SF2222

Purpose

• The bill changes who can be buried in Minnesota’s state veterans cemeteries and provides funding to support those cemeteries.

Main Provisions

• Section 1 — Eligibility for burial:
  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236 subdivision 8.
  • States that state veterans cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of:
  • service members who die on active duty,
  • eligible veterans and their spouses and dependent children (as defined in United States Code, Title 38, section 101, paragraph 2),
  • and honorably discharged members of the National Guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces.
• Section 2 — Funding:
  • In fiscal years 2026 and 2027, appropriations from the general fund are provided to the commissioner of veterans affairs for purposes of Minnesota Statutes section 197.236 subdivision 8.
  • This funding supports the operation and implementation of the cemetery provisions.

Significant Changes

• Clarifies and tightens who is eligible for burial at state veterans cemeteries, explicitly including:
  • service members who die on active duty,
  • eligible veterans and their spouses and dependent children (per 38 U.S.C. 101(2)),
  • and honorably discharged members of the National Guard or reserve components.
• Establishes targeted funding (general fund appropriations for 2026 and 2027) to support these eligibility rules and cemetery operations.

Practical Impact

• The bill narrows or confirms who qualifies for burial in state veterans cemeteries and ensures funding in the near term to support those burial services.

Relevant Terms - state veterans cemeteries - service members - die on active duty - eligible veterans - spouses - dependent children - United States Code - Title 38 - Section 101(2) - National Guard - reserve component - Minnesota Statutes - 2024 - section 197.236 - subdivision 8 - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of veterans affairs - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027