HF 1937

Conference Committee Report - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 05/07/2023 10:44am

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 1937

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of Military
Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs; modifying veterans bonus program
and Minnesota GI bill program provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 190.19, subdivision 2a; 197.236,
subdivision 9; 197.79, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 197.791,
subdivisions 5, 6, 7; Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section
37, subdivision 2.

May 6, 2023
The Honorable Melissa Hortman
Speaker of the House of Representatives

The Honorable Bobby Joe Champion
President of the Senate

We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 1937 report that we have agreed upon the
items in dispute and recommend as follows:

That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 1937 be further amended
as follows:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS 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 "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under
them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.
"The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium"
is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
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 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 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 61,020,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 29,357,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. The base is $26,724,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and $26,730,000 in fiscal year 2027
and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

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

new text begin 9,951,000 new text end

new text begin 10,064,000 new text end

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

new text begin 36,755,000 new text end

new text begin 5,279,000 new text end

new text begin The base for this appropriation is $4,246,000
in fiscal year 2026 and $4,252,000 in fiscal
year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (a) MN Cyber Coordination Cell (C3).
$552,000 the first year and $558,000 the
second year are for administrative and payroll
costs to create and operate a Cyber
Coordination Cell in the Minnesota National
Guard. The base for this appropriation is
$297,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $303,000 in
fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (b) Army Combat Fitness Test Field House.
$17,600,000 the first year is for predesign,
design, construction, furnishing and equipping
costs for an Army Combat Fitness Test Field
House. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minnesota Military Museum at Camp
Ripley. $14,055,000 the first year is for the
design and construction of the Minnesota
military museum at Camp Ripley. This
appropriation is in addition to the
appropriation made in Laws 2020, Fifth
Special Session chapter 3, article 1, section
14, subdivision 6, for the same purposes. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (d) Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F).
$760,000 the first year and $772,000 the
second year are for administrative and payroll
costs to create and operate Holistic Health and
Fitness (H2F) initiatives across the Minnesota
Army National Guard. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

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

new text begin 13,614,000 new text end

new text begin 13,614,000 new text end

new text begin The appropriations in this subdivision are
available until June 30, 2027. The base for this
appropriation is $12,114,000 in fiscal year
2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin If the amount for fiscal year 2024 is
insufficient, the amount for 2025 is available
in fiscal year 2024. Any unencumbered
balance does not cancel at the end of the first
year and is available for the second year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Emergency Services new text end

new text begin 700,000 new text end

new text begin 400,000 new text end

new text begin new text begin Sustain Domestic Operations
Communication Capabilities. new text end For ongoing
replacement of communications systems to
support domestic operations when ordered
into state service by the governor. The base
for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal year
2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
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 146,548,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 132,011,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. The base is $123,645,000 in
fiscal year 2026 and $124,693,000 in fiscal
year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

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

new text begin 56,523,000 new text end

new text begin 31,214,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. The base is $30,258,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (a) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $4,282,000
each year is for the operation of the state's
veterans cemeteries. The base for this
appropriation is $3,782,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (b) Veterans Service Organizations.
$500,000 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) Honor Guards. $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 (d) Minnesota GI Bill. $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 (e) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year
is for administering the Gold Star Program for
surviving family members of deceased
veterans.
new text end

new text begin (f) County Veterans Service Office.
$1,550,000 each year is for funding the
County Veterans Service Office grant program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
new text end

new text begin (g) Camp Bliss. $150,000 each year is for a
grant to Camp Bliss as provided under article
2, section 9.
new text end

new text begin (h) Veterans on the Lake. $50,000 each year
is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for
expenses related to retreats for veterans,
including therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans. These are onetime
appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (i) Veteran Resilience Project. $300,000 each
year is for a grant to the veteran resilience
project. Grant funds must be used to make eye
movement desensitization and reprocessing
therapy available to veterans, veterans'
spouses, current military service members,
and current military service members' spouses
who are suffering from posttraumatic stress
disorder and trauma. The base for this
appropriation is $200,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin The veteran resilience project must report to
the commissioner of veterans affairs and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
veterans affairs policy and finance by January
15 of each year on the program. The report
must include an overview of the program's
budget, a detailed explanation of program
expenditures, the number of veterans and
service members served by the program, and
a list and explanation of the services provided
to program participants.
new text end

