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SF1959 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Omnibus Veterans policy and appropriations

Related bill: HF2444

AI Generated Summary

This bill, S.F. No. 1959, relates to state government funding for military and veterans affairs in Minnesota, covering budget appropriations, statutory changes regarding veterans benefits services, and the establishment of a memorial plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families.

Key Provisions:

Article 1: Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs Appropriations

  • Funding allocations for the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the 2026-2027 biennium.
  • Military Affairs:
    • $30 million (2026) and $33.4 million (2027) in total.
    • Funding for training facility maintenance, enlistment incentives, holistic health initiatives for the Minnesota Army National Guard, and emergency services.
    • Enlistment incentives funds available until June 30, 2029.
  • Veterans Affairs:
    • $141.9 million (2026) and $146.7 million (2027) in total.
    • Funding for veterans programs, veterans health care, and suicide prevention efforts.
    • Allocation for Veteran Community Health Navigators in community hospitals.
    • Requires maximization of federal Medicare reimbursements.

Article 2: Military and Veterans Affairs Statutory Changes

  • Regulation of Veterans Benefits Services:

    • Requires providers of veterans benefits services to be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    • Prohibits guarantees of specific veterans benefits in exchange for compensation.
    • Establishes civil penalties ($1,000 per violation) for noncompliance, enforceable by the Attorney General.
    • Collected penalties will be deposited in the Support Our Troops account.

  • Gold Star and Blue Star Families Memorial Plaque:

    • Directs the commissioner of administration to place a memorial plaque on the State Capitol grounds.
    • The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board will solicit public design submissions and select a design.
    • The final plaque design must be approved by the commissioner of veterans affairs and provided at no cost to the state.

Summary:

This bill allocates funding for military and veterans affairs in Minnesota, regulates veterans benefits service providers, and honors Gold Star and Blue Star families with a new memorial plaque at the Capitol. The legislation emphasizes veterans services, health care, benefits protections, and recognition of military families' sacrifices.

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 27, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 27, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
March 27, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
April 03, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
April 07, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toFinance
April 10, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended
April 10, 2025SenateFloorActionSecond reading
April 23, 2025SenateFloorActionSpecial Order: Amended
April 23, 2025SenateFloorActionThird reading Passed as amended
April 24, 2025HouseFloorActionReceived from Senate
April 24, 2025HouseFloorActionSenate file first reading, referred toWays and Means
April 25, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended
April 25, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
April 28, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 29, 2025HouseFloorActionAmended
April 29, 2025HouseFloorActionThird reading as amended
April 29, 2025HouseFloorActionBill was passed as amended
April 30, 2025SenateFloorActionReturned from House with amendment
April 30, 2025SenateFloorActionLaid on table
May 01, 2025HouseFloorActionSenate refuses to concur, conference committee requested
May 01, 2025HouseFloorActionSenate refuses to concur, conference committee of 3 requested
May 01, 2025HouseFloorActionSenate conferees
May 01, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse accedes, conference committee of 4 to be appointed
May 01, 2025SenateFloorActionTaken from table
May 01, 2025SenateFloorActionTaken from table
May 01, 2025SenateFloorActionSenate not concur, conference committee of 3 requested
May 01, 2025SenateFloorActionSenate conferees
May 05, 2025SenateFloorActionHouse conferees
May 17, 2025HouseFloorActionSenate adopted conference committee report, bill repassed
May 17, 2025HouseFloorActionConference committee report, delete everything
May 17, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse adopted conference committee report
May 17, 2025SenateFloorActionConference committee report, delete everything
May 17, 2025SenateFloorActionConference committee report, delete everything
May 17, 2025SenateFloorActionSenate adopted CC report and repassed bill
May 17, 2025SenateFloorActionSenate adopted CC report and repassed bill
May 17, 2025SenateFloorActionThird Reading Repassed
May 18, 2025SenateFloorActionHouse adopted SCC report and repassed bill
HouseFloorActionPresented to Governor
HouseNoteActionGovernor approval
HouseNoteActionChapter number
SenateNoteActionPresentment date
HouseFloorActionSecretary of State, Filed
HouseNoteActionChapter number
SenateNoteActionGovernor's action Approval
SenateNoteActionSecretary of State
SenateNoteActionEffective date

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Updated access provisions for the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies access to veteran program information under section 13.461 subdivision 27.",
      "modified": [
        "Verification of eligibility for veteran programs through section 197.065."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.461",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 27"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows increased total bonded indebtedness up to $45,000,000."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section amends the powers of the State Armory Building Commission under 193.143.",
      "modified": [
        "Collaboration with federal and local funds for armory purposes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "193.143",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Informed consent requirement for accessing MAXIS database."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to database access for verifying veterans' program eligibility.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "197.065",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Eligibility for state veterans cemeteries under 197.236 subdivision 8.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies eligible persons for burial based on federal code."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.236",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision to waive burial fees for indigent persons."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Updated burial fees and eligibility waivers under 197.236 subdivision 9.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified conditions under which burial fees can be waived or reduced."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.236",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments related to honor guards at veteran funerals under 197.231.",
      "modified": [
        "Funding provisions for honor guards."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.231",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional roles for technical assistance coordinators."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Grants for county veteran service offices updated under 197.608 subdivision 6.",
      "modified": [
        "Grant amounts based on county veteran population."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.608",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Eligibility criteria for educational assistance for veterans as defined in 197.791 subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarity on educational benefits and residency requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.791",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definitions related to higher education benefits for veterans in 197.75 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Eligibility definitions for spouse and children of veterans."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.75",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Duties of county veterans service officers as described in 197.603 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Provision for veterans to seek assistance outside their county of residence."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.603",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

Enacted

Sponsors