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SF866 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Grave markers for veterans provided by the commissioner of veterans affairs requirement provision and appropriation

Related bill: HF193

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

The bill would require the state to provide grave markers for veterans buried in Minnesota. It authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to supply an appropriate marker, using available funds, when requested by a county veterans service officer or a congressionally chartered veterans organization. The markers would be used to permanently mark the graves of veterans within the state.

Main Provisions

  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 197.23 subdivision 1 to authorize the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide an appropriate grave marker for a veteran’s grave, as defined in section 197.447.
  • The marker is provided upon request from either a county veterans service officer or a congressionally chartered veterans organization.
  • Funds for the markers come from existing “available funds” (i.e., limited by what is available in the department’s appropriation).
  • The marker must be used for memorial purposes to permanently mark the grave of a veteran buried within Minnesota.
  • The veteran must be defined as a veteran under section 197.447.
  • Section 2 creates an appropriation from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the commissioner of veterans affairs for providing the grave markers, and states that this is an ongoing appropriation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Explicitly authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide grave markers for veterans upon request, expanding or clarifying the department’s authority to fund and place markers.
  • Establishes a dedicated ongoing appropriation from the general fund for 2026 and 2027 (and, by noting it as ongoing, implies continued funding beyond those years for this purpose).
  • Updates the process by which markers may be requested (through county veterans service officers or congressionally chartered veterans organizations).

How It Works (Summary of Process)

  • A request comes from a county veterans service officer or a congressionally chartered veterans organization.
  • The commissioner of veterans affairs uses available funds to provide an appropriate grave marker.
  • The marker serves to permanently mark the grave of a veteran defined under the relevant statute and located within Minnesota.

Relevant terms - grave marker - veterans - commissioner of veterans affairs - available funds - county veterans service officer - congressionally chartered veterans organization - memorial purposes - permanently mark - grave - within the state / Minnesota - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 197.23 subdivision 1 - section 197.447 - general fund - appropriation - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - ongoing appropriation

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 03, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 03, 2025SenateActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
March 03, 2025SenateActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Authorizes provision of grave markers within available funds.",
        "Markers may be provided upon request by county veterans service officers or congressionally chartered veterans organizations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.23, subdivision 1 to authorize the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide grave markers for veterans, within available funds, upon request of a county veterans service officer or congressionally chartered veterans organization; the marker is to be used for memorial purposes to permanently mark the grave of a veteran buried within Minnesota. The definition of 'veteran' used is drawn from section 197.447.",
      "modified": [
        "Subdivision 1 amended to authorize grave marker program and memorial purpose; references to veteran definition updated to align with section 197.447."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.23",
    "subdivision": "subd. 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Uses the definition of 'veteran' as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 197.447 for the grave-marker program referenced in section 197.23, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "197.447",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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