HF 532

02/06/25   REVISOR  BD/LJ  25-03331
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request  State of Minnesota
  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
  H. F. No.   532
02/13/2025     Authored by Bliss and Clardy
  The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Veterans and Military Affairs Division
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to military veterans; appropriating money for veteran retreats.
1.3BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.4Section 1. APPROPRIATION; CAMP BLISS.
1.5Subdivision 1. Grant program; eligibility; reimbursement requirements. (a) The
1.6commissioner of veterans affairs shall issue a grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc., for
1.7expenses related to retreats for eligible veterans and their family members at Camp Bliss
1.8in Walker.
1.9(b) The grant recipient may use grant money to:
1.10(1) provide therapy, transportation, and activities customized for eligible veterans and
1.11their family members; and
1.12(2) perform general maintenance of the camp.
1.13(c) The commissioner must reimburse the grant recipient at least $850 for each eligible
1.14veteran or family member who the commissioner verifies attended the camp and received
1.15services from the grant recipient. The commissioner shall disburse money to the grant
1.16recipient for up to two visits per year to the camp for each eligible veteran or family member.
1.17Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
1.18meanings given.
1.19(b) "Eligible veteran" means a person who is either:
Section 1.  1
      02/06/25   REVISOR  BD/LJ  25-03331
2.1     (1) a former armed forces service member who has a DD-214 or other official document
2.2 from the official military personnel file of the veteran that describes the honorable service
2.3 of the veteran; or
2.4     (2) a current armed forces member, whether serving in the active or reserve component.
2.5     (c) "Family member" means an eligible veteran's spouse, domestic partner, or child.
2.6     Subd. 3. Appropriation. $150,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 in fiscal year 2027
2.7 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs for the grant
2.8 described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a). This amount shall be added to the agency's base.
      Section 1.  2