1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; removing state veterans cemetery burial fee for spouses and 
1.3 	dependents of eligible veterans;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 
1.4 	190.19, subdivision 2a; 197.236, subdivision 9.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 2a.Uses; veterans. (a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs 
1.8 	from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
1.9 	(1) grants to veterans service organizations;
1.10 	(2) outreach to underserved veterans;
1.11 	(3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;
1.12 	(4) transfers to the vehicle services account for Gold Star license plates under section 
1.13 	168.1253;
1.14 	(5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of 
1.15 	veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their 
1.16 	families;
1.17 	(6) grants to an eligible foundation; and
1.18 	(7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to whom the 
1.19 	commissioner grants a no-fee ~~or reduced-fee~~ burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant 
1.20 	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 2022, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.8 		Subd. 9.Burial fees prohibited. ~~(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish~~ 
2.9 	~~a fee 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 for an indigent~~ 
2.13 	~~eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility standards, and~~ 
2.14 	~~application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.~~
2.15 	~~(c)~~ No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of ~~service members who die~~ 
2.16 	~~on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101,~~ 
2.17 	~~paragraph (2)~~ eligible persons under subdivision 8.