SF 2358

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 07/18/2019 02:49pm

A bill for an act
relating to veterans and military affairs; appropriating money; requiring a report;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 196.05, subdivision 1; Laws 2016,
chapter 189, article 13, section 64; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 10.

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

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund,
or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.
The figures "2020" and "2021" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, or June 30, 2021, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2020. "The second year" is fiscal year 2021. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
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 2020 new text end		new text begin 2021 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MILITARY AFFAIRS new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 22,989,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 22,939,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Maintenance of Training Facilities new text end

new text begin 9,701,000 new text end

new text begin 9,701,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin General Support new text end

new text begin 3,124,000 new text end

new text begin 3,124,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Enlistment Incentives new text end

new text begin 10,114,000 new text end

new text begin 10,114,000 new text end

new text begin The appropriations in this subdivision are
available until June 30, 2023, except that any
unspent amounts allocated to a program
otherwise supported by this appropriation are
canceled to the general fund upon receipt of
federal funds in the same amount to support
administration of that program.
new text end

new text begin If appropriations for either year of the
biennium are insufficient, the appropriation
from the other year is available.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Transfer new text end

new text begin 50,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2020 is for transfer to
the Support Our Troops account for grants to
one or more eligible foundations for the
purpose of making grants to eligible
individuals as specified under Minnesota
Statutes, section 190.19, subdivision 2,
paragraph (a), clause (2). The amount
transferred does not cancel and is available
until expended.
new text end

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

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 75,723,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 75,423,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Veterans Programs and Services new text end

new text begin 17,382,000 new text end

new text begin 17,132,000 new text end

new text begin new text begin (a) CORE Program. new text end $500,000 each year is
for the Counseling and Case Management
Outreach Referral and Education (CORE)
program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Veterans Service Organizations. new text end new text begin
$353,000 each year is for grants to the
following congressionally chartered veterans
service organizations as designated by the
commissioner: Disabled American Veterans,
Military Order of the Purple Heart, the
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and
Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding
must be allocated in direct proportion to the
funding currently being provided by the
commissioner to these organizations.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans. $750,000 each year is for a grant
to the Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans to provide assistance throughout
Minnesota to veterans and their families who
are homeless or in danger of homelessness,
including assistance with the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) utilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) employment; and
new text end

new text begin (3) legal issues.
new text end

new text begin The assistance authorized under this paragraph
must be made only to veterans who have
resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to
application for assistance and according to
other guidelines established by the
commissioner. In order to avoid duplication
of services, the commissioner must ensure that
this assistance is coordinated with all other
available programs for veterans.
new text end

new text begin (d) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $1,272,000
each year is for the state's veterans cemeteries.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (e) Honor Guards. new text end $200,000 each year is for
compensation for honor guards at the funerals
of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.231.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (f) Minnesota GI Bill. new text end $200,000 each year is
for the costs of administering the Minnesota
GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits,
on-the-job training, and apprenticeship
program under Minnesota Statutes, section
197.791.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (g) Gold Star Program. new text end $100,000 each year
is for administering the Gold Star Program for
surviving family members of deceased
veterans.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (h) County Veterans Service Office. new text end
$1,100,000 each year is for funding the
County Veterans Service Office grant program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (i) Armed Forces Service Center. new text end $100,000
in the first year is for a onetime grant to the
Armed Forces Service Center at the
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for construction
costs related to the remodeling of the Armed
Forces Service Center and for refurbishing the
center's furniture and beds used by service
members between connecting flights and while
awaiting ground transportation when traveling
individually or by unit to and from military
duty assignments.
new text end

new text begin As a condition of issuing this grant, the
commissioner must ensure that the center
provides matching funding for this purpose.
The commissioner must also ensure that no
part of this grant may be spent for salary or
related benefits for any person or for the
operations of the center.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (j) Medal of Honor Memorial. new text end $150,000 in
the second year is for deposit in the Medal of
Honor Memorial account established under
Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 13, section
64, subdivision 2. The commissioner shall use
the amount transferred under this section to
construct the Medal of Honor Commemorative
Memorial. This transfer is not available until
the commissioner of management and budget
determines that an equal amount is committed
from other nonstate sources. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Veterans Health Care new text end

new text begin 58,291,000 new text end

new text begin 58,291,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Transfers. These appropriations may be
transferred to a veterans homes special
revenue account in the special revenue fund
in the same manner as other receipts are
deposited according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 198.34, and are appropriated to the
commissioner of veterans affairs for the
operation of veterans homes facilities and
programs.
new text end

new text begin (b) Report. No later than January 15, 2020,
the commissioner must submit a report to the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
veterans affairs and state government finance
on reserve amounts maintained in the veterans
homes special revenue account. The report
must detail current and historical amounts
maintained as a reserve, and uses of those
amounts. The report must also include data on
the utilization of existing veterans homes,
including current and historical bed capacity
and usage, staffing levels and staff vacancy
rates, and staff-to-resident ratios.
new text end

new text begin new text begin (c) Maximize Federal Reimbursements. new text end The
department shall seek opportunities to
maximize federal reimbursements of
Medicare-eligible expenses and provide annual
reports to the commissioner of management
and budget on the federal Medicare
reimbursements received. Contingent upon
future federal Medicare receipts, reductions
to the homes' general fund appropriation may
be made.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Transfer new text end

new text begin 50,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2020 is for transfer to
the Support Our Troops account for providing
services and programs for veterans and their
families as specified in Minnesota Statutes,
section 190.19, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a),
clause (3), and for the agency's uncompensated
burial costs for eligible dependents to whom
the commissioner grants a no-fee or
reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran
cemeteries pursuant to Minnesota Statutes,
section 197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b),
as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section
190.19, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause
(7). The amount transferred does not cancel
and is available until expended.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin CANCELLATION.
new text end

new text begin All unspent funds, estimated to be $350,000, to provide grants to the veterans Journey
Home program in fiscal year 2019 under new text end new text begin Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 4, article
1, section 38, subdivision 2, are canceled to the general fund by June 29, 2019.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