new text begin (j) new text begin CORE Program. new text end $1,225,000 each year is
for the Counseling and Case Management
Outreach Referral and Education (CORE)
program.
new text end

new text begin (k) LinkVet Call Center. $369,000 each year
is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call
Center.
new text end

new text begin (l) new text begin Recently Separated Veterans Program. new text end
$350,000 each year is for operation of the
recently separated veterans program. The
commissioner of veterans affairs may use
Department of Defense and other veteran data
that were provided with an appropriate
disclosure to assist with connecting veterans
to resources and new programming. The
commissioner may use money for personnel,
research, marketing, technology solutions, and
professional or technical contracts. The base
for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal year
2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (m) new text begin Homeless Veterans and SOAR
Program. new text end $1,035,000 each year is to operate
the homeless veteran registry and homeless
programs and to assist veterans, former service
members, and veterans' and former service
members' dependents with obtaining federal
benefits through the Social Security
Administration. The commissioner of veterans
affairs may use money for personnel, training,
research, marketing, and professional or
technical contracts. The base for this
appropriation is $1,344,000 in fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (n) new text begin Minnesota Assistance Council for
Veterans. new text end $7,865,000 the first year and
$1,075,000 the second year are for grants to
the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
to provide assistance throughout Minnesota
to veterans and veterans' families who are
homeless or in danger of homelessness,
including assistance with:
new text end

new text begin (1) supportive services to maintain housing;
new text end

new text begin (2) employment;
new text end

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

new text begin (4) housing and housing-related costs;
new text end

new text begin (5) transportation;
new text end

new text begin (6) the acquisition and creation of permanent
supportive housing; and
new text end

new text begin (7) property management of permanent
supportive housing.
new text end

new text begin Of these amounts, $6,350,000 the first year is
for the establishment of permanent supportive
housing options for homeless veterans and
former service members. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2026. $440,000 the first year is for the direct
veteran assistance grant. This is a onetime
appropriation. Any unencumbered balance
remaining in this subdivision in the first year
for grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council
for Veterans does not cancel and is available
for the second year. Assistance authorized
under this paragraph must be provided only
to a veteran who has resided in Minnesota for
30 days prior to the veteran's application for
assistance and according to other guidelines
established by the commissioner. 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 (o) Veterans Bonus Program. $15,000,000
the first year is for service bonuses to
Post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available
until June 30, 2024.
new text end

new text begin (p) Metro Meals on Wheels. $540,000 each
year is for a grant to Metro Meals on Wheels
to provide: (1) home-delivered meals to
veterans; and (2) technical, enrollment,
outreach, and volunteer recruitment assistance
to member programs. Metro Meals on Wheels
must report to the commissioner of veterans
affairs and the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and
finance by September 1 each year with a
detailed explanation of how the grant money
was used and the number of veterans and
service members served by the program. This
is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (q) Minnesota Military and Veterans
Museum. $225,000 the second year is for a
grant to the Minnesota Military and Veterans
Museum for museum staff to provide direct
services to veterans and their families. The
base for this appropriation is $300,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (r) Every Third Saturday. $100,000 each
year is for a grant to Every Third Saturday to
provide veterans with emergency assistance
and internships. Every Third Saturday must
report to the commissioner of veterans affairs
and the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over veterans affairs policy and finance no
later than September 1, 2024, and by
September 1 of each subsequent year. Each
report must include, at a minimum, a detailed
explanation of how the grant money was used
and the number of veterans served by the
program. These are onetime appropriations.
new text end

new text begin (s) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
$4,311,000 the first year and $1,311,000 the
second year are for an initiative to prevent and
end veteran homelessness.
new text end

new text begin (t) Veterans Campground Wastewater
System Upgrades. $744,000 the first year is
for one or more grants to the Veterans
Campground on Big Marine Lake, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, to design, engineer,
permit, and construct wastewater systems on
campground property to increase the capacity
of wastewater systems. 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 90,025,000 new text end

