Minnesota Session Laws - 2026 Regular Session

CHAPTER 50--H.F.No. 3544

An act

relating to veterans; providing that certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits do not qualify for state-funded veterans benefits, services, or programs; discontinuing the environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 196.021; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 196.19; 196.21; 196.22, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5; 196.23; 196.24; 196.25; 196.26; 197.225.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 196.021, is amended to read:

196.021 DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS; DUTIES.

Subdivision 1.

Appointment.

The commissioner shall appoint a deputy commissioner for veteran services new text begin , a deputy commissioner for administration, new text end and a deputy commissioner for veteran health care. deleted text begin Both deleted text end Deputy commissioners serve in the unclassified service at the pleasure of the commissioner. deleted text begin Both deputies deleted text end new text begin Deputy commissioners new text end must be residents of Minnesota, citizens of the United States, and veterans as defined in section 197.447.

Subd. 2.

Powers and duties.

The deputy commissioner for veteran services deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin , new text end the deputy commissioner for veteran health care new text begin , and the deputy commissioner for administration new text end have those powers delegated by the commissioner. A delegation must be in writing, signed by the commissioner, and filed with the secretary of state.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [197.792] FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS. new text end

new text begin An individual who is a veteran, as defined under section 197.447, or a former member of the armed forces does not qualify for state-funded veterans benefits, services, or programs under chapters 196 to 198 if the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that the individual has forfeited the individual's entitlement to federal benefits according to United States Code, title 38, chapter 61. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 196.19; 196.21; 196.22, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 5; 196.23; 196.24; 196.25; 196.26; and 197.225, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor April 20, 2026