Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEliminates $60 ATV registration fees for veterans with 100% service-connected disability, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SF 1452: Veterans service office grant program and appropriation

This bill establishes a grant program to fund county veterans service offices and the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Counties receive a base $7,500 annual grant for outreach, veteran reintegration, and reducing veteran homelessness, plus additional funds up to $20,000 based on their veteran population size (e.g., $10,000 for counties with 10,000-20,000 veterans). The state association gets $160,000 annually - $60,000 specifically for three technical assistance coordinators focused on women veterans, suicide prevention, and justice-involved veterans. The bill appropriates $60,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these grants, with unspent 2026 funds rolling into 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds ($7,500-$27,500+ annually) for veterans services, directly increasing public program funding via budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds programs targeting veteran homelessness reduction, a core housing issue under the topic's scope.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds county veterans service offices with base grants and population-based allocations, plus $160k for state association to support outreach, reintegration, and homelessness reduction.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 23, 2025

SF 189: Vehicle taxes and fee exemptions for eligible surviving spouses of a veteran authorization

SF 189 extends Minnesota's existing vehicle tax and fee exemptions for veterans with total service-connected disability to eligible surviving spouses of veterans (known as "Gold Star spouses"). The bill defines a Gold Star spouse as the surviving spouse of a veteran who died while serving honorably in active duty and includes them in the list of individuals exempt from registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes. These exemptions apply to up to two vehicles registered by the spouse and take effect for registration periods starting on or after January 1, 2026. The bill does not cover personalized plate fees or special plate donations, which remain subject to standard fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax exemptions to Gold Star spouses, providing targeted tax relief for vulnerable groups, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends existing vehicle tax exemptions to Gold Star spouses, expanding benefits for veterans' families by including surviving spouses of veterans who died in service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

Track

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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates general fund for burial costs, funding essential veterans service without fee burden95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves burial fees for veterans' spouses/dependents at state cemeteries, appropriates state funds to cover costs, directly expanding benefits and eliminating financial barriers for veterans' families.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 20, 2025

HF 1504: Veterans on the Lake grants funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1504 appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs. The funds are specifically designated for grants to "Veterans on the Lake" to cover expenses related to veteran retreats. These expenses include therapy, transportation, and customized activities for veterans. The bill directly affects the Veterans on the Lake organization and the veterans participating in their retreat programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100k from general fund for veterans' retreat grants, directly funding essential services through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds therapy (mental health) for veterans via retreats, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill appropriates $50k/year for Veterans on the Lake retreats covering therapy, transportation, and activities - directly funds veteran services per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SF 3024: Veteran programming grant appropriation

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200k total from general fund for veteran programs, directly funding essential services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAppropriates $200k for veteran programs (retreats, outdoor leadership, service discounts) via YMCA, directly funding services and recognizing veterans' needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 239: Veteran educational benefits excluded from household income.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes veterans' educational benefits from income calculations, increasing eligibility for property tax refunds - tax relief for veterans, directly supporting tax policy accessibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veterans' educational benefits from household income calculations for tax refunds, ensuring full eligibility without benefit reduction per GI Bill provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SF 2762: Veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability obtaining a license for a fish house, dark house, or shelter without paying a fee authorization provision

This bill allows veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) to obtain license fees for fish houses, dark houses, or shelters at no cost. It amends Minnesota law to remove fees for these specific licenses when veterans provide proof of their disability status, such as a driver's license with the designated VA status. The policy directly affects eligible veterans who are Minnesota residents and meet the VA disability criteria. The key mechanism is using existing identification with the VA designation as proof, streamlining access to fee-free licenses for these recreational structures.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives license fees for veterans with 100% disability, directly providing a financial benefit under Veterans Affairs subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SF 1894: Veteran benefit services fees written agreements requirement provision, veterans benefit services providers prohibited from making a guarantee of veterans benefit provision, and Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act remedies provision

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits deceptive guarantees and mandates transparency for veterans' benefit providers, protecting veterans from fraud while ensuring access to free services through county officers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SF 1190: Exclusion amount increase for the homestead market value exclusion for veterans with a disability

SF 1190 increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill raises the homestead market value exclusion from $150,000 to $375,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $420,000 for veterans with a total (100%) permanent disability. This directly benefits qualifying veterans, their surviving spouses (if they meet residency and ownership requirements), and primary family caregivers living with the veteran. The policy change modifies Minnesota Statutes § 273.13, subdivision 34, to provide higher tax savings on their primary residence. The exclusion requires application to the local assessor and verification of disability status by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exclusion for veterans with disabilities, providing direct tax relief under Taxation-Property subject.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases property tax relief for veterans with disabilities, reducing housing costs for qualifying homeowners and advancing affordability within housing policy.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases property tax relief for veterans with service-connected disabilities by raising exclusion amounts, directly expanding financial benefits for qualifying veterans and caregivers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Development Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track