[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6664366,"mediaKeyId","2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a","parentId",2381974,"title","Senate File 1704 would raise armory commission bonding cap to cover rising construction costs","audioSeconds",275,"startMs",2445000,"endMs",2720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a&start=2445&end=2720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a/thumbnail_2445000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664366/Minnesota/Senate-File-1704-would-raise-armory-commission-bonding-cap-to-cover-rising-construction-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664366-4e01ed8d2d0d54eb91f4933385260c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1778787038&Signature=H-t26PRRm5kmpnC45zh~qNJama~KPnQoNYCXfCfI89W7Nh6kpsNaK1djTBAzfK3FnR4jotHPPWpHH~XQxxKTym9~6fxuKsh1gsGkKlUSNt1rpZE6Gr0QpiGBoL4vUGPyZx9qWWNcyyyXOvG8eBcTkhzRfiCwznBrXRH4xLPT2yBZM0AdukmbliwJTbqTSuxrbfJwbuBMrRoiyPcREvJvDc12~rS~zAp-MWtUQ7zMrnV6PQHtAJnb46KyXQyWwHFn8xc3t440rfbAlUmMHD9JScJksXtJsVYbhnErF9X4pjUOupCoc-0gJtxmIkKTF04fJu2dslo~FJkAJXCPSlFHWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-24T21:51:35.947Z","article","Senator Putnam introduced Senate File 1704 on Feb. 24, asking the subcommittee to increase the Minnesota State Armory Building Commission's maximum bonded indebtedness from $15 million to $45 million to reflect higher construction costs.

Major General Sean Manky, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, testified that the department currently has debt on the Armory Bonding Commission Fund of about $45.1 million and about $9.9 million of remaining capacity under the current cap. He and Don Kerr, executive director of the Department of Military Affairs, said the increased authority would allow the state to meet required state match on new readiness centers without rendering projects ineligible for federal funds because of insufficient state bonding capacity.

Manky provided comparative per‑square‑foot figures from past projects to illustrate rising construction costs: the Arden Hills readiness center (built in 2013) cost about $267 per square foot; a more recent readiness center in New Ulm is costing roughly $438 per square foot. He said estimates for a potential Anoka readiness center indicate much higher future construction costs and that the current $15 million cap would not be sufficient to complete that project or to secure federal funding eligibility.

Kerr added that in prior projects the department was able to avoid state funding by qualifying for 100% federal funding under specific rules, but those opportunities have largely been exhausted; he said increasing the bonding authority is necessary to continue construction plans.

The committee laid Senate File 1704 over for possible inclusion; no roll-call vote was recorded.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 02/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 1704 would raise the Minnesota State Armory Building Commission's bonding cap from $15 million to $45 million to address rising construction costs and preserve eligibility for federal funds on new readiness centers.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664371,"Senate File 1705 aligns Minnesota burial rules with federal eligibility for state veterans cemeteries",186,2210000,2396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a&start=2210&end=2396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","/articles/6664371/Minnesota/Senate-File-1705-aligns-Minnesota-burial-rules-with-federal-eligibility-for-state-veterans-cemeteries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664371-65fe9fcfecc29bc4702f5045573c058e/orig.mp4?Expires=1778787038&Signature=g-6KtQAG7loHYjhr0TpzJiB4BtQyfGUDHUGIuZ1OxLniTngjGZBtXiM90QhLSXt~e9OBqsh1hMdZBecLrVPvxiBFj87EwxjdZBPEqQJA~9q-DfzSXKrw1UI3IVpR2kWg3-9dqeKOZ8pSLhFrAdK1PY2~EraP7dKR7iwSALsHVfnVL2LufaA~~It2WA7LAFio36KacaWWtRQj3gGWAhHsPbGw-dfNhRPRQxt-YgfRU2ORVYj35MqKsPJs2FIxQtyidbnslVOEn3Z7UoHBllcB8uWT~zUbakLHGuv39y5zeO09uWVEOIWKjCaT8k1xDLHVWRl94B28f0UUJ-cl3eSOVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Kupak told the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Feb. 24 that Senate File 1705 is a technical bill intended to align Minnesota statutory language with federal eligibility criteria for burial in state veterans cemeteries.

John Kelly, director of government affairs for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, said the memorial affairs division requested the change to correct statutory cross-references so state law clearly reflects longstanding administrative practice that spouses and dependents are eligible for burial. Kelly told the committee the change is intended to avoid ambiguity that could jeopardize federal cemetery grants and to reflect current administrative practice.

No committee vote was recorded; the subcommittee laid Senate File 1705 over for possible inclusion.

","Senate File 1705, carried by Senator Kupak, makes technical corrections to Minnesota statute so state law references the correct federal code and removes ambiguity about burial eligibility for veterans, spouses and dependents. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664376,"Senate File 1706 amended to give MDVA read-only access to Maxis for veteran housing verification",280,1994000,2274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a&start=1994&end=2274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a/thumbnail_1994000.jpg","/articles/6664376/Minnesota/Senate-File-1706-amended-to-give-MDVA-read-only-access-to-Maxis-for-veteran-housing-verification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664376-0974a1c82ce9d603ffd62246c5299443/orig.mp4?Expires=1778787038&Signature=WaFir2f4GNcndJ3SCqgCIp~pBzMNpidtmmVW4Pad3KAvDxCm8RIcPgM8H-3lNpwL5NgYm-rUSOHMFzN5z-rtxH5459zZz1rFyai7l9CwVQbjsDSdD3r6B8g2-yQ68FpKgeAYlAidWCWEOLAzUfv7pUNpzd6gCnPCzqFSbfJQLpQ3G8UXUFB4Axj8KmUYe7~uG7vCxqI1Sji~aLyR9ZTvYeJr-DG4BpAaAfTykXulPbU-DmUr4MV3x4FStHfgvAC2z0SCE3Vo8zs7nrzfoFgb7SpEvUnmk27KeBe1jbq6FnfX48w8oK8RUKDWDEPuL~kqeqgdGwA3ovyeXwm91aC36g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Kupak introduced Senate File 1706 on Feb. 24 as a technical change to give Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs staff supporting the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative read-only access to the Department of Children, Youth and Families' Maxis database.

