Veterans (Veteran Education) in Minnesota

died · Minnesota · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 4072: Certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits do not qualify for state-funded benefits, services, or programs provision; environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans discontinuance provision

SF 4072 changes Minnesota's veteran benefits eligibility and ends a specific program. It states that veterans who have forfeited federal benefits (per U.S. Code Title 38) do not qualify for Minnesota's state-funded benefits, services, or programs. The bill also discontinues the Environmental Hazards Information and Assistance Program, which provided veterans with health information related to exposures like Agent Orange, referrals to federal programs, and support for disability claims. This is achieved by repealing existing statutes (196.19-196.26 and 197.225) that governed the program and establishing the new eligibility rule. The change directly affects veterans who lost federal benefits and ends state support for environmental hazard-related veteran services.

Topics ✗ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 3540: Protection for veterans provided in the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

HF 3540 amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to explicitly protect veterans from discrimination. It adds "veteran or military status" to the list of protected characteristics in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education. The bill defines "veteran or military status" to include active/reserve military members and veterans as defined in federal law. This means employers, housing providers, and public services cannot discriminate against individuals based on their military service or veteran status. The change makes existing anti-discrimination protections apply to veterans in all covered areas of Minnesota law.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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 ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

died · Minnesota · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SF 4056: Minnesota Human Rights Act to provide protection for veterans

SF 4056 amends Minnesota's Human Rights Act to add "veteran or military status" as a protected class under state anti-discrimination law. This means veterans and active-duty military personnel in Minnesota are now explicitly protected from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education. The bill defines "veteran or military status" using the federal standard from U.S. Code Title 38. It directly affects veterans and military personnel by expanding existing protections previously not specifically included in Minnesota's law.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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 ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

died · Minnesota · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 3956: Commissioner of veterans affairs permission to direct agency resources to veterans' initiatives

SF 3956 allows Minnesota's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to direct available agency resources toward specific veterans' initiatives, including addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention. The bill directly affects veterans by enabling targeted support for these critical issues through state agency funding. Key provisions require the commissioner to annually report by October 15 to the governor and relevant legislative committees, detailing resources used and the specific initiatives supported in the previous year. This creates a formal mechanism for prioritizing veterans' needs while ensuring transparency in how state resources are allocated.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SF 1074: Education benefit establishment for dependents of disabled veterans

This bill establishes education benefits for dependents of disabled veterans in Minnesota. It provides tuition, fee, and book coverage at state-operated colleges or University of Minnesota institutions for dependent children of veterans with a 100% permanent disability or a 70%+ disability rating. The benefit covers 100% of costs (after subtracting other aid) for the highest disability tier and 50% for the 70%+ tier. Payments are processed through the Office of Higher Education upon institution verification of student eligibility and enrollment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 21, 2025

SF 395: Special veterans' license plates creation for each branch of the armed forces

Minnesota Senate File 395 creates special veterans' license plates for each branch of the U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine). It allows eligible veterans who do not qualify for existing veteran plates to obtain free plates displaying "VETERAN" and their branch's emblem, provided they pay standard registration fees and meet ownership criteria for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, or specific trucks. The plates must be designed in consultation with veterans' organizations and can be transferred to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same person. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SF 1526: All-terrain vehicle registration fee elimination for veterans with a total service-connected disability provision

This bill eliminates all-terrain vehicle (ATV) registration fees for Minnesota veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Specifically, it exempts these veterans from the $60 public-use or $6 private-use registration fees under Minnesota Statutes §84.922, providing a three-year free registration. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or military retirement board. The exemption directly affects eligible veterans, not all ATV owners or general veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 21, 2025

SF 388: State veterans cemetery burial fee removal for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans

SF 388 removes burial fees for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 197.236, subdivision 9, to prohibit charging any fees for these groups' interment, replacing the previous fee schedule and waiver process. It appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these uncompensated burial costs. This directly affects spouses and dependent children of veterans meeting eligibility criteria under U.S. Code, title 38, section 101(2). The policy change eliminates a cost barrier for families of veterans, ensuring no burial fees apply to these specific groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills