Bill to let surviving spouses keep education benefit after remarriage cleared by committee amendment and laid over

House File 2410, sponsored by the committee chair, would allow a surviving spouse of a veteran killed in the line of duty to continue receiving Minnesota veterans assistance education benefits after remarriage. The division considered and adopted an A1 amendment to clarify and better align the provision with federal law before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the division omnibus.

Leah Patton, executive director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, testified in support and described the measure as removing a financial disincentive that could force surviving spouses to choose between remarriage and an earned education benefit. "These spouses should not be forced to decide between getting remarried and being able to continue their college education," Patton said.

Ben Johnson, deputy commissioner for Grama and Services at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, said the agency supports continuing benefits for surviving spouses and noted the fiscal note is minimal (the department cited an approximate fiscal impact of about $8,000). He said the agency's concern in past discussions has been to ensure any expansion remains compatible with federal law; committee members and sponsors said the A1 amendment addresses that concern.

Committee members asked about program mechanics; the chair noted the Minnesota Veterans Assistance program provides a one‑time grant (currently $750) that is last‑dollar assistance. The division adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote and laid the amended bill over for possible inclusion in the division omnibus.