1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of Military 
1.3 	Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs; requiring the commissioner of 
1.4 	administration to place a memorial plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star 
1.5 	families on State Capitol grounds; establishing a Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units 
1.6 	and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force; requiring reports; transferring 
1.7 	money; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 13.461, 
1.8 	subdivision 27; 192.49, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 193.143; 
1.9 	197.065; 197.236, subdivisions 8, 9; 197.75, subdivision 1; 197.791, subdivision 
1.10 	4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.
1.11 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.12 	ARTICLE 1
1.13 	MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS

1.14	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.15 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
1.16 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
1.17 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
1.18 	The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
1.19 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. 
1.20 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" 
1.21 	is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

1.22				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.23				Available for the Year
	
1.24				Ending June 30
	
1.25					2026
		2027

1.26	Sec. 2. MILITARY AFFAIRS

2.1	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	26,872,000
	$
	27,081,000
	
2.2 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.3 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.4 	subdivisions.

2.5	Subd. 2.Maintenance of Training Facilities
 		10,067,000
		10,067,000

2.6	Subd. 3.General Support
 		4,391,000
		4,600,000

2.7	Subd. 4.Enlistment Incentives
 		12,114,000
		12,114,000
	
2.8 	The appropriations in this subdivision are 
2.9 	available until June 30, 2029.
2.10 	If the amount for fiscal year 2026 is 
2.11 	insufficient, the amount for 2027 is available 
2.12 	in fiscal year 2026. Any unencumbered 
2.13 	balance does not cancel at the end of the first 
2.14 	year and is available for the second year.

2.15	Subd. 5.Emergency Services
 		300,000
		300,000

2.16	Sec. 3. VETERANS AFFAIRS

2.17	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	125,804,000
	$
	126,847,000
	
2.18 	The base for this appropriation is 
2.19 	$126,756,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each 
2.20 	fiscal year thereafter. The amounts that may 
2.21 	be spent for each purpose are specified in the 
2.22 	following subdivisions.

