This week the Senate unveiled the Veterans and Military Affairs omnibus finance bill. The bill was approved by Sen. Bruce Anderson’s committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance committee where it was merged with the State Government Finance bill. The Finance committee approved the bill. It now awaits a vote on the floor of the Senate.

The bill, SF 605 contains several provisions that MDVA requested including funding for agency operation for both the Programs and Services division as well as the Minnesota Veterans Homes. There is also agency funding for the new state Veterans cemetery in Duluth.

SF 605 contains funding for three one-time appropriations using the Support Our Troops fund. $50,000 is used from the SOT fund to pay for the AMPERS Veterans Voices programming to produce stories about Korean War Veterans. $175,000 is used from the SOT fund to pay for the Veterans Defense Project to support Veterans who are involved with the criminal justice system through education, outreach and legal assistance. Finally, $175,000 is used from the SOT fund to pay for the Veterans Journey Home project. This project will use the money to support the development of new or rehabbed affordable housing dedicated for low to moderate income Veterans and their families.

Finally, the bill authorizes using the Support Our Troops fund to help offset the costs for uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents who receive a no-fee or reduced-fee burial in a state Veterans cemetery.

The House is expected to release their counterpart to this bill on Sunday (March 26). The State Government Finance committee is scheduled to give the bill a hearing on at Monday and Tuesday. See the House schedule for information.

New Law
This week, Governor Dayton signed HF 375 which allow counties to build Veterans memorials anywhere in the county. Previously, counties were only allowed to build these memorials in the county seat.