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SF2222 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Eligibility modification for burial in state veterans cemetery

Related bill: HF2409

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • The bill changes who can be buried in Minnesota’s state veterans cemeteries and provides funding to support those cemeteries.

Main Provisions

  • Section 1 — Eligibility for burial:
    • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236 subdivision 8.
    • States that state veterans cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of:
    • service members who die on active duty,
    • eligible veterans and their spouses and dependent children (as defined in United States Code, Title 38, section 101, paragraph 2),
    • and honorably discharged members of the National Guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces.
  • Section 2 — Funding:
    • In fiscal years 2026 and 2027, appropriations from the general fund are provided to the commissioner of veterans affairs for purposes of Minnesota Statutes section 197.236 subdivision 8.
    • This funding supports the operation and implementation of the cemetery provisions.

Significant Changes

  • Clarifies and tightens who is eligible for burial at state veterans cemeteries, explicitly including:
    • service members who die on active duty,
    • eligible veterans and their spouses and dependent children (per 38 U.S.C. 101(2)),
    • and honorably discharged members of the National Guard or reserve components.
  • Establishes targeted funding (general fund appropriations for 2026 and 2027) to support these eligibility rules and cemetery operations.

Practical Impact

  • The bill narrows or confirms who qualifies for burial in state veterans cemeteries and ensures funding in the near term to support those burial services.

Relevant Terms - state veterans cemeteries - service members - die on active duty - eligible veterans - spouses - dependent children - United States Code - Title 38 - Section 101(2) - National Guard - reserve component - Minnesota Statutes - 2024 - section 197.236 - subdivision 8 - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of veterans affairs - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 06, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 06, 2025SenateActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Explicitly references United States Code title 38 §101(2) to define eligibility.",
        "Incorporates broader eligibility definitions into the cemetery operation criteria."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifies eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries by specifying that cemeteries are operated for the burial of service members who die on active duty, eligible veterans and their spouses and dependent children as defined in federal law, and honorably discharged members of the National Guard or a reserve component.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends Minn. Stat. 2024, §197.236, subd. 8 to align cemetery eligibility with federal definitions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.236",
    "subdivision": "subd.8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Federal law reference used to define eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries as cited in the Minnesota statute.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "38 U.S.C. § 101(2)",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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