2.23	Subd. 2.Veterans Programs and Services
 		25,617,000
		25,494,000
	
2.24 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.25 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.26 	paragraphs.
2.27 	(a) State Veterans Cemeteries. $3,782,000 
2.28 	each year is for the operation of the state 
2.29 	veterans cemeteries.
2.30 	(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
2.31 	$500,000 each year is for grants to the 
2.32 	following congressionally chartered veterans 
3.1 	service organizations as designated by the 
3.2 	commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, 
3.3 	Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 
3.4 	American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
3.5 	AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of 
3.6 	America. This funding must be allocated in 
3.7 	direct proportion to the funding currently 
3.8 	being provided by the commissioner to these 
3.9 	organizations.
3.10 	(c) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for 
3.11 	compensation for honor guards at the funerals 
3.12 	of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 
3.13 	197.231.
3.14 	(d) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is 
3.15 	for the costs of administering the Minnesota 
3.16 	GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits, 
3.17 	on-the-job training, and apprenticeship 
3.18 	program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
3.19 	197.791.
3.20 	(e) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year 
3.21 	is for administering the Gold Star Program for 
3.22 	surviving family members of deceased 
3.23 	veterans.
3.24 	(f) County Veterans Service Office.
3.25 	$1,610,000 each year is for the County 
3.26 	Veterans Service Office grant program under 
3.27 	Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608. Of this 
3.28 	amount, $20,000 is for a women veterans 
3.29 	technical assistance coordinator, $20,000 is 
3.30 	for a veteran suicide prevention technical 
3.31 	assistance coordinator, and $20,000 is for a 
3.32 	justice-involved veteran technical assistance 
3.33 	coordinator. Any unencumbered balance in 
3.34 	the first year does not cancel and is available 
3.35 	in the second year.
4.1 	(g) Comprehensive Plan to Prevent Veteran 
4.2 	Suicides in Minnesota.  The commissioner 
4.3 	shall develop a comprehensive plan to prevent 
4.4 	Minnesota veterans from dying by suicide. 
4.5 	The plan must include:
4.6 	(1) a community integration and collaboration 
4.7 	strategy that brings together veteran-serving 
4.8 	organizations to provide veterans with 
4.9 	coordinated services and supports, including 
4.10 	services and supports related to employment, 
4.11 	health, housing, benefits, recreation, education, 
4.12 	and social connections;
4.13 	(2) strategies to promote a sense of belonging 
4.14 	and purpose among veterans by connecting 
4.15 	veterans with each other, with civilians, and 
4.16 	with the veteran's communities through a 
4.17 	range of activities, including physical activity, 
4.18 	community service, and disaster response 
4.19 	efforts; and
4.20 	(3) an implementation strategy that identifies 
4.21 	opportunities to coordinate existing efforts 
4.22 	within federal, state, local, and Tribal 
4.23 	governments and nongovernmental entities 
4.24 	and includes a description of the policy 
4.25 	changes and resources that are required to 
4.26 	prevent veteran suicides.
4.27 	The commissioner must submit a report 
4.28 	containing the required plan to the chairs and 
4.29 	ranking minority members of the legislative 
4.30 	committees with jurisdiction over veterans 
4.31 	affairs policy and finance by February 15, 
4.32 	2026.
4.33 	(h) Homeless Veterans and SOAR Program.
4.34 	$1,394,000 each year is to operate the 
5.1 	homeless veteran registry and homeless 
5.2 	programs and to assist veterans, former service 
5.3 	members, and veterans' and former service 
5.4 	members' dependents with obtaining federal 
5.5 	benefits through the Social Security 
5.6 	Administration. The commissioner of veterans 
5.7 	affairs may use money for personnel, training, 
5.8 	research, marketing, and professional or 
5.9 	technical contracts.
5.10 	(i) State Soldiers Assistance Program.
5.11 	$5,600,000 each year is for veteran financial 
5.12 	assistance through the state soldiers assistance 
5.13 	program.
5.14 	(j) Higher Education Veterans Assistance.
5.15 	$1,629,000 each year is for veterans higher 
5.16 	education assistance.
5.17 	(k) Claims and Outreach Office. $3,621,000 
5.18 	each year is for the claims and outreach office 
5.19 	to assist veterans and the veterans' families in 
5.20 	accessing benefits and services.
5.21 	(l) Camp Bliss. $1,000 the first year is for a 
5.22 	grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc., to 
5.23 	provide therapy, transportation, and activities 
5.24 	customized for veterans who are Minnesota 
5.25 	residents and the veterans' spouses, domestic 
5.26 	partners, and children at Camp Bliss in the 
5.27 	city of Walker. The commissioner of veterans 
5.28 	affairs must report to the chairs and ranking 
5.29 	minority members of the legislative 
5.30 	committees with jurisdiction over veterans 
5.31 	affairs on:
5.32 	(1) the number of veterans and veterans' 
5.33 	family members served; and
6.1 	(2) a detailed explanation of expenditures of 
6.2 	the grant money.
6.3 	(m) Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and 
6.4 	Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task 
6.5 	Force. $118,000 the first year is for the 
6.6 	commissioner to staff and support the work 
