HF 2868 appropriates $50,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide a one-time grant to the organization Every Third Saturday. This grant funds emergency assistance for veterans in Minnesota. The bill requires Every Third Saturday to submit detailed reports by September 1, 2026, and 2027, explaining how the funds were used and the number of veterans served. The reports must be sent to the commissioner of veterans affairs and relevant legislative committee chairs.
Minnesota Senate File 395 creates special veterans' license plates for each branch of the U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine). It allows eligible veterans who do not qualify for existing veteran plates to obtain free plates displaying "VETERAN" and their branch's emblem, provided they pay standard registration fees and meet ownership criteria for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, or specific trucks. The plates must be designed in consultation with veterans' organizations and can be transferred to another qualifying vehicle owned by the same person. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.
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.
Minnesota Senate Bill SF 977 amends Minnesota law to eliminate replacement fees for motor vehicles displaying Purple Heart medal special license plates. The bill specifically removes a $5 fee required when replacing these plates due to loss, theft, or damage, extending an existing exemption currently limited to certain scenarios. This change directly affects Minnesota veterans who hold Purple Heart medal special plates, ensuring they pay no fee when replacing their plates. The provision modifies sections 168.12 and 168.123 of Minnesota Statutes to align with the existing fee exemption for Purple Heart plates under section 168.1245.
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.
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.
HF 2306 appropriates $40,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Lake County to plan a veterans memorial park honoring U.S. military veterans. The bill directly affects Lake County (as the grant recipient) and Minnesota veterans (as the honorees of the memorial). Key provisions include the specific funding amount, the purpose of planning the memorial park, and the requirement that funds be used solely to recognize and honor veterans of the U.S. armed forces. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy mechanisms beyond the grant.
This bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and another $50,000 for fiscal year 2027 to Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat, a nonprofit organization. The funds are designated for expenses related to veteran retreats, including transportation and customized activities. The commissioner of veterans affairs must submit annual reports detailing how the grant money was used, including administrative costs, to legislative committees by January 15 each year. This bill directly supports veterans participating in the nonprofit's retreat programs through financial assistance.
HF 2682 appropriates $6,000 from Minnesota's general fund to provide a $1,200 bonus to eligible veterans who served in qualifying campaigns under Minnesota law but did not receive a bonus under existing provisions (Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79). Veterans must submit military discharge documents (DD214) confirming their service to the state veterans affairs commissioner by December 31, 2028, to qualify for the payment. The funds are available until June 20, 2029, to cover eligible bonus payments. This bill directly affects veterans meeting specific service criteria who were previously excluded from bonus eligibility under current state law.
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.
