Minnesota2026Passed Legislature
HF3544
Changes to Veterans Benefits and Environmental Hazards Programs
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM
In one sentence
This law stops veterans who lost federal benefits from getting state help, ends a program about chemical exposure risks, and adds a new deputy commissioner role.
What it does
- Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint a new deputy commissioner for administration alongside existing roles.
- Stops veterans or former service members from receiving state-funded benefits if they have lost their federal benefits due to forfeiture rules under U.S. law.
- Ends the Environmental Hazards Information and Assistance Act, which previously provided information on chemical exposure risks like Agent Orange.
- Removes laws that created a specific section within the department for handling environmental hazard cases.
Who it affects
- Veterans or former armed forces members who have forfeited their federal benefits under U.S. law.
- The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and its commissioners.
- Health professionals and veterans seeking information about chemical exposure risks previously covered by the repealed act.
Limits and unknowns
- The text does not list specific dates when these changes will take effect.
- The bill removes laws about chemical exposure but does not create a new program to replace them in this document.
- It is unclear how many veterans might lose state benefits based on federal forfeiture decisions.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Forfeiture
- When a person loses their right to receive benefits, often due to specific legal actions or court decisions under federal law.
- Chemical agents
- Substances like Agent Orange that may harm the health of military service members during war.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits made ineligible for state-funded benefits, services, or programs; and environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans discontinued.
Official activity
Bill history
- Presented to Governor 04/20/2026House
- Presentment date 04/20/26Senate
- Returned from SenateHouse
- Special OrderSenate
- Comm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders SF4072Senate
- Received from HouseSenate
- Third readingHouse
- House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, April 13, 2026House
- Committee report, to adopt as amendedHouse
- Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Health Finance and PolicyHouse
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Veterans and Military Affairs DivisionHouse