new text begin 100,797,000 new text end

new text begin (a) The base for this appropriation in fiscal
year 2026 is $93,387,000 and $94,435,000 in
fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin (b) $88,885,000 the first year and $99,847,000
the second year 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. The base for this
transfer is $92,437,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
$93,485,000 in fiscal year 2027.
new text end

new text begin (c) 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 that are received. Contingent
upon future federal Medicare receipts,
reductions to the veterans homes' general fund
appropriation may be made.
new text end

new text begin (d) $400,000 each year is for the department
to staff Veteran Community Health Navigators
in community-based hospitals.
new text end

new text begin (e) $190,000 the first year is for the working
group established under article 2, section 8.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin CANCELLATION; FISCAL YEAR 2023.
new text end

new text begin (a) $3,000,000 of the fiscal year 2023 general fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First
Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, paragraph (i), is canceled
to the general fund by June 30, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (b) $744,000 of the fiscal year 2023 general fund appropriation under Laws 2022, chapter
54, article 1, section 3, subdivision 2, paragraph (k), is canceled to the general fund by June
30, 2023.
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

VETERANS AFFAIRS STATUTORY CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given them.

(a) "Applicant" means a veteran or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal
representative or a beneficiary or a beneficiary's guardian, conservator, or personal
representative who has filed an application with the commissioner for a bonus under this
section.

(b) "Application" means a request for a bonus payment by a veteran, a veteran's
beneficiary, or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal representative through
submission of written information on a form designed by the commissioner for this purpose.

(c) "Beneficiary" means in relation to a deceased veteran and in the order named:

(1) the surviving spouse, if not remarried;

(2) the children of the veteran, if there is no surviving spouse or the surviving spouse
has remarried;

(3) the veteran's surviving parent or parents;

(4) the veteran's surviving sibling or siblings; or

(5) the veteran's estate.

(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(e) "Department" means the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(f) "Eligibility period for the bonus" means the period from September 11, 2001, to
August 30, 2021.

(g) "Guardian" or "conservator" means the legally appointed representative of a minor
or incapacitated beneficiary or veteran, the chief officer of a hospital or institution in which
the incapacitated veteran is placed if the officer is authorized to accept money for the benefit
of the minor or incapacitated veteran, the person determined by the commissioner to be the
person who is legally charged with the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated
beneficiary or veteran, or the person determined by the commissioner to be the person who
has assumed the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated beneficiary or
veteran.

(h) "Honorable service" means honorable federal service in the United States armed
forces, as evidenced by:

(1) an honorable discharge;

(2) a general discharge under honorable conditions;

(3) in the case of an officer, a certificate of honorable service; or

(4) in the case of an applicant who is currently serving in active duty in the United States
armed forces, a certificate from an appropriate service authority that the applicant's service
to date has been honorable.

(i) "Incapacitated person" means an individual who, for reasons other than being a minor,
lacks sufficient understanding or the capacity to make personal decisions and who is unable
to meet the individual's own personal needs for medical care, nutrition, clothing, shelter, or
safety even when assisted by appropriate technology or supported decision making.

(j) "Resident veteran" means a veteran who served in active duty in the United States
armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, and who also:

(1) has been separated or discharged from the United States armed forces deleted text begin , and whose
home of record at the time of entry into active duty in the United States armed forces, as
indicated on the person's form DD-214 or other documents the commissioner may authorize,
is the state of Minnesota deleted text end and deleted text begin who deleted text end resides in Minnesota at the time of application 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; or

(2) is currently serving in the United States armed forces, and has a certificate from an
appropriate service authority stating that the person: (i) served in active duty in the United
States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus; and (ii) has
Minnesota listed as the veteran's home of record in the veteran's official military personnel
file.

(k) "Service connected" means caused by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated
while on active duty, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

(l) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447 and does not include a member
of the National Guard or the reserve components of the United States armed forces ordered
to active duty for the sole purpose of training. Veteran also includes a person who is providing
honorable service on active duty in the United States armed forces and has not been separated
or discharged.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Bonus amount.