6.7 	of Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and 
6.8 	Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force.
6.9 	(n) Metro Meals on Wheels. $250,000 each 
6.10 	year is for a grant to Metro Meals on Wheels 
6.11 	to provide: (1) home-delivered meals to 
6.12 	veterans; and (2) technical, enrollment, 
6.13 	outreach, and volunteer recruitment assistance 
6.14 	to member programs. Metro Meals on Wheels 
6.15 	must report to the commissioner of veterans 
6.16 	affairs and the chairs and ranking minority 
6.17 	members of the legislative committees with 
6.18 	jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and 
6.19 	finance by September 1 each year with a 
6.20 	detailed explanation of how the grant money 
6.21 	was used and the number of veterans and 
6.22 	service members served by the program. The 
6.23 	base for this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal 
6.24 	year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter.
6.25 	(o) Hometown Hero Outdoors. $1,000 the 
6.26 	first year is for a grant to Hometown Hero 
6.27 	Outdoors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 
6.28 	based in Stillwater, Minnesota, to fund outdoor 
6.29 	recreational activities and mental health 
6.30 	services for currently serving military 
6.31 	personnel and veterans to promote positive 
6.32 	mental health and interactions with mental 
6.33 	health service professionals; to promote 
6.34 	longevity and quality of life through outdoor 
6.35 	activities and mental health services, including 
7.1 	public education; and to ensure that the 
7.2 	organization is able to continue supporting 
7.3 	persons who are currently serving or have 
7.4 	served in the military. Hometown Hero 
7.5 	Outdoors must report to the commissioner of 
7.6 	veterans affairs and the chairs and ranking 
7.7 	minority members of the legislative 
7.8 	committees with jurisdiction over veterans 
7.9 	affairs policy and finance no later than 
7.10 	September 1, 2026, and by September 1 of 
7.11 	each subsequent year. Each report must 
7.12 	include, at a minimum, a detailed explanation 
7.13 	of how the grant money was used and the 
7.14 	number of veterans served by the program.
7.15 	(p) Veterans on the Lake. $1,000 the first 
7.16 	year is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for 
7.17 	expenses related to retreats for veterans, 
7.18 	including therapy, transportation, and activities 
7.19 	customized for veterans. Veterans on the Lake 
7.20 	must report to the commissioner of veterans 
7.21 	affairs and the chairs and ranking minority 
7.22 	members of the legislative committees with 
7.23 	jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and 
7.24 	finance no later than September 1, 2026, and 
7.25 	by September 1 of each subsequent year. Each 
7.26 	report must include, at a minimum, a detailed 
7.27 	explanation of how the grant money was used 
7.28 	and the number of veterans served by the 
7.29 	program.
7.30 	(q) Fishing with Vets. $1,000 the first year is 
7.31 	for a grant to Fishing with Vets to organize 
7.32 	and conduct guided fishing trips for veterans 
7.33 	across Minnesota. Fishing with Vets must 
7.34 	report to the commissioner of veterans affairs 
7.35 	and the chairs and ranking minority members 
8.1 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
8.2 	over veterans affairs policy and finance no 
8.3 	later than September 1, 2026, and by 
8.4 	September 1 of each subsequent year. Each 
8.5 	report must include, at a minimum, a detailed 
8.6 	explanation of how the grant money was used 
8.7 	and the number of veterans served by the 
8.8 	program.
8.9 	(r) Veteran Mentorship Program for Black 
8.10 	Youth. $1,000 the first year is for the 
8.11 	commissioner of veterans affairs to award a 
8.12 	grant to an organization to develop, operate, 
8.13 	and administer a veteran mentorship program 
8.14 	to prevent youth violence through employing 
8.15 	veterans who will mentor Black youth and 
8.16 	assisting Black youth in exploring career 
8.17 	opportunities in the armed forces. The grant 
8.18 	recipient must report to the commissioner of 
8.19 	veterans affairs and the chairs and ranking 
8.20 	minority members of the legislative 
8.21 	committees with jurisdiction over veterans 
8.22 	affairs policy and finance no later than 
8.23 	September 1, 2026, and by September 1 of 
8.24 	each subsequent year. Each report must 
8.25 	include, at a minimum, a detailed explanation 
8.26 	of how the grant money was used and the 
8.27 	number of veterans participating in the 
8.28 	program.
8.29 	(s) CORE Program. $1,475,000 each year is 
8.30 	for the Counseling and Case Management 
8.31 	Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) 
8.32 	program.
8.33 	(t) LinkVet Call Center. $369,000 each year 
8.34 	is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call 
8.35 	Center.
9.1 	(u) Recently Separated Veterans Program.
9.2 	$300,000 each year is for the operation of the 
9.3 	recently separated veterans program. The 
9.4 	commissioner of veterans affairs may use 
9.5 	Department of Defense and other veteran data 
9.6 	that was provided with an appropriate 
9.7 	disclosure to assist with connecting veterans 
9.8 	to resources and new programming. The 
9.9 	commissioner may use money for personnel, 
9.10 	research, marketing, technology solutions, and 
9.11 	professional or technical contracts.
9.12 	(v) Minnesota Military and Veterans 
9.13 	Museum. $300,000 each year is for a grant to 
9.14 	the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum 
9.15 	for museum staff to provide direct services to 
9.16 	veterans and their families.

