SF1782

Purpose

Provide funding to support activities for veterans by supporting Fishing with Vets, a nonprofit organization, to organize and conduct guided fishing trips for Minnesota veterans.

Main provisions

• Appropriation of funds:
  • $25,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026.
  • $25,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2027.
  • These funds are to be given as a grant from the commissioner of veterans affairs to Fishing with Vets (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit).
• Use of funds:
  • The grant is to be used to organize and conduct guided fishing trips for veterans across Minnesota.
• Reporting requirements:
  • By January 15 each year, the commissioner of veterans affairs must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans about how the grant money was used, including any amount used for grant administration.
  • The report must be filed with the Legislative Reference Library in compliance with Minnesota Statutes section 3.195.
• Conditions of the grant:
  • Fishing with Vets must provide the commissioner with any information needed to complete the annual report.

Significant changes to existing law

• Creates a new funding mechanism and annual grant to Fishing with Vets from the general fund.
• Adds an annual reporting requirement to track how the grant money is used and to ensure transparency, including administration costs.
• Establishes a formal data-sharing condition for the nonprofit as a prerequisite to receiving the grant.

Oversight and compliance

• The commissioner of veterans affairs oversees the grant and is responsible for collecting information for the annual report.
• The reporting process connects to legislative oversight by specific veteran-related committees and the Legislative Reference Library.

Relevant Terms - Fishing with Vets - grant - general fund - commissioner of veterans affairs - 501(c)(3) nonprofit - guided fishing trips - veterans - Minnesota - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - reporting - Legislative Reference Library - Minnesota Statutes section 3.195 - grant administration - condition of receiving grant