POLICY

Section 1.

new text begin [10.576] POW AND MIA RECOGNITION DAY.
new text end

new text begin The third Friday in September of each year is designated as Prisoners of War (POW)
and Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day to honor and recognize the courage and
sacrifices of individuals from Minnesota who have been prisoners of war or who are missing
in action. Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [10.578] VETERANS SUICIDE AWARENESS DAY.
new text end

new text begin The first Saturday of every October is designated Veterans Suicide Awareness Day.
Each year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [10.597] AMERICAN ALLIES DAY.
new text end

new text begin (a) June 30 of each year is designated American Allies Day for the purpose of honoring
foreign-born persons who fought in conflicts around the world on behalf of and alongside
the United States armed forces.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each year the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.
new text end

new text begin (c) Schools are encouraged to offer instruction on the role of America's allies during its
military conflicts, including but not limited to sharing the stories of those who fought for
freedom and democracy against tyranny and despotism with special emphasis on those who
fought on behalf of American allies or alongside American armed forces and later emigrated
to Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 196.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General duties.

The commissioner shall:

(1) act as the agent of a resident of the state having a claim against the United States for
benefits arising out of or by reason of service in the armed forces and prosecute the claim
without charge;

(2) act as custodian of veterans' bonus records;

(3) administer the laws relating to the providing of bronze flag holders at veterans' graves
for memorial purposes;

(4) administer the laws relating to recreational or rest camps for veterans so far as
applicable to state agencies;

(5) administer the state soldiers' assistance fund and veterans' relief fund and other funds
appropriated for the payment of bonuses or other benefits to veterans or for the rehabilitation
of veterans;

(6) cooperate with national, state, county, municipal, and private social agencies in
securing to veterans and their dependents the benefits provided by national, state, and county
laws, municipal ordinances, or public and private social agencies;

(7) provide necessary assistance where other adequate aid is not available to the dependent
family of a veteran while the veteran is hospitalized and after the veteran is released for as
long a period as is necessary as determined by the commissioner;

(8) cooperate with United States governmental agencies providing compensation,
pensions, insurance, or other benefits provided by federal law, by supplementing the benefits
prescribed therein, when conditions in an individual case make it necessary;

(9) assist dependent family members of military personnel who are called from reserve
status to extended federal active duty during a time of war or national emergency through
the state soldiers' assistance fund provided by section 197.03;

(10) exercise other powers as deleted text begin may be deleted text end authorized and necessary to carry out deleted text begin the provisions
of deleted text end this chapter and deleted text begin chapter deleted text end new text begin chapters new text end 197 deleted text begin , consistent with that chapter deleted text end new text begin and 198 new text end ;

(11) provide information, referral, and counseling services to those veterans who may
have suffered adverse health conditions as a result of possible exposure to chemical agents;
and

(12) in coordination with the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers,
develop a written disclosure statement for use by private providers of veterans benefits
services as required under section 197.6091. At a minimum, the written disclosure statement
shall include a signature line, contact information for the department, and a statement that
veterans benefits services are offered at no cost by federally chartered veterans service
organizations and by county veterans service officers.

Sec. 5.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 13, section 64, is amended to read:

Sec. 64. MEMORIAL COMMEMORATING RECIPIENTS OF THE MEDAL OF
HONOR.

Subdivision 1.

Medal of Honor Memorial on the State Capitol grounds.

Subject to
approval by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, the commissioner of
administration shall place a memorial on the State Capitol grounds to honor Minnesotans
awarded the Medal of Honor.

Subd. 2.

Gifts and grants.

The commissioner of veterans affairs may solicit gifts, grants,
or donations of any kind from any private or public source to carry out the purposes of this
section. A Medal of Honor Memorial account is created in the special revenue fund. new text begin The
account consists of money transferred by law to the account and any other money donated,
gifted, granted, allotted, or otherwise provided to the account. new text end All gifts, grants, or donations
received by the commissioner shall be deposited in a Medal of Honor Memorial account in
the special revenue fund. Money in the account is new text begin annually new text end appropriated to the commissioner
of administration for predesign, design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the
memorial.

deleted text begin Subd. 3. deleted text end

deleted text begin Restrictions. deleted text end

deleted text begin Money deposited in the Medal of Honor Memorial account is not
available until the commissioner of management and budget has determined an amount
sufficient to complete predesign of the memorial has been committed to the project from
nonstate sources. The commissioner of administration shall not begin construction on this
project until money in the account is sufficient to pay for all costs related to construction
and ongoing maintenance of the memorial.
deleted text end

Sec. 6. new text begin PLAQUE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The state wishes to honor all Minnesota veterans who have
honorably and bravely served in the United States armed forces, both at home and abroad,
during World War I.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plaque authorized. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of administration shall place a memorial
plaque in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to recognize the valiant service of
Minnesota veterans who have honorably and bravely served in the United States armed
forces, both at home and abroad, during World War I. This plaque will replace the current
plaque honoring veterans who served abroad during World War I. The Capitol Area
Architectural and Planning Board shall solicit design submissions from the public. Each
design submission must include a commitment to furnish the plaque at no cost to the state.
The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board shall select a design from those submitted
to use as a basis for final production. The selected design must be approved by the
commissioner of veterans affairs and must be furnished by the person or group who submitted
the design at no cost to the state.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end