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.
SF 568 expands Minnesota's definition of "veteran" to include two specific groups: Hmong veterans naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, and veterans who served with irregular forces in Laos during the Secret War (1961-1975) as U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It also establishes an advisory task force of up to seven members - including Secret War veterans, academics, and community representatives - to advise the commissioner of veterans affairs on eligibility criteria for the expanded definition. This change directly affects these veterans by enabling them to access state veteran benefits and services previously unavailable under Minnesota law. The task force will develop concrete criteria to determine qualification, ensuring the expanded definition aligns with historical service.
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.
This bill appropriates $900,000 from the general fund for capital improvements at the Magnus Veterans Wellness Clinic in Dayton. The funds will cover design, construction, renovation, and equipment for the clinic, including space reconfiguration, energy efficiency upgrades, and replacement of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. The money is a one-time grant to the Magnus Veterans Foundation to support ongoing clinic operations. This directly benefits veterans using the Dayton clinic by improving its facilities. The appropriation expires upon project completion or abandonment.
This bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $200,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $400,000 for veterans with a total (100%) and permanent disability. The change directly affects qualifying veterans (requiring VA certification and honorable discharge), their surviving spouses who inherit the homestead, and approved primary family caregivers. The exclusion applies to the homestead property's taxable value, with specific application deadlines and eligibility requirements outlined in the bill.
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.
This bill appropriates $400,000 annually from the general fund for the Veterans Resilience Project, starting in fiscal year 2026 and continuing with a base of $400,000 each year after 2028. It directly funds Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for veterans, veterans' spouses, current military service members, and their spouses suffering from PTSD or trauma. The project must report annually by January 15 to the commissioner of veterans affairs and relevant legislative committees, detailing program budgets, expenditures, participants served, and services provided. The funding specifically targets mental health support through a recognized therapy method for military-connected individuals.
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.
This bill increases property tax relief for Minnesota veterans with service-connected disabilities. It raises the market value exclusion from $150,000 to $250,000 for veterans with a 70%+ disability rating, and from $300,000 to $500,000 for those with a 100% permanent disability. The exclusion applies to the veteran's homestead property (primary residence), and surviving spouses who qualify may also retain the benefit. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge and a VA-certified disability rating, and must apply to their county assessor by December 31 each year. This change directly affects eligible veterans, their primary family caregivers, and surviving spouses who meet the criteria.
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.
