Bill HF1937, SF2247

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of Military 
1.3          Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs; modifying veterans bonus program 
1.4          and Minnesota GI bill program provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money;
1.5          amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 197.79, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding 
1.6          a subdivision; 197.791, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; Laws 2021, First Special Session 
1.7          chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivisions 1, 2.
1.8          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9          ARTICLE 1
1.10       MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

1.12       The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
1.13       and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
1.14       or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
1.15       The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
1.16       them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. 
1.17       "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" 
1.18       is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

2.1          The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.2          purpose are specified in the following 
2.3          subdivisions. The base is $29,534,000 in fiscal 
2.4          year 2026 and $29,568,000 in fiscal year 2027 
2.5          and each year thereafter.

2.8          The base is $5,356,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
2.9          $5,390,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year 
2.10       thereafter.
2.11       (a) MN Cyber Coordination Cell (C3).
2.12       $582,000 the first year and $597,000 the 
2.13       second year are for administrative and payroll 
2.14       costs to create and operate a Cyber 
2.15       Coordination Cell in the Minnesota National 
2.16       Guard. The base is $612,000 in fiscal year 
2.17       2026 and $627,000 in fiscal year 2027 and 
2.18       each year thereafter.
2.19       (b) Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F).
2.20       $757,000 the first year and $775,000 the 
2.21       second year are for administrative and payroll 
2.22       costs to create and operate Holistic Health and 
2.23       Fitness (H2F) initiatives across the Minnesota 
2.24       Army National Guard. The base is $795,000 
2.25       in fiscal year 2026 and $814,000 in fiscal year 
2.26       2027 and each year thereafter.

2.28       The appropriations in this subdivision are 
2.29       available until June 30, 2027.
2.30       If the amount for fiscal year 2024 is 
2.31       insufficient, the amount for 2025 is available 
2.32       in fiscal year 2024. Any unencumbered 
2.33       balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
2.34       year and is available for the second year.

3.2          (a) Sustain Domestic Operations 
3.3          Communication Capabilities. $600,000 the 
3.4          first year and $500,000 the second year are 
3.5          for ongoing replacement of communications 
3.6          systems to support domestic operations when 
3.7          ordered into state service by the governor.

3.10       The amounts that may be spent for each 
3.11       purpose are specified in the following 
3.12       subdivisions. The base is $126,206,000 in 
3.13       fiscal year 2026 and $127,254,000 in fiscal 
3.14       year 2027 and each year thereafter.

3.16       The amounts that may be spent for each 
3.17       purpose are specified in the following 
3.18       subdivisions. The base is $31,071,000 in fiscal 
3.19       year 2026 and each year thereafter.
3.20       (a) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $4,282,000 
3.21       each year is for the operation of the state's 
3.22       veterans cemeteries.
3.23       (b) CORE Program. $1,275,000 each year 
3.24       is for the Counseling and Case Management 
3.25       Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) 
3.26       program.
3.27       (c) LinkVet Call Center. $500,000 each year 
3.28       is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call 
3.29       Center.
3.30       (d) Recently Separated Veterans Program.
3.31       $402,000 the first year and $327,000 the 
3.32       second year are for operation of the recently 
3.33       separated veterans program. The commissioner 
4.1          of veterans affairs may use Department of 
4.2          Defense and other veteran data that was 
4.3          provided with an appropriate disclosure to 
4.4          assist with connecting veterans to resources 
4.5          and new programming. The commissioner 
4.6          may use money for personnel, research, 
4.7          marketing, technology solutions, and 
4.8          professional or technical contracts.
4.9          (e) Homeless Veterans and SOAR Program.
4.10       $1,400,000 each year is to operate the 
4.11       homeless veteran registry and homeless 
4.12       programs and to assist veterans, former service 
4.13       members, and their dependents with attaining 
4.14       federal benefits through the Social Security 
4.15       Administration. The commissioner of veterans 
4.16       affairs may use money for personnel, training, 
4.17       research, marketing, and professional or 
4.18       technical contracts.
4.19       (f) Minnesota Assistance Council for 
4.20       Veterans. $9,180,000 the first year and 
4.21       $2,030,000 the second year are for grants to 
4.22       the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans 
4.23       to provide assistance throughout Minnesota 
4.24       to veterans and their families who are 
4.25       homeless or in danger of homelessness, 
4.26       including assistance with:
4.27       (1) supportive services to maintain housing;
4.28       (2) employment;
4.29       (3) legal issues;
4.30       (4) housing and housing-related costs;
4.31       (5) transportation;
4.32       (6) acquisition and creation of permanent 
4.33       supportive housing; and
5.1          (7) property management of permanent 
5.2          supportive housing.
5.3          Of these amounts, $7,150,000 the first year is 
5.4          for the establishment of permanent supportive 
5.5          housing options for homeless veterans and 
5.6          former service members. This is a onetime 
5.7          appropriation and is available until June 30, 
5.8          2026. $530,000 the first year and $530,000 
5.9          the second year are for the direct veteran 
5.10       assistance grant. This is a onetime 
5.11       appropriation. Any unencumbered balance 
5.12       remaining in this subdivision in the first year 
5.13       for grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council 
5.14       for Veterans does not cancel and is available 
5.15       for the second year. The base is $1,500,000 
5.16       in fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter. 
5.17       Assistance authorized under this paragraph 
5.18       must be provided only to a veteran who has 
5.19       resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to the 
5.20       veteran's application for assistance and 
5.21       according to other guidelines established by 
5.22       the commissioner. To avoid duplication of 
5.23       services, the commissioner must ensure that 
5.24       this assistance is coordinated with all other 
5.25       available programs for veterans.
5.26       (g) Veterans Bonus Program. $22,000,000 
5.27       the first year is for service bonuses to 
5.28       Post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families 
5.29       under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79. This 
5.30       is a onetime appropriation and is available 
5.31       until June 30, 2024.
5.32       (h) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
5.33       $4,311,000 the first year and $1,311,000 the 
5.34       second year are for an initiative to prevent and 
5.35       end veteran homelessness.

