HF 673 appropriates $50,000 from state bond proceeds to fund a veterans memorial in Howard Lake, Minnesota. The city of Howard Lake will receive a grant from the state veterans affairs office to construct, furnish, and equip the memorial. The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $50,000 in bonds to cover this cost, following standard state bond procedures.
SF 866 requires Minnesota's commissioner of veterans affairs to provide grave markers for veterans upon request from county veterans service officers or approved veterans organizations. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.23, making the provision of markers mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall") within available funds. The bill appropriates specific funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover these markers, which must permanently mark veterans' graves within Minnesota. This directly affects veterans' families and the commissioner's office by establishing a funded process for grave markers.
SF 3024 appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs for a grant to the YMCA of the North. The funds support three specific veteran and military family programs: Military and Veteran Family Retreats, Military Child BOLD and GOLD Outdoor Leadership Program, and Military and Veteran Service Program Discounts. This bill directly affects the YMCA of the North and the veterans, military families, and military children participating in these funded programs.
HF 2409 modifies Minnesota's state veterans cemetery eligibility rules to explicitly include honorably discharged National Guard members and reserve component service members alongside active-duty personnel and veterans. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.236 to expand the definition of eligible individuals under the burial program. It also appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover costs associated with this expanded eligibility. The change directly affects National Guard and reserve veterans who were previously excluded from the defined eligibility criteria under state law.
HF 840 removes burial fees at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries for spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 197.236, subdivision 9, to eliminate the requirement for fees on these family members, ensuring they can be buried without cost. This directly affects spouses and dependents of veterans who qualify for state veterans cemetery benefits under current law. The change applies to all eligible veterans' families, not just those who are indigent, and updates the fee schedule provisions to reflect this policy shift.
This bill appropriates $40,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund a planning grant for Lake County to develop a veterans memorial park. The grant directly supports Lake County in creating a park that honors U.S. military veterans, with the funds specifically designated for the planning phase. The bill does not fund construction or alter existing veteran benefits, but provides targeted financial support for planning a memorial space.
This bill authorizes Minnesota to issue free "Legion of Merit" special license plates to qualifying individuals. It directly affects recipients of the Legion of Merit military decoration who own eligible vehicles (passenger cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles, or RVs) for personal use. Key provisions include: the plates are issued at no cost, can be transferred to another vehicle owned by the same person without fee, and are exempt from certain registration fees. The plates must display "LEGION OF MERIT" and are effective for vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2026.
HF 1032 establishes a new special license plate design for Minnesota veterans who earned the Combat Infantry Badge. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 168.123, to add a "COMBAT INFANTRY" inscription on veteran plates, specifically for those who served in combat roles and received this badge. Eligible veterans must meet existing requirements, including honorable discharge documentation and vehicle registration, similar to other veteran plate categories like "Purple Heart" or "Vietnam Vet." This change directly affects Minnesota veterans with Combat Infantry Badge status who wish to display this recognition on their vehicles.
This bill requires veterans benefit service providers (who charge fees) to be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and to provide written fee agreements complying with federal rules. It prohibits providers from guaranteeing specific benefits (like exact payment amounts or approval rates) to veterans or their families. Providers must also give clients a written disclosure statement explaining free services available through county veterans service officers before charging fees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, with fines deposited into a "Support Our Troops" account.
HF 1445 modifies Minnesota's veterans burial laws to clarify eligibility and adjust fees. It specifies that veterans cemeteries must serve service members who died on active duty, veterans meeting federal criteria, and their spouses or dependent children. The bill requires the veterans commissioner to set fees for spouses and children that cover actual interment costs (excluding plot value), while allowing fee waivers for people with limited income. Crucially, it eliminates all burial fees for service members who died on active duty and for eligible veterans themselves.
