HF2444 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Veterans and military affairs policy and finance bill.
Related bill: SF1959
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to allocate funding and establish policies to support Minnesota's Department of Military Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs. It also seeks to honor families of military personnel and address various initiatives to support veterans, including those who served in secret operations.
Main Provisions
- Budget Appropriations: Specifies funding allocations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for both military and veteran affairs. The budget covers maintenance of training facilities, enlistment incentives, emergency services, and operation of state veterans homes.
- Gold Star and Blue Star Families Memorial: Mandates the placement of a memorial plaque on the State Capitol grounds to honor families who have lost a family member in military service.
- Veterans Programs: Continues the support for veteran service organizations and allocates funding for various programs such as veteran suicide prevention, homeless veterans aid, and Minnesota GI Bill administration.
- Veterans Health and Services: Establishes funding for veterans' cemeteries, outreach services, and the operation of a veterans call center.
- Specific Veterans Assistance: Allocates funds for organizations providing tailored services to veterans, such as fishing trips, therapy retreats, and mentorship programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Advisory Task Force: Establishes the Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force to explore historical matters and provide necessary reports.
- Military Pay: Adjusts the minimum daily pay for officers and enlisted persons when called into state active service.
- State Armory Funding: Increases the total bonded indebtedness limit for the State Armory Building Commission from $15 million to $45 million.
- Access to Information: Provides the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs access to certain databases for verifying veterans’ eligibility for programs and benefits.
Relevant Terms
- Appropriations
- Gold Star Families
- Blue Star Families
- Secret Guerilla Units
- Veteran Services
- Military Pay
- State Armory
- Veterans Affairs Policy
- Minnesota GI Bill
- Suicide Prevention
- Veterans Support Programs
Past committee meetings
- Ways and Means on: April 21, 2025 13:00
- Ways and Means on: April 24, 2025 12:30
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Veterans and Military Affairs Division |
| April 09, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to | Ways and Means |
| House | Floor | Action | See Senate file in House |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Veterans Stable Housing Initiative to the list of programs covered."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section is amended to update privacy statutes related to the State Soldiers Assistance Program.",
"modified": [
"How access to certain data is governed by section 197.065."
]
},
"citation": "13.461",
"subdivision": "subdivision 27"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section is amended to address compensation for commissioned officers of the military forces.",
"modified": [
"Minimum pay rate is updated to $130 per day."
]
},
"citation": "192.49",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section is amended to address compensation for enlisted persons of the military forces.",
"modified": [
"Minimum pay rate is updated to $130 per day."
]
},
"citation": "192.49",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"A stipend of five percent of basic pay for pension inequity compensation."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Introduces a pension offset stipend for service members in state active service.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "192.49",
"subdivision": "new subdivision 2a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorization for partnerships with federal and state governments and local funds."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section relates to the State Armory Building Commission's powers and is amended to increase bonding and the total indebtedness limit.",
"modified": [
"Total bonded indebtedness increased from $15 million to $45 million."
]
},
"citation": "193.143",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explicit access permissions for the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends access permissions to the MAXIS database for verifying veterans' program eligibility.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the continuation of ensuring veterans are connected to resources."
]
},
"citation": "197.065",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This subdivision concerning cemetery burial eligibility is amended to clarify eligible individuals.",
"modified": [
"Includes references to United States Code for service member eligibility."
]
},
"citation": "197.236",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides specific guidance for indigent eligibility and application processes."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section is related to burial fees and is amended to clarify conditions for waive or reduce fees.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies no fees for burial of active duty members and eligible veterans."
]
},
"citation": "197.236",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Definitions applicable to this section concerning Minnesota residency and educational benefits.",
"modified": [
"Revises definitions for deceased veteran, eligible veteran, spouse, and child."
]
},
"citation": "197.75",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section on educational assistance eligibility is being modified to clarify requirements.",
"modified": [
"Updates requirements for documentation and compliance for eligibility."
]
},
"citation": "197.791",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
}
]