1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to veterans; removing state veterans cemetery burial fee for spouses and
1.3 dependents of eligible veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections
1.4 190.19, subdivision 2a; 197.236, subdivision 9.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2a.Uses; veterans.(a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs
1.8from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
1.9 (1) grants to veterans service organizations;
1.10 (2) outreach to underserved veterans;
1.11 (3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;
1.12 (4) transfers to the vehicle services account for Gold Star license plates under section
1.13168.1253;
1.14 (5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of
1.15veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their
1.16families;
1.17 (6) grants to an eligible foundation; and
1.18 (7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs for eligible dependents to whom the
1.19commissioner grants a no-fee or reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant
1.20to section 197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
1Section 1.
23-02438 as introduced01/17/23 REVISOR BD/AD
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 702NINETY-THIRD SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: LIESKE, Duckworth, Farnsworth and Mitchell)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/25/2023
Referred to State and Local Government and Veterans 2.1 (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible foundation" includes any organization
2.2that:
2.3 (1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
2.4 (2) is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the organization's articles of
2.5incorporation specify that a purpose of the organization includes: (i) providing assistance
2.6to veterans and their families; or (ii) enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.
2.7 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.8 Subd. 9.Burial fees prohibited.(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish
2.9a fee schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses
2.10and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of
2.11interment, excluding the value of the plot.
2.12 (b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent
2.13eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility standards, and
2.14application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.
2.15 (c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die
2.16on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101,
2.17paragraph (2) eligible persons under subdivision 8.
2Sec. 2.
23-02438 as introduced01/17/23 REVISOR BD/AD