Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SF 3635: Former members of the National Guard or reservists benefits eligibility expansion provision

This bill expands Minnesota's state veteran benefits to include former National Guard members and reservists who meet specific criteria. It defines an "eligible veteran" as someone residing in Minnesota who served honorably during a time of hostilities in the National Guard or U.S. reserve forces, completed their military service obligation, and received an honorable discharge. Eligible individuals would gain access to existing state benefits such as grave markers, honor guards, state cemetery burial, job preference in government hiring, and streamlined license renewals. The bill does not create new benefits but extends eligibility for current state programs to this group of veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands state veteran benefits to include former National Guard/reservists with honorable discharge, granting access to existing services like grave markers and cemeteries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits

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signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 3467: Commissioner of veterans affairs allowed to direct agency resources to veterans' initiatives, and reports required.

HF 3467 allows Minnesota's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to redirect agency resources toward specific veterans' initiatives, including addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention. The bill requires the commissioner to submit an annual report by October 15 to the governor and relevant legislative committees, detailing resources used and the critical issues supported in the previous year. This legislation directly affects veterans by enabling targeted support for urgent needs through state agency resources. It creates a formal mechanism for tracking how funds and resources are allocated to veterans' programs. The bill is currently in its initial legislative stage, having been introduced on February 19, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly addresses veterans' homelessness as a key initiative, directly linking resource allocation to housing needs under housing-related subjects.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enables targeted resource allocation for veterans' critical needs (homelessness, mental health, food insecurity) via commissioner authority, directly advancing support through funding and reporting requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

died · Minnesota · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SF 3957: Educational assistance for veterans' children and spouses modification

SF 3957 modifies Minnesota's educational assistance program for children and spouses of veterans. It provides an annual $750 stipend for eligible children and spouses of deceased veterans (or veterans who were prisoners of war/missing in action), replacing a previous single payment. To qualify, recipients must be Minnesota residents enrolled in a public Minnesota institution of higher education, making satisfactory academic progress, and not yet holding a bachelor's degree. The bill updates eligibility definitions and repeals an outdated section of law, focusing specifically on children and surviving spouses rather than veterans themselves.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides annual $750 stipend for veterans' dependents in public MN higher education, increasing financial access to postsecondary education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides annual $750 stipend for veterans' dependents' education, replacing single payment and expanding ongoing financial support for eligible beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Minnesota · House May 4, 2026

HF 3685: High school diploma established for armed forces veterans.

HF 3685 creates a new high school diploma option for Minnesota veterans who did not complete high school before joining the military. It allows the state education commissioner to award a standard diploma based on military service experience to veterans who: (1) served in the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, or left school before graduation to join active duty; (2) are Minnesota residents or former residents with an honorable discharge; and (3) apply through a joint process with the Education and Veterans Affairs departments. The bill directly affects veterans who left school early for military service but have not earned a high school diploma. It establishes concrete eligibility criteria and an application pathway without altering existing diploma requirements for other students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new diploma pathway for veterans, expanding educational access for a specific group within K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates diploma option for veterans who left school for military service, directly recognizing their service through education benefits and expanding access to a standard diploma.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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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

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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

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 1350: Veterans service office grant program modified, and money appropriated.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $60,000 annually to fund county veterans service offices, increasing government spending on veteran services per program requirements.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases county veterans service office funding via population-based grants and appropriates $60k annually for veterans' programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SF 615: Veterans with a disability property market value property tax exclusion modification

This bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) and permanent disability. The change directly affects qualifying veterans, their surviving spouses (if the veteran dies before applying), and primary family caregivers who live in the veteran's home. The key provision modifies Minnesota Statutes section 273.13 to provide higher tax savings on the primary home's value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exclusions for veterans with disabilities, providing direct tax relief to qualifying individuals and families through higher market value thresholds.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax exclusion for disabled veterans, expanding financial relief from $150k/$300k to $200k/$400k for qualifying veterans and caregivers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SF 185: Homestead market value exclusion amounts to veterans with a disability modification

SF 185 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the homestead market value exclusion from $150,000 to $250,000 for veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating, and from $300,000 to $450,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. The bill also allows surviving spouses of qualifying veterans to continue receiving the higher exclusion amount ($450,000) if they reside in the home and meet specific conditions. Primary family caregivers approved by the VA may also qualify for the exclusion on the veteran's homestead. This policy directly affects veterans, their spouses, and designated caregivers who own qualifying property in Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exclusions for veterans with disabilities, reducing their tax burden through higher homestead value thresholds.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for veterans with disabilities by raising exclusion amounts, directly expanding financial benefits for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SF 1706: Human services data and veterans data provisions modifications

This bill modifies data access rules to help veterans verify eligibility for specific programs. It allows the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to electronically access the Human Services Department's MAXIS database to confirm eligibility for the State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, and SSI/SSDI Outreach program. The change ensures veterans can be connected to all available state and federal resources they qualify for. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility criteria, only streamlining verification between agencies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransModifies data access to streamline veterans' eligibility verification for existing programs, ensuring access to all qualifying benefits without altering benefit amounts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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