Purpose

This bill would change how burial fees are handled in Minnesota veterans cemeteries and expand funding and support for veterans and their families. It aims to remove or reduce costs for certain burials, provide policies for waivers, and broaden the use of a state veterans support fund to help veterans, their spouses and dependents, and related programs.

Main provisions

• Funding and program uses (Minnesota Support Our Troops account)

  • The bill would specify seven uses for money in the Minnesota Support Our Troops account, including:
  • Grants to veterans service organizations
  • Outreach to underserved veterans
  • Providing services and programs for veterans and their families
  • Transferring funds to the driver and vehicle services operating account for Gold Star license plates
  • Grants up to $100,000 to organizations approved by the commissioner of veterans affairs to support and improve the lives of veterans and their families
  • Grants to an eligible foundation
  • The agency’s uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to obtain no-fee or reduced-fee burial in state veteran cemeteries, under the related burial rules
  • Defines an “eligible foundation” as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that is a nonprofit under Minnesota law and whose articles of incorporation state a purpose to provide assistance to veterans and their families or to enhance their lives.

• Burial fees and waivers (Interment policy in state veterans cemeteries)

  • The bill changes how burial fees are handled for the interment of eligible spouses and dependent children:
  • A fee schedule can be set, but the fees should cover actual interment costs (excluding the value of the burial plot).
  • The commissioner may waive or reduce burial fees for indigent eligible applicants, with a policy, eligibility standards, and an application form to request waivers.
  • No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die on active duty or for eligible veterans as defined by the federal statute (Title 38 USC, section 101(2)), or for other eligible persons listed in the law.

Significant changes to existing law

• Expanded funding roles: The bill broadens how the Minnesota Support Our Troops account may be used, including new grants to organizations and financing for burial costs, in addition to existing veteran services.
• No-fee or reduced-fee burials: It tightens and clarifies rules to ensure no or reduced burial costs for certain groups, especially spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans, and for service members who die on active duty. It creates a process for waivers for indigent individuals.
• Eligibility and definitions: It adds specific criteria for what counts as an eligible foundation and clarifies which organizations and activities can receive funds.
• Interment cost accounting: It establishes that burial fees should cover actual interment costs (excluding plot value), potentially reducing or eliminating charges for some families.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Support Our Troops account - grants - veterans service organizations - outreach to underserved veterans - Gold Star license plates - eligible foundation - 501(c)(3) - nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A - interment / burial fees - burial costs - no-fee or reduced-fee burial - eligible spouses and dependent children - indigent eligible applicants - service members who die on active duty - United States Code Title 38 §101(2) - state veterans cemeteries - compassionate waivers/fee waivers - uncompensated burial costs