PENNINGTON – While funding Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, helped deliver to build three new veterans homes in Minnesota has received much attention, two other veterans-related bills he authored are now in effect with Aug. 1 start dates.
One new law (H.F. 368) prohibits agreements with a military beneficiary that assigns the beneficiary’s military pay or benefits to someone else. Bliss said this is an effort to crack down on unscrupulous lenders by providing recourse at the state level.
A similar provision already existed in federal law but was absent from Minnesota statute, creating challenges in prosecution. The new state law allows the affected military beneficiary — a current or former military member, their spouse or any other beneficiary — to bring a cause of action to recover damages.
“This closes a gap by giving the state some recourse to prosecute shady people who prey on military pensions,” Bliss said. “The testimony we heard from victims of these predatory lenders underscored the importance of putting this new law in place and I am proud we were able to get it done.”
Another new law from Bliss (H.F. 3477) allows local governments to designate themselves as a “Purple Heart City” or a “Purple Heart County.” Local governments now are able to honor Purple Heart recipients by designating a prominent parking space at government centers, and allow those local jurisdictions to accept donations to pay for a sign stating they are a Purple Heart city or county.
“This might not be a life changer, but it’s just one more way we can honor those who have given so much,” Bliss said. “It’s a gesture, a courtesy that can be extended to show our appreciation.”
In addition to shepherding these laws into place, Bliss also was instrumental this year in bringing to fruition capital investment funding to help build three new veterans homes in Minnesota – including $12.5 million for a facility in Bemidji. Federal dollars and private contributions also are in the equation.
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