Bill HF5473

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to veterans; removing state veterans cemetery burial fee for spouses and
1.3          dependents of eligible veterans;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
1.4          197.236, subdivision 9; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 190.19,
1.5          subdivision 2a.
1.6          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7          Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended
1.8          to read:
1.9                          Subd. 2a.Uses; veterans. (a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs
1.10       from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
1.11       (1) grants to veterans service organizations;
1.12       (2) outreach to underserved veterans;
1.13       (3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;
1.14       (4) transfers to the driver and vehicle services operating account for Gold Star license
1.15       plates under section 168.1253;
1.16       (5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of
1.17       veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their
1.18       families;
1.19       (6) grants to an eligible foundation; and
1.20       (7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to whom the
1.21       commissioner grants a no-fee or reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant
1.22       to section 197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
2.1          (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible foundation" includes any organization
2.2          that:
2.3          (1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
2.4          (2) is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the organization's articles of
2.5          incorporation specify that a purpose of the organization includes: (i) providing assistance
2.6          to veterans and their families; or (ii) enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.

2.7          Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.8                          Subd. 9.Burial fees prohibited. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish
2.9          a fee schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses
2.10       and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of
2.11       interment, excluding the value of the plot.
2.12       (b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent
2.13       eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility standards, and
2.14       application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.
2.15       (c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die
2.16       on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101,
2.17       paragraph (2) eligible persons under subdivision 8.