House Unanimously Passes Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill

(KNSI) — The Minnesota House unanimously passed the Veterans and Military Affairs omnibus bill on Tuesday.

The bill funds operations of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs while including initiatives to support Minnesota veterans.

Legislative Director for the Disabled American Veterans Trent Dilks told KNSI News passage means $367 million will go for the vets’ programs over the next two years. Dilks says that’s $118 million above base funding. “This is huge. We have never funded veteran suicide prevention and veteran homelessness. We’re making a real drive. The end is in sight when we can declare functional zero on veterans homelessness. It’s historic. Never before have veterans in Minnesota had a budget like this.”

It includes investments to help Minnesota reach “functional zero” for veterans’ homelessness by funding the homeless veterans’ registry and other tools to help veterans with housing assistance. The budget provides funding for the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum to supplement previously appropriated bonding money received to fully fund the project. The bill also includes funding for Honor Guards, the Minnesota GI Bill, the Gold Star Program, County Veterans Service Office, and programs to support veterans.

Last year, lawmakers created veteran’s service bonuses for those who served in the military following the 9/11 attacks. This budget expands eligibility for the bonuses to include veterans who live here now but were not Minnesota residents when they entered service. The bill also removes the state burial fee at state-operated veterans cemeteries for spouses and qualifying family members. There is currently no fee for veterans.

St. Cloud Representative Dan Wolgamott says this budget “ensures they receive the support they deserve” and said the legislation secures investments in support services, job training, and housing “to help veterans at each step as they transition from active service.”

The bill moved to the Senate and was recommended for passage.

___