Minnesota HF3544: 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.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to veterans; providing that certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits do not qualify for state-funded veterans benefits, services, or programs; discontinuing the environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 196.021; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 196.19; 196.21; 196.22, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5; 196.23; 196.24; 196.25; 196.26; 197.225.

From the engrossed text, March 18, 2026:

A bill for an act relating to veterans; providing that certain veterans or former members of the armed forces who have forfeited federal benefits do not qualify for state-funded veterans benefits, services, or programs; discontinuing the environmental hazards information and assistance program for veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 196.021; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 196.19; 196.21; 196.22, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5; 196.23; 196.24; 196.25; 196.26; 197.225. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 196.021, is amended to DUTIES. Subdivision 1. Appointment. The commissioner shall appoint a deputy commissioner for veteran servicesnew text begin [ADDED: , a deputy commissioner for administration,] new text end and a deputy commissioner for veteran health care. deleted text begin Bothdeleted text end Deputy commissioners serve in the unclassified service at the pleasure of the commissioner. deleted text begin Both deputiesdeleted text end new text begin [ADDED: Deputy commissioners] new text end must be residents of Minnesota, citizens of the United States, and veterans as defined in section 197.447. Subd. 2. Powers and duties. The deputy commissioner for veteran services deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin [ADDED: ,] new text end the deputy commissioner for veteran health carenew text begin [ADDED: , and the deputy commissioner for administration] new text end have …