6.2          (a) The base for this appropriation in fiscal 
6.3          year 2026 is $95,135,000 and $96,183,000 in 
6.4          fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter.
6.5          (b) $87,964,000 the first year and 
6.6          $100,768,000 the second year may be 
6.7          transferred to a veterans homes special 
6.8          revenue account in the special revenue fund 
6.9          in the same manner as other receipts are 
6.10       deposited according to Minnesota Statutes, 
6.11       section 198.34, and are appropriated to the 
6.12       commissioner of veterans affairs for the 
6.13       operation of veterans homes facilities and 
6.14       programs. The base for this transfer is 
6.15       $93,358,000 in fiscal year 2026 and 
6.16       $94,406,000 in fiscal year 2027.
6.17       (c) The department shall seek opportunities to 
6.18       maximize federal reimbursements of 
6.19       Medicare-eligible expenses and provide annual 
6.20       reports to the commissioner of management 
6.21       and budget on the federal Medicare 
6.22       reimbursements that are received. Contingent 
6.23       upon future federal Medicare receipts, 
6.24       reductions to the veterans homes' general fund 
6.25       appropriation may be made.
6.26       (d) $658,000 the first year and $633,000 the 
6.27       second year are for the department to staff 
6.28       Veteran Community Health Navigators in 
6.29       community-based hospitals. The base is 
6.30       $1,227,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each year 
6.31       thereafter.