(a) For a resident veteran who provided honorable service in
the United States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, the
bonus amount is:

(1) $600, if the veteran did not receive the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, deleted text begin or deleted text end Afghanistan Campaign
Medal new text begin , or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal new text end during the eligibility period for the bonus;

(2) $1200, if the veteran received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, deleted text begin or deleted text end Afghanistan Campaign Medal new text begin ,
or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal new text end during the eligibility period for the bonus; or

(3) $2,000, if the veteran was eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, deleted text begin or deleted text end Afghanistan Campaign
Medal new text begin , or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal new text end during the eligibility period for the bonus,
and died during that time period as a direct result of a service connected injury, disease, or
condition.

(b) In the case of a deceased veteran, the commissioner shall pay the bonus to the veteran's
beneficiary.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Reapplication allowed. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an eligible
veteran who previously applied for a bonus under this section may reapply if the veteran
either was denied a bonus or is entitled to receive a larger bonus than was originally awarded
based on the amendments to this section contained in this act.
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 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Educational assistance.

(a) On approval by the commissioner of eligibility
for the program, the applicant shall be awarded, on a funds-available basis, the educational
assistance under the program for use at any time according to program rules at any eligible
institution.

(b) The amount of educational assistance in any semester or term for an eligible person
must be determined by subtracting from the eligible person's cost of attendance the amount
the person received or was eligible to receive in that semester or term from:

(1) the federal Pell Grant;

(2) the state grant program under section 136A.121; and

(3) any federal military or veterans educational benefits including but not limited to the
Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, the federal tuition assistance program, vocational
rehabilitation benefits, and any other federal benefits associated with the person's status as
a veteran, except veterans disability payments from the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs.

(c) The amount of educational assistance for any eligible person who is a deleted text begin full-time deleted text end
student must not exceed the following:

(1) deleted text begin $3,000 deleted text end new text begin $5,000 new text end per state fiscal year; and

(2) deleted text begin $10,000 deleted text end new text begin $15,000 new text end in a lifetime.

deleted text begin (d) For a part-time student, the amount of educational assistance must not exceed $500
per semester or term of enrollment. For the purpose of this paragraph, a part-time
undergraduate student is a student taking fewer than 12 credits or the equivalent for a
semester or term of enrollment and a part-time graduate student is a student considered part
time by the eligible institution the graduate student is attending. The minimum award for
undergraduate and graduate students is $50 per term.
deleted text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

(a) The commissioner, in consultation
with the commissioners of employment and economic development and labor and industry,
shall develop and implement an apprenticeship and on-the-job training program to administer
a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay benefit amounts to eligible persons, as
provided in this subdivision.

(b) An "eligible employer" means an employer operating a qualifying apprenticeship or
on-the-job training program that has been approved by the commissioner.

(c) A person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under this
subdivision if the person is:

(1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United
States armed forces at any time;

(2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively
as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of
the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September
11, 2001;

(3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has
died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible
to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as
amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or

(4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who
has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans
Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits
under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38,
chapter 35, as amended.

(d) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this
subdivision must not exceed the following:

(1) $3,000 per fiscal year for apprenticeship expenses;

(2) $3,000 per fiscal year for on-the-job training;

(3) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer upon hiring and
completion of six consecutive months' employment of a person receiving assistance under
this subdivision; and

(4) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer after a person
receiving assistance under this subdivision has been employed by the eligible employer for
at least 12 consecutive months as a full-time employee.

(e) No more than $5,000 in aggregate benefits under this subdivision may be paid to or
on behalf of an individual in one fiscal year.

(f) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5b, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5b must not exceed deleted text begin $10,000 deleted text end new text begin
$15,000 new text end in the eligible person's lifetime.

(g) Assistance for apprenticeship expenses and on-the-job training is available for
qualifying programs, which must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:

(1) the training must be with an eligible employer;

(2) the training must be documented and reported;

(3) the training must reasonably be expected to lead to an entry-level position; and

(4) the position must require at least six months of training to become fully trained.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Additional professional or educational benefits.

