1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; authorizing the issuance of state bonds; appropriating money 
1.3 	for the purpose of constructing, furnishing, and equipping a 21-bed special care 
1.4 	unit and additional clinical space at the state veterans home in Fergus Falls, 
1.5 	Minnesota.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. POLICY.
 1.8 	The legislature finds that there is a need for a 21-bed special care unit and additional 
1.9 	clinical space for use in the care and treatment of residents at the Fergus Falls veterans 
1.10 	home, especially for those residents with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias who 
1.11 	comprise nearly 59 percent of the population at the facility. It is estimated that nearly half 
1.12 	of the currently affected facility population will require these services in their lifetime.
1.13 	The legislature further finds that this project is eligible for funding under the federal 
1.14 	State Home Construction Grant Program administered by the United States Department of 
1.15 	Veterans Affairs (VA). Under this program, the VA will pay or reimburse 65 percent of 
1.16 	the total cost of the construction once the state has appropriated its portion, which is 35 
1.17 	percent. Because of the uncertainty of when the VA approval will occur, the legislature 
1.18 	has determined to fund the full amount of the project at this time, and directs the state 
1.19 	treasurer to reimburse the bond fund from the proceeds of the federal grant when it occurs.

1.20 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 1.21 	$9,970,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of 
1.22 	veterans affairs for the purpose of constructing, furnishing, and equipping a 21-bed 
1.23 	special care unit and additional clinical space at the state veterans home in Fergus Falls, 
1.24 	Minnesota.

2.1 	Sec. 3. BOND SALE AUTHORIZATION.
 2.2 	To provide the money appropriated in section 2 from the bond proceeds fund, 
2.3 	the commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an amount up to 
2.4 	$9,970,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect prescribed by Minnesota 
2.5 	Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, 
2.6 	sections 4 to 7.

2.7 	Sec. 4. FEDERAL MATCHING GRANT; REIMBURSEMENT TO BOND 
2.8 	FUND.
 2.9 	The commissioner of veterans affairs must apply to the United States Department 
2.10 	of Veterans Affairs (VA) for matching grant funding under the federal State Home 
2.11 	Construction Grant Program administered by the VA for the project described in section 1.

2.12 	Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.13 	Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final enactment.