7.1          ARTICLE 2
7.2          VETERANS AFFAIRS STATUTORY CHANGES

7.3          Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.4                          Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
7.5          meanings given them.
7.6          (a) "Applicant" means a veteran or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal 
7.7          representative or a beneficiary or a beneficiary's guardian, conservator, or personal 
7.8          representative who has filed an application with the commissioner for a bonus under this 
7.9          section.
7.10       (b) "Application" means a request for a bonus payment by a veteran, a veteran's 
7.11       beneficiary, or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal representative through 
7.12       submission of written information on a form designed by the commissioner for this purpose.
7.13       (c) "Beneficiary" means in relation to a deceased veteran and in the order named:
7.14       (1) the surviving spouse, if not remarried;
7.15       (2) the children of the veteran, if there is no surviving spouse or the surviving spouse 
7.16       has remarried;
7.17       (3) the veteran's surviving parent or parents;
7.18       (4) the veteran's surviving sibling or siblings; or
7.19       (5) the veteran's estate.
7.20       (d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
7.21       (e) "Department" means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
7.22       (f) "Eligibility period for the bonus" means the period from September 11, 2001, to 
7.23       August 30, 2021.
7.24       (g) "Guardian" or "conservator" means the legally appointed representative of a minor 
7.25       or incapacitated beneficiary or veteran, the chief officer of a hospital or institution in which 
7.26       the incapacitated veteran is placed if the officer is authorized to accept money for the benefit 
7.27       of the minor or incapacitated veteran, the person determined by the commissioner to be the 
7.28       person who is legally charged with the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated 
7.29       beneficiary or veteran, or the person determined by the commissioner to be the person who 
7.30       has assumed the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated beneficiary or 
7.31       veteran.
8.1          (h) "Honorable service" means honorable federal service in the United States armed 
8.2          forces, as evidenced by:
8.3          (1) an honorable discharge;
8.4          (2) a general discharge under honorable conditions;
8.5          (3) in the case of an officer, a certificate of honorable service; or
8.6          (4) in the case of an applicant who is currently serving in active duty in the United States 
8.7          armed forces, a certificate from an appropriate service authority that the applicant's service 
8.8          to date has been honorable.
8.9          (i) "Incapacitated person" means an individual who, for reasons other than being a minor, 
8.10       lacks sufficient understanding or the capacity to make personal decisions and who is unable 
8.11       to meet the individual's own personal needs for medical care, nutrition, clothing, shelter, or 
8.12       safety even when assisted by appropriate technology or supported decision making.
8.13       (j) "Resident veteran" means a veteran who served in active duty in the United States 
8.14       armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, and who also:
8.15       (1) has been separated or discharged from the United States armed forces, and whose 
8.16       home of record at the time of entry into active duty in the United States armed forces, as 
8.17       indicated on the person's form DD-214 or other documents the commissioner may authorize, 
8.18       is the state of Minnesota and who resides in Minnesota at the time of application with the 
8.19       intention of residing in the state and not for any temporary purpose. An applicant may verify 
8.20       a residence address by presenting a valid state driver's license; a state identification card; a 
8.21       voter registration card; a rent receipt; a statement by the landlord, apartment manager, or 
8.22       homeowner verifying that the individual is residing at the address; or other form of 
8.23       verification approved by the commissioner; or
8.24       (2) is currently serving in the United States armed forces, and has a certificate from an 
8.25       appropriate service authority stating that the person: (i) served in active duty in the United 
8.26       States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus; and (ii) has 
8.27       Minnesota listed as the veteran's home of record in the veteran's official military personnel 
8.28       file.
8.29       (k) "Service connected" means caused by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated 
8.30       while on active duty, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
8.31       (l) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447 and does not include a member 
8.32       of the National Guard or the reserve components of the United States armed forces ordered 
8.33       to active duty for the sole purpose of training. Veteran also includes a person who is providing 
9.1          honorable service on active duty in the United States armed forces and has not been separated 
9.2          or discharged.

9.3          Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.4                          Subd. 2.Bonus amount. (a) For a resident veteran who provided honorable service in 
9.5          the United States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, the 
9.6          bonus amount is:
9.7          (1) $600, if the veteran did not receive the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global 
9.8          War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign 
9.9          Medal, or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the bonus;
9.10       (2) $1200, if the veteran received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War 
9.11       on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal, 
9.12       or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the bonus; or
9.13       (3) $2,000, if the veteran was eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global 
9.14       War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign 
9.15       Medal, or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the bonus, 
9.16       and died during that time period as a direct result of a service connected injury, disease, or 
9.17       condition.
9.18       (b) In the case of a deceased veteran, the commissioner shall pay the bonus to the veteran's 
9.19       beneficiary.

9.20       Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
9.21       read:
9.22                       Subd. 11.Reapplication allowed. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an eligible 
9.23       veteran who previously applied for a bonus under this section may reapply if the veteran 
9.24       either was denied a bonus or is entitled to receive a larger bonus than was originally awarded 
9.25       based on the amendments to this section contained in this act.

9.26       EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

9.27       Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
9.28                       Subd. 5.Educational assistance. (a) On approval by the commissioner of eligibility 
9.29       for the program, the applicant shall be awarded, on a funds-available basis, the educational 
9.30       assistance under the program for use at any time according to program rules at any eligible 
9.31       institution.
10.1       (b) The amount of educational assistance in any semester or term for an eligible person 
10.2       must be determined by subtracting from the eligible person's cost of attendance the amount 
10.3       the person received or was eligible to receive in that semester or term from:
10.4       (1) the federal Pell Grant;
10.5       (2) the state grant program under section 136A.121; and
10.6       (3) any federal military or veterans educational benefits including but not limited to the 
10.7       Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, the federal tuition assistance program, vocational 
10.8       rehabilitation benefits, and any other federal benefits associated with the person's status as 
10.9       a veteran, except veterans disability payments from the United States Department of Veterans 
10.10     Affairs.
10.11     (c) The amount of educational assistance for any eligible person who is a full-time
10.12     student must not exceed the following:
10.13     (1) $3,000 $6,000 per state fiscal year; and
10.14     (2) $10,000 $15,000 in a lifetime.
10.15     (d) For a part-time student, the amount of educational assistance must not exceed $500 
10.16     per semester or term of enrollment. For the purpose of this paragraph, a part-time 
10.17     undergraduate student is a student taking fewer than 12 credits or the equivalent for a 
10.18     semester or term of enrollment and a part-time graduate student is a student considered part 
10.19     time by the eligible institution the graduate student is attending. The minimum award for 
10.20     undergraduate and graduate students is $50 per term.

