HF 837

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/25/2023 12:44pm

A bill for an act
relating to veterans; removing state veterans cemetery burial fee for spouses and
dependents of eligible veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections
190.19, subdivision 2a; 197.236, subdivision 9.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Uses; veterans.

(a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs
from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:

(1) grants to veterans service organizations;

(2) outreach to underserved veterans;

(3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;

(4) transfers to the vehicle services account for Gold Star license plates under section
168.1253;

(5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of
veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their
families;

(6) grants to an eligible foundation; and

(7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to whom the
commissioner grants a no-fee deleted text begin or reduced-fee deleted text end burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant
to section 197.236, subdivision 9 deleted text begin , paragraph (b) deleted text end .

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible foundation" includes any organization
that:

(1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

(2) is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the organization's articles of
incorporation specify that a purpose of the organization includes: (i) providing assistance
to veterans and their families; or (ii) enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Burial fees new text begin prohibited new text end .

deleted text begin (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish
a fee schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses
and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of
interment, excluding the value of the plot.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent
eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility standards, and
application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of deleted text begin service members who die
on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101,
paragraph (2) deleted text end new text begin eligible persons under subdivision 8 new text end .