(a) The commissioner shall
develop and implement a program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program
to pay additional benefit amounts to eligible persons as provided under this subdivision.

(b) A person is eligible for additional benefits under this subdivision if the person is:

(1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United
States armed forces at any time;

(2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively
as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of
the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September
11, 2001;

(3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has
died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible
to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as
amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or

(4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who
has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans
Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits
under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38,
chapter 35, as amended.

(c) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this
subdivision must not exceed the following amounts:

(1) $3,000 per state fiscal year; and

(2) deleted text begin $10,000 deleted text end new text begin $15,000 new text end in a lifetime.

(d) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5a, the eligible person's
aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5a must not exceed deleted text begin $10,000 deleted text end new text begin
$15,000 new text end in the eligible person's lifetime.

(e) A person eligible under this subdivision may use the benefit amounts for the following
purposes:

(1) licensing or certification tests, the successful completion of which demonstrates an
individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter into, maintain, or advance
in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that the
tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer the tests are
approved by the commissioner;

(2) tests for admission to institutions of higher learning or graduate schools;

(3) national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher
learning;

(4) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to an institution
of higher education or a graduate program; and

(5) any fee associated with the pursuit of a professional or educational objective specified
in clauses (1) to (4).

Sec. 7.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Veterans Programs and Services

27,073,000

22,153,000

(a) CORE Program. $750,000 each year is
for the Counseling and Case Management
Outreach Referral and Education (CORE)
program.

(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
$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.

(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:

(1) utilities;

(2) employment; and

(3) legal issues.

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.

(d) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $6,172,000
the first year and $1,672,000 the second year
are for the state's veterans cemeteries. Of these
amounts, $4,500,000 the first year is to
construct and equip the new veterans cemetery
in Redwood Falls.

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

(f) Minnesota GI Bill. $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.

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

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

(i) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
$3,165,000 each year is for an initiative to
prevent and end veteran homelessness. The
commissioner of veterans affairs may provide
housing vouchers and other services to
alleviate homelessness among veterans and
former service members in Minnesota. The
commissioner may contract for program
administration and may establish a vacancy
reserve fund. The base for this appropriation
in fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is
$1,311,000.

(j) Camp Bliss. $75,000 each year is for a
grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc. for
expenses related to retreats for veterans at
Camp Bliss in Walker, Minnesota, including
therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans.

(k) Veterans On The Lake. $50,000 in the
first year is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake
for expenses related to retreats for veterans,
including therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans.

(l) Veterans Resilience Project. $400,000
each year is for a grant to the veterans
resilience project. Grant funds must be used
to make eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing therapy available to veterans deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin ,
veterans' spouses, new text end current military service
members new text begin , and current military service
members' spouses new text end who are suffering from
posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma. The
base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2024
and each year thereafter is $200,000.

The veterans resilience project must report to
the commissioner of veterans affairs and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over
veterans affairs policy and finance by January
15 of each year on the program. The report
must include an overview of the program's
budget, a detailed explanation of program
expenditures, the number of veterans and
service members served by the program, and
a list and explanation of the services provided
to program participants.

(m) 9/11 Task Force. $500,000 the first year
is for the Advisory Task Force on 9/11 and
Global War on Terrorism Remembrance. The
task force must collect, memorialize, and
publish stories of Minnesotans' service in the
Global War on Terrorism and impacts on their
dependents. The task force must host a
remembrance program in September 2021.
This is a onetime appropriation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 8. new text begin VETERAN DOMICILIARY RESIDENT QUALITY OF CARE WORKING
GROUP.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The veteran domiciliary resident quality of care working group
consists of the following members:
new text end

new text begin (1) commissioners of the following agencies or the commissioners' designees:
new text end

new text begin (i) the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) the Department of Health;
new text end

new text begin (2) two Department of Veterans Affairs staff with expertise in veterans homes, appointed
by the commissioner of veterans affairs;
new text end

new text begin (3) two Department of Health staff with expertise in boarding care homes, domiciliary
settings, assisted living, and related standards of care, appointed by the commissioner of
health;
new text end