10.21     Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
10.22                     Subd. 6.Apprenticeship and on-the-job training. (a) The commissioner, in consultation 
10.23     with the commissioners of employment and economic development and labor and industry, 
10.24     shall develop and implement an apprenticeship and on-the-job training program to administer 
10.25     a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay benefit amounts to eligible persons, as 
10.26     provided in this subdivision.
10.27     (b) An "eligible employer" means an employer operating a qualifying apprenticeship or 
10.28     on-the-job training program that has been approved by the commissioner.
10.29     (c) A person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under this 
10.30     subdivision if the person is:
10.31     (1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United 
10.32     States armed forces at any time;
11.1       (2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively 
11.2       as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of 
11.3       the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 
11.4       11, 2001;
11.5       (3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has 
11.6       died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible 
11.7       to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as 
11.8       amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
11.9       (4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who 
11.10     has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans 
11.11     Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits 
11.12     under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, 
11.13     chapter 35, as amended.
11.14     (d) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this 
11.15     subdivision must not exceed the following:
11.16     (1) $3,000 per fiscal year for apprenticeship expenses;
11.17     (2) $3,000 per fiscal year for on-the-job training;
11.18     (3) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer upon hiring and 
11.19     completion of six consecutive months' employment of a person receiving assistance under 
11.20     this subdivision; and
11.21     (4) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer after a person 
11.22     receiving assistance under this subdivision has been employed by the eligible employer for 
11.23     at least 12 consecutive months as a full-time employee.
11.24     (e) No more than $5,000 in aggregate benefits under this subdivision may be paid to or 
11.25     on behalf of an individual in one fiscal year.
11.26     (f) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5b, the eligible person's 
11.27     aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5b must not exceed $10,000
11.28     $15,000 in the eligible person's lifetime.
11.29     (g) Assistance for apprenticeship expenses and on-the-job training is available for 
11.30     qualifying programs, which must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
11.31     (1) the training must be with an eligible employer;
11.32     (2) the training must be documented and reported;
12.1       (3) the training must reasonably be expected to lead to an entry-level position; and
12.2       (4) the position must require at least six months of training to become fully trained.

12.3       Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
12.4                       Subd. 7.Additional professional or educational benefits. (a) The commissioner shall 
12.5       develop and implement a program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program 
12.6       to pay additional benefit amounts to eligible persons as provided under this subdivision.
12.7       (b) A person is eligible for additional benefits under this subdivision if the person is:
12.8       (1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United 
12.9       States armed forces at any time;
12.10     (2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively 
12.11     as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of 
12.12     the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 
12.13     11, 2001;
12.14     (3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has 
12.15     died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible 
12.16     to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as 
12.17     amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
12.18     (4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who 
12.19     has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans 
12.20     Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits 
12.21     under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, 
12.22     chapter 35, as amended.
12.23     (c) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this 
12.24     subdivision must not exceed the following amounts:
12.25     (1) $3,000 per state fiscal year; and
12.26     (2) $10,000 $15,000 in a lifetime.
12.27     (d) If an eligible person receives benefits under subdivision 5 or 5a, the eligible person's 
12.28     aggregate benefits under this subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5a must not exceed $10,000
12.29     $15,000 in the eligible person's lifetime.
12.30     (e) A person eligible under this subdivision may use the benefit amounts for the following 
12.31     purposes:
13.1       (1) licensing or certification tests, the successful completion of which demonstrates an 
13.2       individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter into, maintain, or advance 
13.3       in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that the 
13.4       tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer the tests are 
13.5       approved by the commissioner;
13.6       (2) tests for admission to institutions of higher learning or graduate schools;
13.7       (3) national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher 
13.8       learning;
13.9       (4) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to an institution 
13.10     of higher education or a graduate program; and
13.11     (5) any fee associated with the pursuit of a professional or educational objective specified 
13.12     in clauses (1) to (4).

13.13     Sec. 7. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 1, 
13.14     is amended to read:

13.17     The amounts that may be spent for each 
13.18     purpose are specified in the following 
13.19     subdivisions. The base for this appropriation 
13.20     in fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is 
13.21     $90,185,000.

