Veterans

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 12, 2025

HF 2232: State contracts provisions changed.

HF 2232 changes Minnesota's state contract rules to protect the state from unfair terms and support small businesses. The bill bans contract clauses requiring the state to pay for others' mistakes, allowing contractors to unilaterally change terms, or mandating arbitration. It also creates new opportunities: small businesses in economically disadvantaged areas and veteran-owned small businesses can receive up to a 12% preference in state contracts, and the state can award contracts directly to small businesses without competitive bidding up to $100,000. Additionally, prime contractors must subcontract portions of contracts to small businesses, with financial incentives for meeting goals and penalties for failing to do so.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides 12% contract preference for veteran-owned small businesses, directly supporting their economic opportunities in state contracting.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SF 2038: Metropolitan Council small business programs application expansion and direct negotiation of certain contracts authorization provision

SF 2038 expands opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities or veterans under Metropolitan Council contracts. It allows the Council to directly negotiate contracts (without competitive bidding) for projects under $161,320, and authorizes a 6% bid preference for qualifying small businesses. The bill also requires prime contractors to subcontract at least 75% of work to these businesses and sets payment deadlines with interest penalties for late payments to subcontractors. This directly affects the Metropolitan Council’s procurement of construction, goods, and services, and benefits small targeted group and veteran-owned businesses designated under Minnesota law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly grants 6% bid preference and subcontracting requirements for veteran-owned small businesses, directly supporting veteran employment opportunities in contracting.95% confidence

Tags Small Business

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 1184: State veterans cemetery burial fee removed for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans, and money appropriated.

HF 1184 removes burial fees at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 190.19 (subd. 2a) and 197.236 (subd. 9) to eliminate the fee schedule for these individuals and direct funds from the "Support Our Troops" account to cover uncompensated burial costs. It appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these costs, replacing the previous waiver process for indigent applicants. This policy change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial at state cemeteries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds from 'Support Our Troops' account to cover veteran burial costs, eliminating fees for spouses/dependents and ensuring program funding without new taxes or defunding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves burial fees for veterans' spouses/dependents and funds coverage via 'Support Our Troops' account, directly expanding benefits and eliminating financial barriers for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SF 255: Property tax exemption establishment for certain property owned and operated by a congressionally chartered veterans service organization

SF 255 creates a property tax exemption for specific properties owned and operated by federally chartered veterans service organizations in Minnesota. The bill amends tax laws to exempt qualifying property under a new classification (section 272.02, subdivision 106), directly affecting these veterans organizations by removing property tax liability on their qualifying facilities. Key mechanisms include requiring the commissioner of veterans affairs to annually provide a list of eligible organizations to the commissioner of revenue by January 1, and the exemption taking effect for the 2025 tax assessment year. This policy change specifically modifies tax classification rules without altering existing rates or creating new tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax exemption for veterans service organizations, providing tax relief and reducing tax liability under specific qualifying conditions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans service organizations from property taxes, reducing operational costs and strengthening their capacity to provide veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SF 2397: Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat grant appropriation

This bill appropriates $1 million from the environment and natural resources trust fund for a one-time grant to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds will support planning, building, and equipping a new shooting range and retreat facility specifically designed to accommodate disabled veterans and individuals with disabilities. The grant is available until the project is completed or abandoned, with no ongoing annual funding required. This directly affects the nonprofit organization and its ability to serve disabled veterans and people with disabilities through improved accessibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1M from trust fund for one-time grant to fund disabled veterans' facility, directly aligning with 'funds essential programs' under budget & taxes.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill appropriates $1M for a facility specifically designed for disabled veterans, directly funding veteran services and recreational access as described in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SF 1159: Veterans and surviving spouses taxable Social Security benefits full subtraction provision

This bill, SF 1159, changes Minnesota's state income tax law to allow veterans and surviving spouses of veterans to fully subtract their taxable Social Security benefits from their state taxable income. Currently, most taxpayers face income-based phaseouts that reduce this subtraction; this bill removes that limitation specifically for veterans and surviving spouses. It directly affects eligible veterans and surviving spouses who receive Social Security benefits and file Minnesota state income tax returns. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, and eliminates the income thresholds that previously reduced the subtraction amount for this group.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for veterans by allowing full subtraction of Social Security benefits from taxable income, directly modifying tax law to reduce tax burden.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill removes income-based phaseouts for veterans/surviving spouses, enabling full subtraction of Social Security benefits from state taxable income, directly expanding tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Veteran Benefits

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 1, 2025

HF 2952: United Heroes League grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 2952 appropriates $1,000,000 from Minnesota's general fund for a grant to the United Heroes League, a nonprofit organization in Hastings. The funds must be used for capital improvements at the League's Hastings campus to directly benefit current service members, veterans, and their dependents. The grant requires the League to report to the legislature by January 15, 2027, detailing how the money was spent, including administrative costs. This bill establishes a specific funding mechanism for a nonprofit's facility upgrades with a required accountability report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for veteran services grant, directly funding a public program under Budget & Taxes appropriations.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAppropriates $1,000,000 for capital improvements at Veterans League campus directly benefiting veterans and dependents, with reporting requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 29, 2025

HF 1689: Magnus Veterans Wellness Clinic capital improvements funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1689 appropriates $900,000 from the general fund for capital improvements at the Magnus Veterans Wellness Clinic in Dayton, Minnesota. The funding covers design, construction, renovation, equipment, and energy efficiency upgrades to reconfigure space, replace HVAC/plumbing/electrical systems, and support ongoing operations. This one-time appropriation directly affects the clinic's physical infrastructure and the veterans who use its services. The bill does not create new programs or alter eligibility but provides specific funding for facility upgrades.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly allocates funds for energy efficiency upgrades to HVAC/plumbing/electrical systems at veterans clinic, advancing energy efficiency standards.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds capital improvements for veterans' healthcare clinic infrastructure, directly enhancing service delivery and operations per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill appropriates $900,000 for capital improvements at Magnus Veterans Wellness Clinic, directly funding infrastructure upgrades to enhance veterans' healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Primary Care Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 3260: Property tax market value exclusion for veterans with a disability modification; exclusion amounts increase annually with inflation authorization; surviving spouses benefit modification

This bill modifies Minnesota's property tax exclusion for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It increases the exclusion amount to $300,000 for veterans with 100% permanent disability (up from $150,000) and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments starting in 2027, using the Bureau of Economic Analysis deflator. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans or service members who died in active duty can now retain the full $300,000 exclusion indefinitely - until remarriage, sale, or transfer of the property - without needing reapplication. The changes directly affect veterans with 70%+ disability, their primary family caregivers, and surviving spouses of veterans or service members who died in service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exclusion for veterans with disabilities, providing targeted tax relief and modifying tax policy to reduce taxable value.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax exclusion for disabled veterans from $150k to $300k with inflation adjustments and extends full benefit to surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 5, 2025

HF 1004: Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program funding provided, and money appropriated.

This bill appropriates $238,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $238,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to support the Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program. The funds will help Building Strong Communities connect National Guard members, military reservists, active duty personnel, and veterans to construction industry apprenticeships and career training through the Department of Labor and Industry. The program must not discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, religion, or gender. It directly affects military-connected individuals seeking careers in building and construction trades.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $476,000 total for workforce program, increasing state budget allocation for labor initiative.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates $238k for veterans' construction apprenticeships via workforce program, directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development under Labor & Employment.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds Minnesota Helmets to Hardhats program connecting veterans to construction apprenticeships via workforce development fund, directly supporting veteran employment transition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

Track