State veterans cemeteries burial eligibility modifications

A bill for an act

relating to veterans; modifying eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 197.236, subdivisions 8,

9.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 197.236, subdivision 8, is amended

to read:

Subd. 8.

Eligibility.

Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of
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:
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(1)
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service members who die on active duty, eligible veterans, and their spouses and

dependent children, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 2402, paragraph (a),

subparagraphs 1 to 5 and 7
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; and
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(2) honorably discharged members of the National Guard or another reserve component

and the members' spouses and dependent children
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.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended

to read:

Subd. 9.

Burial fees.

(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish a fee

schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of
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honorably discharged

members of the National Guard or another reserve component and
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eligible spouses and

dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of interment,

excluding the value of the plot.

(b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent

eligible person. The commissioner shall maintain a policy, eligibility standards, and

application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.

(c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die

on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 2402,

paragraph (a), subparagraphs 1 to 4 and 7.