With overwhelming bipartisan support, the Minnesota Senate today passed legislation that makes critical investments into veteran services across the state. This bill includes provisions that provide post-service resources, expand housing options, and fund enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses. The sole focus of this bill is to meet the needs of Veterans across Minnesota.

“Minnesota must continue to recognize our vets’ sacrifices for our country,” Senator Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) said. “The legislation passed today continues to honor Minnesota veterans across generations.“

Notably, this bill includes funding for upgrades and completion of the three new Veterans’ Homes across the state. Last year, homes in Bemidji, Preston, and Montevideo secured the federal funding necessary to complete construction. Funding in this bill serves as the final capstone to make these homes operational by providing upgrades and improvements to strengthen the structures, medical equipment, and internal fixtures needed to make the homes operational. 

To compete with the modern workforce, the bill also provides necessary funding for an enlistment and re-enlistment bonus program, which will serve as an incentive for retaining and recruiting servicemembers.

Minnesota has historically provided bonuses to service members that have served during global conflicts. With the End of the Global War on Terror in 2021, the Senate continues that tradition by allocating $24 million for post-war bonuses to Minnesota Veterans that served after September 11, 2001.