The amendment A2, described by Senator Kupak and offered as agreed technical wording between MDVA and DCYF, was moved and adopted without recorded roll-call. John Kelly, director of government affairs for MDVA, said the bill updates statutory references and clarifies read-only access so that MDVA staff can verify eligibility and help identify veterans who are not eligible for federal HUD-VASH programs.

Kelly told the committee the change affects Minnesota Statutes sections cited during testimony and that the update would help streamline verification, improve data collection for policy proposals and assist the medical team review process. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

","Senate File 1706, carried by Senator Kupak, would allow Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs staff working on the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative read-only access to the DCYF Maxis database to streamline eligibility verification. The committee adopted an A2 technical amendment and laid the bill over for possible inclusion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664380,"Minnesota veterans agency outlines suicide-prevention strategy and new health navigator program",1588,422000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a&start=422&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381974-e7e78e19392db15d1f7da70f7156ed1a/thumbnail_422000.jpg","/articles/6664380/Minnesota/Minnesota-veterans-agency-outlines-suicide-prevention-strategy-and-new-health-navigator-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664380-6b5cf063d30f979c1936ea1a1988947c/orig.mp4?Expires=1778787038&Signature=V14m3o9AIDDVPN4YcK-KGjzP5bosJ78dIOPuzkxPEyIDAzbI8z8QgY0otaqJJ4Vrksxg7PMgZDvkR4TPtTgGmi6oLW5MsC3ogrh2MdZrrbXHNFQYfVtjUOFfR8U1~uta2IqPOJQJ7D6Ky2aNoptuEn5-c2JftY2izNb9-2AlUKstWn0waOvo8BZgyB450OxXyiybDzvsmDTw0ZGAK9hd8B5VOjZnwPm-UMO11DJ~71LZaAFwHwEMjc90rtNXB8d1yVp~23kHxn2GquPlOErwoVSJxsT0zj1qz089gM9ZRaIvOi8Juxd3411R1m5k1ZO1F-6Pml~B8ahJ-my7vXy1-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rachel Johnson, director of Veteran Community-Based Services at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, told the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Feb. 24 that the department is organizing region-based work to address veteran suicide and launching a veteran health navigator program.

The department established the Veteran Community-Based Services team in June 2024 and is overseeing a veteran suicide prevention program and a veteran health navigator program that will hire three social workers (including a supervisor or manager). Johnson said the work includes training and education partnerships, data analysis, crisis-intercept mapping in Chippewa County, a suicide mortality review beginning in Northeast Minnesota and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and SAMHSA.

\"The reason why we do this work is that we wanna provide our lived experiences and connections and to serve our service members, our veterans, and their families throughout the state,\" Johnson said.

Johnson presented MDVA regional maps that show veterans as about 5% of the population and identified Northeast and Southwest Minnesota as regions with higher numbers of veteran suicide; Northwest Minnesota has seen decreases and will be studied to identify effective practices. She said preliminary 2023 data projected about 93 veteran deaths by suicide statewide and that about 97–98% of the decedents were male, with the largest share in the 55-and-older age group.

She said firearms remain the most common mechanism and that roughly 40% or more of veterans in some rural areas are not connected to VA health care benefits. The navigator program, funded through the Lee and Penny Anderson Foundation via Regions Hospital's Hero Care program, will coordinate non‑VA and VA benefit connections and aim to embed screening and referral workflows into health systems and electronic health records if grant funding is secured.

John Kelly, director of government affairs for MDVA, told the committee that the navigator program is an appropriation carried as a rider in the department's health care budget. \"We are the only state that has this community health navigator program for veterans,\" he said, describing the appropriation and the state's role in implementing the service.

Committee members asked about related issues such as domestic violence and substance abuse; Johnson said those concerns are being addressed under social determinants of health screening and that the department is vetting service providers to make sure referrals are reliable. She described planned outreach tied to the 988 crisis line, including materials for veteran clubs and a 988 awareness day in September, and said the department will coordinate with local partners such as county veteran service officers, the Minnesota National Guard, the VA, and community health systems.

No committee action was taken on the presentation itself; the discussion informed the subcommittee and committee members about MDVA plans and next steps including grant applications and regional mortality review work.

","The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs described region-based analysis, a new veteran health navigator service funded by the Lee and Penny Anderson Foundation, and collaborative projects—including a suicide mortality review and local crisis mapping—during the Senate veterans subcommittee hearing on Feb. 24, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate File 1704 would raise armory commission bonding cap to cover rising construction costs

Senate File 1705 aligns Minnesota burial rules with federal eligibility for state veterans cemeteries

Senate File 1706 amended to give MDVA read-only access to Maxis for veteran housing verification

Minnesota veterans agency outlines suicide-prevention strategy and new health navigator program