Veterans

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SF 4172: State veterans cemeteries burial eligibility modifications

This bill modifies eligibility requirements for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to include honorably discharged National Guard and reserve component members along with their spouses and dependent children. It establishes a fee schedule for these new eligible groups that covers actual interment costs while allowing fee waivers for indigent applicants, while maintaining free burial for service members who die on active duty and other eligible veterans. The legislation also clarifies that cemeteries must operate solely for the burial of these specified groups and their families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands burial eligibility to National Guard and reserve members and their families, strengthening veteran benefits and recognition95% confidence

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

Track

passed · Minnesota · House May 5, 2026

HF 3919: Laos war; veterans benefits relating to the Secret War in Laos modified, veterans affairs commissioner directed to establish an eligibility process, technical changes made, appropriation canceled, and money appropriated.

This bill expands state veterans benefits to include Minnesota residents who served in the Secret War in Laos, specifically those who were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act or who served honorably with special guerrilla units or irregular forces in Laos between 1961 and 1975. The legislation directs the commissioner of veterans affairs to create an eligibility verification process and issue certificates of eligibility for these veterans, granting them access to benefits such as veteran designation on driver's licenses, civil service recruitment opportunities, employment preference, and burial fee waivers. The bill also allows the commissioner to establish a fee schedule for interment of eligible spouses and dependents of these veterans, with provisions for fee waivers for indigent applicants. Technical changes are made to existing statutes to incorporate these new definitions and benefits, with an effective date of July 2, 2025 for most provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to expand veterans benefits and establish an eligibility process, directly funding a government program.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands state veterans benefits to include Hmong veterans who served in Laos, establishes eligibility verification process, and appropriates funding for these benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Fees & Licensing Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 3544: Certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits made ineligible for state-funded benefits, services, or programs; and environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans discontinued.

HF 3544 changes eligibility for Minnesota veterans' state benefits and discontinues a specific program. It prohibits veterans or former military members who have forfeited federal benefits (per U.S. law) from receiving state-funded benefits, services, or programs. The bill also ends the environmental hazards information and assistance program, which provided veterans with health risk information related to chemical exposures like Agent Orange. This is accomplished by repealing specific statutes (196.19-196.26, 197.225) that previously established the program and its requirements. The law directly affects veterans who lost federal benefits and those who relied on the discontinued environmental hazards program.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRestricts state benefits for veterans forfeiting federal benefits and discontinues veterans' environmental health program, reducing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

in committee · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 3727: Market value exclusion modified for veterans with a disability by increasing exclusion amount for totally and permanently disabled veterans.

HF 3727 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising the market value exclusion amounts. Veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating now qualify for a $200,000 exclusion (up from $150,000), while those with a total and permanent 100% disability qualify for $400,000 (up from $300,000). The bill applies to veterans owning their primary residence ("homestead") in Minnesota, requiring certification of disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and honorable military discharge. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also inherit this tax benefit under specific conditions. This change directly reduces taxable value for eligible veterans’ primary homes, lowering their property tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exclusions for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for disabled veterans by raising exclusion amounts from $150k/$300k to $200k/$400k, directly strengthening financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SF 3673: Stillwater Veterans Memorial grant appropriation

This bill appropriates $350,000 from the state general fund for a one-time grant to the Stillwater Veterans Memorial. The funds will expand the veterans' memorial located in Stillwater Veterans Memorial Park within the city of Stillwater. The grant is designated for fiscal year 2027 and is specifically intended to support physical improvements to the memorial site. The bill is currently in its early legislative stage, having been introduced and referred to committee on February 19, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds $350k for veterans memorial expansion, directly supporting recognition and honoring veterans' service per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 17, 2026

HF 3391: Inscriptions of certain veteran special plates amended.

HF 3391 amends Minnesota's veteran special license plate inscriptions to update wording and add new categories. It requires plates to display specific inscriptions based on military service, such as "WOMAN VETERAN" for qualifying women veterans, corrected wording for Bronze Star and Silver Star recipients (e.g., "BRONZE STAR MERITORIOUS" or "SILVER STAR HEROISM"), and clarifies eligibility for National Guard members with certain medals. The bill directly affects Minnesota veterans who qualify for these specialized plates based on their service history or military awards. It takes effect October 1, 2026, for newly issued plates.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUpdates veteran plate inscriptions to accurately recognize service (e.g., 'WOMAN VETERAN', corrected medal names), directly supporting veteran recognition per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2026

HF 3471: Stillwater Veterans Memorial grant funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 3471 appropriates $350,000 from the general fund for a one-time grant to the Stillwater Veterans Memorial. The funds are designated to expand the veterans' memorial located in Stillwater Veterans Memorial Park in Stillwater, Minnesota. This appropriation is specifically for fiscal year 2027 and is intended to support the physical expansion of the memorial site. The bill directly affects the Stillwater Veterans Memorial organization and the park's development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $350k from general fund for memorial expansion, directly allocating state budget funds to fund a public infrastructure project per fiscal year 2027.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds $350k for Stillwater Veterans Memorial expansion, directly recognizing veterans' service through physical memorial development per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2026

HF 3472: Stillwater; veterans memorial expansion funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 3472 appropriates $350,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2027 to expand the Stillwater Veterans Memorial. The funds will be provided as a grant to the Stillwater Veterans Memorial to enhance its space honoring U.S. armed forces veterans. This bill directly affects the Stillwater memorial project and the veterans it commemorates. It makes a specific, concrete funding allocation without altering broader policies or creating new requirements. The bill's sole mechanism is the targeted appropriation for this memorial expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $350,000 from arts fund for veterans memorial expansion, directly funding a specific program within budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds expansion of Stillwater Veterans Memorial through $350k appropriation, directly recognizing veterans' service via dedicated memorial enhancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 26, 2026

HF 3763: Community engagement requirements established for the medical assistance program.

HF 3763 establishes new community engagement requirements for individuals applying for or renewing Minnesota's medical assistance program. It requires applicants to demonstrate 80 hours of qualifying activity (such as work, community service, education, or sufficient income) in the two months prior to application or renewal, unless they qualify for an exception. Key exceptions include parents caring for young children, veterans with service-connected disabilities, individuals with medical frailty, and people enrolled in other state assistance programs. The bill creates specific guidelines for documenting compliance and exceptions, with the commissioner developing standard forms for medical hardship exemptions. This policy directly affects low-income Minnesotans seeking state medical assistance coverage.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRequires 80 hours of activity before accessing medical assistance, restricting eligibility and limiting patient access to healthcare coverage.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransVeterans with service-connected disabilities are explicitly exempted from community engagement requirements, protecting their access to medical assistance under the program.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SF 4026: Department of Veterans Affairs issued competitive grants standards for usage establishment

SF 4026 establishes standards for Minnesota's Department of Veterans Affairs competitive grants. It requires nonprofit organizations applying for these grants to be Minnesota-based, operating for at least five years, in good standing with the Attorney General, and have a current IRS Form 990. The bill limits grant funds to services for Minnesota veterans, their immediate family members (spouses or children under 22), or families of veterans who died in service, prioritizing veterans with health disabilities. Grantees must submit annual reports on service metrics, and the department must develop a scoring system based on past veteran service outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes healthcare services for veterans and families through grant funding, requiring nonprofits to provide health-related services per eligibility criteria.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes grant standards prioritizing Minnesota veterans' healthcare services through qualified nonprofits, directly advancing veteran support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track