Veterans (Veteran Education) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 13, 2025

HF 1225: All-terrain vehicle registration fee eliminated for veterans with a total service-connected disability.

HF 1225 eliminates all-terrain vehicle (ATV) registration fees for Minnesota veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. It amends Minnesota Statutes to exempt these veterans from paying the standard $60 (public use) or $6 (private use) three-year registration fee, instead providing free registration. Veterans must provide proof of their 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or military retirement board. This change directly affects qualifying veterans who own ATVs, removing a financial burden tied to vehicle registration. The policy modifies existing fee structures under Minnesota Statutes § 84.922, subdivision 5.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 24, 2025

HF 1756: Property tax; market value exclusion modified for veterans with a disability, exclusion amounts increased annually with inflation, and surviving spouses benefit modified.

HF 1756 increases property tax exclusions for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities and modifies benefits for surviving spouses. Veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating receive a $150,000 exclusion (doubling to $300,000 for 100% disability), with the base amount adjusted annually for inflation using a federal economic index. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans or service members who died in active duty can continue the full $300,000 exclusion until they remarry or sell the home. The bill directly affects veterans, their spouses, and primary family caregivers who qualify under the existing program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 24, 2025

HF 2678: Veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability allowed to obtain a license for a fish, house, dark house, or shelter without paying a fee.

This bill amends Minnesota law to waive fees for specific fishing licenses for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities. It directly affects Minnesota veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as defined by federal law. The provision allows them to obtain licenses for a fish house, dark house, or shelter without paying fees, using a VA disability letter or a driver's license with a designated disability indicator as proof. The change modifies existing statute 97A.441, subdivision 5, to include these fee waivers for eligible veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 3395: Veteran relocation bonus program establishment for veterans who were recently terminated from federal employment

This bill establishes a $10,000 relocation bonus program for veterans who were involuntarily terminated from federal jobs after January 20, 2025. To qualify, veterans must not have been Minnesota residents on that date but establish residency before January 1, 2027, and begin working at least 20 hours weekly in Minnesota before that deadline. The program, funded with $6 million from the workforce development fund for fiscal year 2026, requires applicants to apply through the commissioner of employment and economic development. The commissioner must report on the program’s implementation by March 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 792: Veterans exempted from motor vehicle registration taxes and fees, including certain registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license and identification card fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes.

HF 792 exempts Minnesota veterans with a total service-connected disability from multiple vehicle-related fees, including registration taxes, license plate fees, title fees, driver's license/ID card fees, and motor vehicle sales taxes. The exemption applies to up to two vehicles registered by the veteran or jointly with a spouse/domestic partner, covering standard fees but excluding personalized plate fees or required special plate donations. It amends existing tax statutes to implement these changes, effective January 1, 2026, for registration periods starting on or after that date. The bill directly affects qualifying veterans by reducing their vehicle ownership costs without altering other tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 20, 2025

HF 982: Education benefit established for dependents of disabled veterans.

HF 982 creates a new education benefit in Minnesota for dependents of disabled veterans. It provides full tuition, mandatory fees, and book coverage (after subtracting other aid) for dependents of veterans with a 100% permanent disability, and 50% coverage for dependents of veterans with a 70%+ disability rating. The benefit applies to undergraduate programs at Minnesota state colleges, universities, or the University of Minnesota Board of Regents institutions. Eligible students must be enrolled at these institutions, and institutions apply for the benefit on their behalf through the Office of Higher Education.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 10, 2025

HF 1516: Commissioner of veterans affairs funding provided for a grant to an organization to establish a Black veterans support program, and money appropriated.

HF 1516 appropriates $5 million from Minnesota's general fund for a one-time grant to an organization developing a support program specifically for Black veterans. The program must provide services including mental health care ($1.5M), job training ($1M), homeownership assistance ($700K), educational support ($500K), and administrative outreach ($1M). This bill directly affects Black veterans in Minnesota by creating targeted access to these specific support services through a state-funded grant. The commissioner of veterans affairs is required to award the grant to an eligible organization to operate the program. The funding is allocated for fiscal year 2026 only.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SF 1776: Special license plate establishment for veterans who received the Army of Occupation Medal

This bill would add a new special license plate design for Minnesota veterans who received the Army of Occupation Medal. It amends existing law to include this category under the state's veterans' plate program, requiring the commissioner of veterans affairs to design a corresponding emblem. Eligible veterans must already meet standard requirements (honorable discharge, vehicle ownership) and provide proof of receiving the Army of Occupation Medal. The plate would be issued alongside other existing veterans' plate designs like "WORLD WAR VET" or "KOREAN VET."

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 3, 2025

HF 1778: Reports on grants issued by the commissioner of veterans affairs required.

HF 1778 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to submit annual reports starting January 15, 2026, detailing grants provided to organizations serving veterans. The reports must include specific data for each recipient: grant purpose and amount, prior grants received, other state/federal funding, numbers of veterans and family members served, program completion rates, and charitable giving ratios. If grants served veterans outside Minnesota, the report must list those states and explain the rationale. This bill directly affects the Commissioner’s office and the organizations receiving veterans' grants by mandating transparent, standardized reporting to legislative committees.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills