SF489

SF489 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

State veterans cemetery burial fee removal for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans

Related bill: HF840

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill proposes to eliminate burial fees at state veterans' cemeteries for the spouses and dependents of eligible veterans in Minnesota. It involves changes to specific sections of the Minnesota Statutes to ensure that funds from the Minnesota Support Our Troops account can be used to cover these burial costs without charging families. The bill also defines what types of organizations can receive grants to assist veterans and their families. Furthermore, the bill provides the commissioner of veterans affairs the authority to waive or reduce burial fees for individuals who are indigently deemed eligible, while maintaining that no burial fees should be charged for service members who die on active duty or for veterans who meet specified criteria.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 22, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
March 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subsection clarifying disbursement rules."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates previous requirement for municipal matching funds."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies pension fund eligibility for volunteer firefighters under section 353G.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts pension payment schedule from annual to quarterly."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "353G.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes reference to fund transfers for Gold Star license plates service."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill mentions processing funds related to Gold Star license plates under section 168.1253.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "168.1253"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows the commissioner to waive or reduce burial fees for indigent eligible persons."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill changes the burial fee policy for spouses and dependents under section 197.236.",
      "modified": [
        "Modifies the billing requirements and eligibility criteria for burial plot fees."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.236"
  }
]