Assembly Bill 597 proposes the establishment of a state matching grant program aimed at supporting organizations that provide services to homeless veterans. This program will allow eligible entities, which are defined as those that have received federal per diem payments for the upcoming fiscal year, to apply for state matching grants. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs will be responsible for administering these grants, which will provide $25 per day for each veteran housed by the organization, with payments made quarterly based on the number of veterans housed in the previous quarter.

The bill outlines the process for grant applications, stating that the Department will accept applications annually and will award grants in the order they are received. The funding for this program will come from a specific appropriation, ensuring that eligible entities can receive financial support for up to 365 days per year for each veteran they house. This initiative aims to enhance the resources available to organizations serving homeless veterans, thereby improving their capacity to provide essential services.