Minnesota Session Laws - 2003, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 18-S.F.No. 1095 
                  An act relating to veterans affairs; clarifying that 
                  certain benefits are limited to state residents; 
                  amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 197.05. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 197.05, is 
        amended to read: 
           197.05 [FUND, HOW EXPENDED.] 
           (a) The state soldiers' assistance fund shall be 
        administered by the commissioner of veterans affairs and shall 
        be used to locate and investigate the facts as to any citizen of 
        Minnesota resident or resident alien residing in Minnesota who 
        served in the military or naval forces of the United States and 
        who is indigent or suffering from any disability whether 
        acquired in the service or not; to assist the person and the 
        person's dependents as hereinafter provided in establishing and 
        proving any just claim the person may have against the United 
        States government, or any other government or state for 
        compensation, insurance, relief, or other benefits; to provide 
        emergency hospitalization, treatment, maintenance, and relief 
        for any person suffering from disability who was a bona fide 
        resident of the state at the time the need arose and the 
        person's dependents, as hereinafter provided; and to cooperate 
        with other state, municipal, and county officials and civic or 
        civilian agencies or organizations in carrying out the 
        provisions of sections 197.03 to 197.07.  The commissioner shall 
        limit financial assistance to veterans and dependents to six 
        months, unless recipients have been certified as ineligible for 
        other benefit programs. 
           (b) For purposes of this section, "resident" means a person 
        living in Minnesota for at least 30 days with the intention of 
        residing in the state and not for any temporary purpose.  An 
        applicant may verify a residence address by presenting a valid 
        state driver's license, a state identification card, a voter 
        registration card, a rent receipt, a statement by the landlord, 
        apartment manager, or homeowner verifying that the individual is 
        residing at the address, or other form of verification approved 
        by the commissioner. 
           (c) The fund is appropriated to be used in the manner 
        determined by the commissioner of veterans affairs for these 
        purposes. 
           [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 
        following final enactment. 
           Presented to the governor April 16, 2003 
           Signed by the governor April 17, 2003, 10:40 a.m.