13.22     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

13.23     Sec. 8. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, 
13.24     is amended to read:

13.27     (a) CORE Program. $750,000 each year is 
13.28     for the Counseling and Case Management 
13.29     Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) 
13.30     program.
13.31     (b) Veterans Service Organizations.
13.32     $353,000 each year is for grants to the 
14.1       following congressionally chartered veterans 
14.2       service organizations as designated by the 
14.3       commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, 
14.4       Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 
14.5       American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
14.6       Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and 
14.7       Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding 
14.8       must be allocated in direct proportion to the 
14.9       funding currently being provided by the 
14.10     commissioner to these organizations.
14.11     (c) Minnesota Assistance Council for 
14.12     Veterans. $750,000 each year is for a grant 
14.13     to the Minnesota Assistance Council for 
14.14     Veterans to provide assistance throughout 
14.15     Minnesota to veterans and their families who 
14.16     are homeless or in danger of homelessness, 
14.17     including assistance with the following:
14.18     (1) utilities;
14.19     (2) employment; and
14.20     (3) legal issues.
14.21     The assistance authorized under this paragraph 
14.22     must be made only to veterans who have 
14.23     resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to 
14.24     application for assistance and according to 
14.25     other guidelines established by the 
14.26     commissioner. In order to avoid duplication 
14.27     of services, the commissioner must ensure that 
14.28     this assistance is coordinated with all other 
14.29     available programs for veterans.
14.30     (d) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $6,172,000 
14.31     the first year and $1,672,000 the second year 
14.32     are for the state's veterans cemeteries. Of these 
14.33     amounts, $4,500,000 the first year is to 
15.1       construct and equip the new veterans cemetery 
15.2       in Redwood Falls.
15.3       (e) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for 
15.4       compensation for honor guards at the funerals 
15.5       of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.6       197.231.
15.7       (f) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is 
15.8       for the costs of administering the Minnesota 
15.9       GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits, 
15.10     on-the-job training, and apprenticeship 
15.11     program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.12     197.791.
15.13     (g) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year 
15.14     is for administering the Gold Star Program for 
15.15     surviving family members of deceased 
15.16     veterans.
15.17     (h) County Veterans Service Office.
15.18     $1,100,000 each year is for funding the 
15.19     County Veterans Service Office grant program 
15.20     under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
15.21     (i) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
15.22     $3,165,000 each year is in fiscal year 2022 
15.23     and $165,000 in fiscal year 2023 are for an 
15.24     initiative to prevent and end veteran 
15.25     homelessness. The commissioner of veterans 
15.26     affairs may provide housing vouchers and 
15.27     other services to alleviate homelessness among 
15.28     veterans and former service members in 
15.29     Minnesota. The commissioner may contract 
15.30     for program administration and may establish 
15.31     a vacancy reserve fund. The base for this 
15.32     appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and each year 
15.33     thereafter is $1,311,000.
16.1       (j) Camp Bliss. $75,000 each year is for a 
16.2       grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc. for 
16.3       expenses related to retreats for veterans at 
16.4       Camp Bliss in Walker, Minnesota, including 
16.5       therapy, transportation, and activities 
16.6       customized for veterans.
16.7       (k) Veterans On The Lake. $50,000 $500,000in the 
16.8       first year is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake 
16.9       for expenses related to retreats for veterans, 
16.10     including therapy, transportation, and activities 
16.11     customized for veterans.
16.12     (l) Veterans Resilience Project. $400,000  $40,000
16.13     each year is for a grant to the veterans 
16.14     resilience project. Grant funds must be used 
16.15     to make eye movement desensitization and 
16.16     reprocessing therapy available to veterans and 
16.17     current military service members who are 
16.18     suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder 
16.19     and trauma. The base for this appropriation in 
16.20     fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is 
16.21     $200,000.
16.22     The veterans resilience project must report to 
16.23     the commissioner of veterans affairs and the 
16.24     chairs and ranking minority members of the 
16.25     legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
16.26     veterans affairs policy and finance by January 
16.27     15 of each year on the program. The report 
16.28     must include an overview of the program's 
16.29     budget, a detailed explanation of program 
16.30     expenditures, the number of veterans and 
16.31     service members served by the program, and 
16.32     a list and explanation of the services provided 
16.33     to program participants.
16.34     (m) 9/11 Task Force. $500,000 the first year 
16.35     is for the Advisory Task Force on 9/11 and 
17.1       Global War on Terrorism Remembrance. The 
17.2       task force must collect, memorialize, and 
17.3       publish stories of Minnesotans' service in the 
17.4       Global War on Terrorism and impacts on their 
17.5       dependents. The task force must host a 
17.6       remembrance program in September 2021. 
17.7       This is a onetime appropriation.

17.8       EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.