1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; modifying eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.236, subdivisions 8, 9.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.236, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subd. 8.Eligibility. Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of:
1.7 	(1) service members who die on active duty, eligible;
1.8 	(2) veterans, and their spouses and dependent children, as defined in United States Code, 
1.9 	title 38, section 101, paragraph (2)., and their spouses and dependent children;
1.10 	(3) persons who qualify for burial in national veteran cemeteries pursuant to United 
1.11 	States Code, title 38, section 2402, paragraph (a), clause (10); and
1.12 	(4) individuals who the commissioner determines served honorably with a special 
1.13 	guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the armed forces 
1.14 	of the United States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending 
1.15 	May 7, 1975.

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
1.17 		Subd. 9.Burial fees. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish a fee 
1.18 	schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses 
1.19 	and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of 
1.20 	interment, excluding the value of the plot.
2.1 	(b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent 
2.2 	eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy, eligibility standards, and 
2.3 	application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.
2.4 	(c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of:
2.5 	(1) service members who die on active duty or eligible;
2.6 	(2) veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101, paragraph (2).;
2.7 	(3) persons who qualify for burial in national veteran cemeteries pursuant to United 
2.8 	States Code, title 38, section 2402, paragraph (a), clause (10); or
2.9 	(4) individuals who the commissioner determines served honorably with a special 
2.10 	guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the armed forces 
2.11 	of the United States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending 
2.12 	May 7, 1975.