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.
SF 3387 allocates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide emergency assistance to veterans through the nonprofit organization Every Third Saturday. This one-time appropriation requires the organization to submit annual reports by September 1, 2026, and 2027, detailing how the funds were used and the number of veterans served. The reports must be provided to Minnesota’s commissioner of veterans affairs and relevant legislative committees. The bill directly affects veterans receiving emergency aid and the nonprofit managing the program.
This bill establishes an "outdoor recreation endorsement" sticker for Minnesota license plates, allowing motor vehicles to access state parks and recreation areas over 50 acres. Vehicle owners would need this endorsement (or a dedicated state parks plate) to enter these areas, with fees collected funding park maintenance. The endorsement would be added to standard plates, and revenue would go to the natural resources fund. Veterans with service-connected disabilities would be exempt from the endorsement fee, as specified in existing law. The provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
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.
SF 1496 amends Minnesota law to make it a misdemeanor to falsely impersonate an active/reserve military member, veteran, or public official with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits, or for political gain. The bill directly affects individuals who impersonate these roles to secure personal advantages or political influence. Key provisions criminalize such impersonation under specific intent criteria, adding to existing penalties for similar offenses. This change updates Minnesota Statutes section 609.475 to explicitly include "political gain" as a prohibited motive.
HF 239 amends Minnesota Statutes section 290A.03, subdivision 3, to explicitly exclude veterans' educational benefits from household income calculations for property tax refunds. This change ensures that veterans receiving tax-exempt educational assistance under U.S. Code Title 38, Section 5301(a) (such as GI Bill benefits) will not have these payments counted when determining eligibility for state property tax refunds. The bill directly affects Minnesota veterans who receive educational benefits, clarifying that these funds won't reduce their refund amount. The amendment updates the statutory definition of "income" to include veterans' educational assistance as a non-inclusive item, aligning with existing federal tax treatment of these benefits.
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.
HF 1640 appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund to preserve the oral histories of Hmong veterans who served in the U.S.-sponsored Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War era. The funds are directed to Special Guerrilla Units Veterans and Families of USA, Inc. to collect, document, archive, and preserve these histories while creating public educational resources. This bill directly supports Hmong veterans and their families in Minnesota by safeguarding their wartime experiences and cultural heritage. The program aims to teach future generations about the Hmong community's history and contributions in Minnesota through documented oral histories and accessible programming.
