Veterans (Memorials & Recognition) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SF 873: Vietnam War/ Secret War in Laos/ Southeast Asian Conflict commemorative program

This bill appropriates $150,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Minnesota Humanities Center to administer a commemorative program marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Secret War in Laos, and Southeast Asian Conflict. It funds joint commemoration activities as specified in prior legislation (Laws 2024, chapter 106, article 4, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (k)). The program is administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center and directly supports commemorative events, not new policies or affected populations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2025

HF 1185: Special license plate established for National Defense Service Medal recipients, and technical changes made.

HF 1185 creates a new special license plate design for Minnesota residents who received the National Defense Service Medal. The bill amends Minnesota law to add a plate inscription reading "NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT" to the existing list of veteran plate options. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements for veteran plates (including honorable discharge documentation) and own qualifying vehicles. The plate would follow the same fee structure as other veteran plates, requiring payment of the standard special plate fee upon issuance.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 1407: Forest Lake; veterans memorial funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1407 appropriates $275,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for a veterans memorial in Forest Lake. The funds will be provided to the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee to construct the memorial at Lakeside Memorial Park. This bill directly affects the Forest Lake community and the memorial committee by providing specific funding for a physical memorial honoring U.S. military veterans. It is a straightforward funding measure with no broader policy changes or legislative procedures beyond the appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 1441: Commemorative program relating to the Vietnam War funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1441 appropriates $150,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for a commemorative program marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Secret War in Laos, and Southeast Asian Conflict. The funds are directed to the Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Directors to support joint commemoration efforts. This bill does not create new policy but allocates existing state funds for a specific historical observance. It directly affects the Minnesota Humanities Center as the recipient of the appropriation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SF 2222: Eligibility modification for burial in state veterans cemetery

This bill modifies Minnesota's eligibility rules for burial in state veterans cemeteries. It adds "honorably discharged members of the National Guard or a reserve component of the United States armed forces" to the list of qualifying individuals, alongside active-duty service members, eligible veterans, and their families (as defined in U.S. Code 38 U.S.C. § 101(2)). The change, found in Minnesota Statutes § 197.236, subd. 8, clarifies who qualifies for burial in state-run veterans cemeteries. The bill also appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026-2027 to support this program. It directly affects honorably discharged National Guard and reserve members seeking burial in Minnesota's state veterans cemeteries.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SF 2550: Fargo Memorial Honor Guard construction of a chapel and parking lot and related infrastructure at veterans national cemetery in North Dakota appropriation

This bill appropriates a one-time sum from Minnesota's general fund to the state's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for a grant to the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard. The funds will cover construction costs for a chapel, parking lot, and related infrastructure at a veterans national cemetery in North Dakota. The project directly affects the cemetery's operations and visitors by providing new facilities. The appropriation is limited to fiscal year 2026 and does not create new ongoing state obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 10, 2025

HF 2444: Veterans and military affairs policy and finance bill.

HF 2444 is a Minnesota state budget bill that allocates funding for military and veterans services. It provides $30 million for Military Affairs (2026) and $33.5 million (2027), plus $141.9 million for Veterans Affairs (2026) and $146.7 million (2027), including $111.3 million for veterans health care. The bill requires new reporting on federal Medicare reimbursements for veterans homes, allocates $550,000 annually for suicide prevention programs, and mandates a memorial plaque for Gold Star and Blue Star families at the State Capitol. These provisions directly affect Minnesota veterans, military families, and state agencies managing veterans' benefits and facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medicare Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SF 3287: Metro Meals on Wheels appropriation

This bill appropriates $497,500 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to provide home-delivered meals to veterans through Metro Meals on Wheels. It also funds technical assistance, enrollment support, and volunteer recruitment for the program’s member organizations. Metro Meals on Wheels must report annually by September 1st on how the funds were used and the number of veterans and service members served. The funding is a one-time allocation, not an ongoing appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SF 489: State veterans cemetery burial fee removal for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans

SF 489 removes burial fees for spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans at Minnesota state veterans cemeteries. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 190.19 (relating to Department of Veterans Affairs funding) and 197.236 (regarding burial fees) to prohibit charging these fees. Currently, families paid fees for interment, but this bill eliminates that cost entirely for qualifying spouses and dependents. The change directly affects veterans' families seeking burial in state cemeteries, removing a financial barrier. The bill does not affect burial fees for veterans themselves, as those are already prohibited under existing law.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 833: Special license plate for veterans who received the Army of Occupation Medal established, and technical changes made.

HF 833 creates a new special license plate design for Minnesota veterans who received the Army of Occupation Medal. It amends Minnesota Statutes to add "ARMY OF OCCUPATION VET" as a plate inscription under existing veteran plate provisions. To qualify, veterans must provide certified discharge papers showing honorable service and receipt of the Army of Occupation Medal, and own eligible non-commercial vehicles. This bill specifically affects veterans with this medal, not all veterans, and adds a technical amendment to the existing plate system without changing fees or application requirements.

Topics ✓ Veterans

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

All veterans bills