1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a 
1.3 	policy to grant free or reduced-cost burials in state veterans cemeteries to eligible 
1.4 	dependents of veterans who are low income;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, 
1.5 	sections 190.19, subdivision 2a; 197.236, subdivision 9.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 2a.Uses; veterans. (a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
1.9 	from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
1.10 	(1) grants to veterans service organizations;
1.11 	(2) outreach to underserved veterans;
1.12 	(3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;
1.13 	(4) transfers to the vehicle services account for Gold Star license plates under section 
1.14 	168.1253;
1.15 	(5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of 
1.16 	veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their 
1.17 	families; ~~and~~
1.18 	(6) grants to an eligible foundation~~.~~; and
1.19 	(7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to whom the 
1.20 	commissioner grants a no-fee or reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant 
1.21 	to section 197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
2.1 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible foundation" includes any organization 
2.2 	that:
2.3 	(1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
2.4 	(2) is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the organization's articles of 
2.5 	incorporation specify that a purpose of the organization includes: (i) providing assistance 
2.6 	to veterans and their families; or (ii) enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.

2.7 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.8 		Subd. 9.Burial fees. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish a fee 
2.9 	schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses 
2.10 	and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of 
2.11 	interment, excluding the value of the plot.
2.12 	(b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee ~~in the case~~ 
2.13 	~~of~~ for an indigent eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility 
2.14 	standards, and application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent 
2.15 	eligible applicants.
2.16 	(c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die 
2.17 	on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101, 
2.18 	paragraph (2).