HF1184

Purpose and Intent

• The bill aims to remove state burial fees for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans buried in state veteran cemeteries and to provide funding to cover any related unreimbursed burial costs. It also adjusts how funds from the Minnesota Support Our Troops account are used and clarifies who can receive these benefits.

Main Provisions

• Access to no-fee burial for spouses and dependents:
  • Establishes that burial fees for eligible spouses and dependent children interred in state veteran cemeteries may be waived or reduced for indigent eligible applicants.
  • Sets up a fee schedule for interment that covers nearly all actual costs, excluding the value of the burial plot.
  • Explicitly says there are no burial/interment fees for service members who die on active duty or for eligible veterans as defined by federal law (38 U.S.C. 101(2)).
• Funding for uncompensated burial costs:
  • Authorizes funding from the general fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover the uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents who receive a no-fee burial in state veteran cemeteries under the bill.
• Uses of Minnesota Support Our Troops account:
  • Allows money from this account to be used for: grants to veterans service organizations; outreach to underserved veterans; providing services and programs for veterans and their families; transfers for Gold Star license plates; grants to eligible foundations; and the agency’s uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents with no-fee burial.
• Eligible foundations:
  • Defines an eligible foundation as a tax-exempt organization under 501(c) and a nonprofit under Chapter 317A whose articles specify helping veterans and their families or enhancing their lives.

Changes to Existing Law

• Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 190.19, subdivision 2a:
  • Broadens authorized uses of the Minnesota Support Our Troops account to include funding for uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents receiving no-fee burial.
  • Adds a definition of “eligible foundation” for purposes of grants under this subdivision.
• Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236, subdivision 9:
  • Establishes a fee schedule for the interment of eligible spouses and dependent children and authorizes waivers or reductions for indigent eligible applicants.
  • Clarifies that no fees apply for the burial of service members who die on active duty or for eligible veterans as defined in federal law.

Funding and Financial Implications

• Appropriations:
  • Allocates funds in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of veterans affairs to cover uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents who receive no-fee burial in state veteran cemeteries.

Definitions and Key Terms

• Eligible veterans: those meeting criteria under federal law (e.g., active duty status and other qualifying conditions).
• Eligible dependents: spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans.
• Uncompensated burial costs: costs not covered by other sources for interment.
• No-fee burial / no-fee interment: burial without charges to eligible parties under the program.
• Interment / burial fees: fees charged for interment services, which this bill seeks to adjust or waive in certain cases.
• Minnesota Support Our Troops account: a state funding source whose uses are expanded by the bill.
• Gold Star license plates: a referenced funding/transfer mechanism tied to veteran supports.
• Eligible foundation: a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization supporting veterans or their families as defined in the bill.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Support Our Troops account - Gold Star license plates - uncompensated burial costs - no-fee burial - interment fees - burial fees - indigent eligible - eligible dependents - eligible veterans - service members who die on active duty - 38 U.S.C. 101(2) - eligible foundation - 501(c) nonprofit - Chapter 317A - interment cost - veterans cemeteries - general fund appropriation - fiscal years 2026 and 2027