Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

This bill cancels a specific funding allocation of $0 from the state's general fund that was originally designated for veterans under the 2025 budget. The cancellation takes effect immediately upon the bill's final passage and remains in force until June 30, 2026. As a procedural measure, the legislation does not alter any existing programs or services but simply removes a previously approved line item from the budget.

HF 3544 changes eligibility for Minnesota veterans' state benefits and discontinues a specific program. It prohibits veterans or former military members who have forfeited federal benefits (per U.S. law) from receiving state-funded benefits, services, or programs. The bill also ends the environmental hazards information and assistance program, which provided veterans with health risk information related to chemical exposures like Agent Orange. This is accomplished by repealing specific statutes (196.19-196.26, 197.225) that previously established the program and its requirements. The law directly affects veterans who lost federal benefits and those who relied on the discontinued environmental hazards program.

SF 4072 changes Minnesota's veteran benefits eligibility and ends a specific program. It states that veterans who have forfeited federal benefits (per U.S. Code Title 38) do not qualify for Minnesota's state-funded benefits, services, or programs. The bill also discontinues the Environmental Hazards Information and Assistance Program, which provided veterans with health information related to exposures like Agent Orange, referrals to federal programs, and support for disability claims. This is achieved by repealing existing statutes (196.19-196.26 and 197.225) that governed the program and establishing the new eligibility rule. The change directly affects veterans who lost federal benefits and ends state support for environmental hazard-related veteran services.