 85.0535, a person must request determination
by the commissioner of veterans affairs of the person's eligibility status on a form and in a
manner determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who has been determined by the commissioner of veterans affairs as
being an eligible veteran may apply for a lifetime state park entrance permit in a manner
determined by the commissioner of natural resources.
new text end

new text begin (c) A person who has been determined as being ineligible by the commissioner of
veterans affairs is prohibited from applying for the lifetime permit under section 85.0535.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The following sums are appropriated from the general fund for fiscal year 2007 to
the named state officials to administer sections 1 and 2. These sums are available until
expended.
new text end

new text begin (1) $....... to the commissioner of natural resources; and
new text end

new text begin (2) $....... to the commissioner of veterans affairs.
new text end