as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/14/2017 09:07am
A bill for an act
relating to the military; establishing a service member and veteran service center
pilot grant program; authorizing use of Support Our Troops account funds;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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A service member and veteran service center pilot grant
program is established to be administered by the commissioner of veterans affairs. The
program consists of grant awards to nonprofits that serve service members, veterans, and
their families to enable a nonprofit service member and veteran service center to enhance
the effectiveness of its services.
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(a) To be eligible for a grant under subdivision 4, a service member
and veteran service center must, at a minimum:
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(1) provide space where service members, veterans, and their families are able to gather;
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(2) assist service members, veterans, and their families with finding local, state, and
federal resources;
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(3) assist service members, veterans, and their families in connecting with services,
resources, and advocacy in the areas of law, education, employment, housing, health, and
wellness;
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(4) utilize public and private partnerships to share resources and increase innovation to
effectively assist service members, veterans, and their families; and
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(5) be a nonprofit corporation as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
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(b) Any grant awarded under this section to a service member and veterans service center
requires a 50 percent match from nonstate sources.
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(a) The commissioner shall determine the process for awarding
grants. A grant may be used only for the purpose of enhancing the operations of or renovating
the facility of a service member and veteran service center.
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(b) The commissioner must give preference to service member and veterans service
centers that:
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(1) demonstrate meaningful collaboration with other organizations that enhance the
services offered by the service center; and
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(2) are located outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision
2.
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A service member and veteran service center is eligible to
receive a onetime grant of $....... under this section.
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In fiscal year 2018, the commissioner of veterans affairs shall use $500,000 from the
Support Our Troops account in the special revenue fund under Minnesota Statutes, section
190.19, for the service member and veteran service center pilot grant program under section
1. The grant money is available until expended.
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