HF1445

This Minnesota House bill (H.F. No. 1445), authored by Representative Bliss, seeks to amend the state's veterans' burial provisions in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236. The key changes proposed include:

1. Eligibility for Burial:

   • Cemeteries designated for veterans must be used exclusively for the burial of:
     • Service members who die on active duty
       
     • Eligible veterans
       
     • Their spouses and dependent children
       
   • Eligibility is defined according to Title 38, U.S. Code, section 101 and 2402.

2. Burial Fees:

   • The Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs will establish a fee schedule for the interment of eligible spouses and dependent children.
     
   • Fees should cover the actual interment costs, excluding the value of the burial plot.
     
   • The commissioner may waive or reduce burial fees for indigent (financially struggling) eligible persons based on a developed policy and application process.
     
   • No plot or interment fees will be charged for the burial of:
     • Service members who die on active duty
       
     • Eligible veterans
       

The bill aims to update and clarify burial provisions to ensure support for veterans and their families while also providing fee assistance for those in financial need.