This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to eliminate the burial fee for spouses and dependents of eligible veterans in state veterans cemeteries. Specifically, it removes the requirement for the commissioner of veterans affairs to establish a fee schedule for interment and prohibits any burial fees for these individuals. The bill also deletes provisions that allowed for the waiver or reduction of burial fees for indigent eligible persons, thereby ensuring that all eligible spouses and dependents can be interred without cost.

Additionally, the bill appropriates funds from the general fund to cover the uncompensated burial costs for these eligible dependents. The appropriated amounts are specified for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the necessary resources to implement this no-fee burial policy. Overall, the bill aims to provide greater support and recognition for the families of veterans by alleviating the financial burden associated with burial costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 190.19, 197.236