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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SF 586 appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs. The funds are designated for grants to Veterans on the Lake to cover expenses related to veteran retreats, including therapy, transportation, and customized activities. This bill directly affects veterans participating in these retreats by providing funding for support services through the Veterans on the Lake organization. The legislation is a funding measure with no substantive policy changes beyond the specified appropriations.
SF 2183 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's general fund for fiscal year 2026 to create a Black veterans support program. The bill directs the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to award a grant to an organization to develop and run a comprehensive program specifically for Black veterans in Minnesota. Key provisions include $1.5 million for mental health services, $1 million for job training and employment support, $700,000 for homeownership assistance, $500,000 for educational support, and $1 million for administration. This one-time funding establishes a targeted support system addressing mental health, employment, healthcare access, financial literacy, and housing needs for Black veterans.
HF 3214 amends Minnesota law to exempt Purple Heart medal recipients from paying replacement fees for special license plates on their vehicles. This means veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal who hold designated plates displaying "COMBAT WOUNDED VET" and a Purple Heart emblem will not incur costs when replacing lost, stolen, or damaged plates. The bill updates existing statutes to explicitly include Purple Heart recipients in the category of veterans already exempt from such fees (previously applied to Medal of Honor and former POW plate holders). This change directly affects Purple Heart medal recipients who own vehicles registered with these special plates.
Minnesota Senate File 891 creates a property tax exemption for up to three acres of real property owned or leased by congressionally chartered veterans organizations that also operate as nonprofit community service organizations. The exemption applies if the property isn’t used residentially and either limits revenue-generating activities to six days yearly or requires annual charitable contributions equal to prior year’s property taxes. Property owners leasing to these organizations must apply by May 1 each year, and organizations must document charitable giving or host free community events. The exemption begins for 2026 property taxes and requires recordkeeping for assessors to verify eligibility.
HF 1350 modifies Minnesota's county veterans service office grant program by increasing funding based on each county's veteran population. Counties receive a base $7,500 grant plus supplemental amounts up to $20,000 depending on veteran population size (e.g., $10,000 for counties with 10,000-20,000 veterans). The bill appropriates $60,000 annually for fiscal years 2026-2027 to the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers, allocating $20,000 each for specialized coordinators focused on women veterans, suicide prevention, and justice-involved veterans. These funds support training, administrative costs, and technical assistance to enhance veteran services statewide. The bill directly affects counties with veterans service offices and the statewide association.
