Military and Veterans Enactments by the 2006 Minnesota Legislature

The following is a list of Minnesota Military and Veteran's initiatives passed into law in 2006:

Policy

1. Military Policy Statement acknowledging a need for a strong military in both peacetime and war.

Appropriations

1. $2,000,000 for the State Soldiers Assistance Programs.

2. $100,000 to create a one-stop website and internet support service for veterans programs.

3. $200,000 for service enhancement grants for County Veteran's Service Officers.

4. $80,000 for veterans services by VFW, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. This is a one time appropriation.

5. $500,000 to establish an outreach and assistance initiative for underserved veterans.

6. Veteran's Home Board supplemental funding of $2,448,000 in FY 2006 and $3,790,000 FY 2007 for a total of $6,238,000.

7. Bonding of $12,090,000 for the Veteran's Home Board and $7,579,000 for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Education

1. Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program established. Appropriating $600,000. Funding for the program is directed to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

 2. Education credit transfer for military training and education.

3. In-state tuition rates for non-resident soldiers and veterans.

4. Delayed tuition payments for veterans in college awaiting federal GI benefits.

5. Medical student/citizen soldier given more time to take medical exams when mobilized into active service.

Employment

1. Salary differential-Broadening eligibility for Uniformed Services.

2. Family leave if soldier wounded or killed in action (up to 10 days; all public and private employers).

3. Family leave to attend military ceremonies (up to 1 day per year).

4. Mirroring federal job protections in state statute.

5. Professional/occupational licensing and certification during mobilization. This provision clarifies a 50 year old statute that protects the existing occupational/professional licensure/certification of Minnesotans who are employed in key national defense jobs and deployed overseas during time of war or national emergency.

6. Veteran's Preference for basic sliding fee child care.

Tax Credit

1. Active Military Income Tax Credit. Provides a refundable income tax credit of $59.00 per month for Minnesota residents who serve, or have served, in a designated combat zone since September 11, 2001.

Additional

1. State park entrance-exemption from daily fee when home on leave.

2. Memorial plaques, War Dogs, and Medal of Honor Recipients.

3. Funeral protest protection bill.

4. Bonding for $150,000 for Hmong statue in the Court of Honor in the Capitol Mall.

Veteran Service Officers watch as the Governor signs the Military and Veterans

Enactments by the 2006 Minnesota Legislature.

From left to right behind the Governor- Todd Kubinski, Scott County Veteran Service Officer,

Steve Stone, Pennington County Veteran Service Officer, Kathy Bergquist, Secretary

Chippewa County Veteran Service Office, Dennis Anderson, Chippewa County Veteran Service Officer,

Clark Dyrud, Commissioner, MN Department of Veterans Affairs.

Military Affairs was on hand to witness the Governor's signature.

Legislators and members of Veterans Service Organizations were also present for the

bill signing event.