new text begin (4) five medical professionals, including a medical doctor, a nurse, a mental health
professional, and two other health care professionals, with expertise in veterans' health care,
appointed by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (5) up to three past or current domiciliary staff with experience caring for residents
appointed by the governor; and
new text end

new text begin (6) four public members who have an interest in veterans affairs, including two public
members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and two public members
appointed by the majority leader of the senate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group shall meet on a regular basis and the first meeting
must be no later than 45 days after the effective date of this section. The working group
shall review and analyze the acuity of domiciliary residents and the current care model,
including admission, care plans, and day-to-day care, and the current staffing structure and
ratios. The working group shall provide recommendations on:
new text end

new text begin (1) staffing levels that are necessary to properly care for residents based on the residents'
range of acuity;
new text end

new text begin (2) a care delivery model that focuses on appropriate and adequate care for residents;
new text end

new text begin (3) additional and ongoing training for domiciliary staff;
new text end

new text begin (4) a sufficient management structure to ensure support and provide guidance to staff;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) outcomes to determine if staffing levels and care delivery are appropriate or if, based
on the outcomes, adjustments are necessary.
new text end

new text begin The working group shall provide information and recommendations to the legislature by
January 15, 2024, that the legislature can use to make decisions and effectuate change to
ensure that the standard of care and staffing levels are sufficient for different resident acuity
levels in the domiciliary.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative provisions. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs or the
commissioner's designee must convene the initial meeting of the working group. Upon the
request of the working group, the commissioner must provide meeting space and
administrative services for the group. The members of the working group must elect a chair
or cochairs from the members of the working group at the initial meeting.
new text end

new text begin (b) Public members of the working group serve without compensation or payment of
expenses.
new text end

new text begin (c) The working group expires January 15, 2024, or upon submission of the report
required under subdivision 2, whichever is earlier.
new text end

new text begin (d) The working group may accept gifts and grants that are accepted on behalf of the
state and constitute donations to the state. Money received under this paragraph is
appropriated to the commissioner of veterans affairs for the purposes of the working group.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Deadline for appointments and designations. new text end

new text begin The appointments and
designations authorized by this section must be completed by August 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin CAMP BLISS GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program; eligibility; reimbursement requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The
commissioner of veterans affairs shall issue a grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc., for
expenses related to retreats for eligible veterans and the veterans' family members at Camp
Bliss in the city of Walker.
new text end

new text begin (b) The grant recipient may use grant money to provide therapy, transportation, and
activities customized for eligible veterans and the veterans' family members.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must reimburse the grant recipient at least $850 for each eligible
veteran or family member who the commissioner verifies attended the camp and received
services from the grant recipient. The commissioner shall disburse money to the grant
recipient for up to two visits per year to the camp for each eligible veteran or family member.
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.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Eligible veteran" means a Minnesota resident who is either:
new text end

new text begin (1) a former armed forces service member who has a DD-214 or other official document
from the official military personnel file of the veteran that describes the honorable service
of the veteran; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a current armed forces member, whether serving in the active or reserve component
of the armed forces.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Family member" means an eligible veteran's spouse, domestic partner, and children.
new text end

Sec. 10. new text begin VETERANS HOMES COST OF CARE CALCULATION.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 198.03, subdivision 2, and Minnesota
Rules, part 9050.0500, the commissioner of veterans affairs is not required to perform the
annual calculation of the cost of care for veterans homes in Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji
in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the commissioner must calculate
the average daily cost of care per resident by averaging the cost of care of veterans homes
in Luverne and Fergus Falls. The commissioner must only use this method of calculating
the cost of care of veterans homes in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This section expires on
June 30, 2025. new text end "

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of Military
Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs; modifying veterans bonus program
and Minnesota GI bill program provisions; establishing the veteran domiciliary
resident quality of care working group; requiring reports; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 197.79, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding
a subdivision; 197.791, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; Laws 2021, First Special Session
chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2."

We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.
House Conferees: .
.		.
Jerry Newton		Steve Elkins
.
Matt Bliss
Senate Conferees: .
.		.
Nicole Mitchell		Erin Murphy
.
Bruce Anderson