Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to support disabled veterans by granting additional benefits in the form of free access to cultural and natural resources, specifically at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Main Provisions

• The bill mandates the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to allow disabled veterans and one guest unlimited free access to its facilities.
• A disabled veteran is defined, for the purposes of this bill, as a person who has a permanent service-connected disability verified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the state commissioner of veteran affairs.
• To qualify, a veteran must present a photo identification card that clearly indicates the term "service-connected," verifying their status.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 137.375 specifically extends free access benefits to include one guest of the disabled veteran, which may not have been clearly stipulated before.

Relevant Terms

• Disabled veteran
• Service-connected disability
• University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
• Free access
• Veteran identification card