9.17	Subd. 3.Veterans Health Care
 		100,187,000
		101,353,000
	
9.18 	(a) $98,137,000 the first year and $99,303,000 
9.19 	the second year may be transferred to a 
9.20 	veterans homes special revenue account in the 
9.21 	special revenue fund in the same manner as 
9.22 	other receipts are deposited according to 
9.23 	Minnesota Statutes, section 198.34, and are 
9.24 	appropriated to the commissioner of veterans 
9.25 	affairs for the operation of veterans homes 
9.26 	facilities and programs. The base for this 
9.27 	transfer is $99,204,000 in fiscal year 2028 and 
9.28 	each fiscal year thereafter.
9.29 	(b) The department shall seek opportunities 
9.30 	to maximize federal reimbursements of 
9.31 	Medicare-eligible expenses and provide annual 
9.32 	reports to the commissioner of management 
9.33 	and budget on the federal Medicare 
9.34 	reimbursements that are received. Contingent 
9.35 	upon future federal Medicare receipts, 
10.1 	reductions to the veterans homes' general fund 
10.2 	appropriation may be made.
10.3 	(c) $400,000 each year is for the department 
10.4 	to staff Veteran Community Health Navigators 
10.5 	in community-based hospitals.
10.6 	(d) $1,650,000 each year is for the department 
10.7 	to operate the veteran suicide prevention 
10.8 	program.
10.9 	(e) The commissioner of veterans affairs is 
10.10 	not required to perform the annual calculation 
10.11 	of the cost of care for veterans homes in 
10.12 	Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji in the first 
10.13 	year and second year. In the first year and 
10.14 	second year, the commissioner must calculate 
10.15 	the average daily cost of care per resident by 
10.16 	averaging the cost of care of veterans homes 
10.17 	in Luverne and Fergus Falls. The 
10.18 	commissioner must only use this method of 
10.19 	calculating the cost of care of veterans homes 
10.20 	in the first year and second year. This 
10.21 	paragraph expires June 30, 2027.

10.22 	ARTICLE 2
10.23 	MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY

10.24 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.461, subdivision 27, is amended to read:
10.25 		Subd. 27.State soldiers assistance program Veterans affairs programs. Access to 
10.26 	information for purposes of verifying eligibility for the State Soldiers Assistance Program, 
10.27 	the Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, and veterans programs is governed by section 
10.28 	197.065.

10.29 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 192.49, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.30 		Subdivision 1.Officers. Every commissioned officer of the military forces shall receive 
10.31 	from the state, while engaged in any state active service ordered by the governor as defined 
10.32 	in section 190.05, subdivision 5a, pay and allowances at the rate now or hereafter paid or 
11.1 	allowed by law to officers of the same grade and length of service in the armed forces of 
11.2 	the United States, but not less than $130 a day.

11.3 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 192.49, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
11.4 		Subd. 2.Enlisted persons. When called into state active service by the governor, other 
11.5 	than for encampment or maneuvers, including the time necessarily consumed in travel, each 
11.6 	enlisted person of the military forces shall be paid by the state the pay and the allowances, 
11.7 	when not furnished in kind, provided by law for enlisted persons of similar grade, rating, 
11.8 	and length of service in the armed forces of the United States, or $130 a day, whichever is 
11.9 	more.

11.10 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 192.49, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
11.11 	read:
11.12 		Subd. 2a.Pension offset stipend. The adjutant general is authorized to pay service 
11.13 	members ordered into state active service a stipend equivalent to five percent of basic pay 
11.14 	for the period of duty to compensate the service member for pension inequity compared to 
11.15 	similar federal service.

11.16 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 193.143, is amended to read:
11.17 	193.143 STATE ARMORY BUILDING COMMISSION, POWERS.
11.18 	Such corporation, subject to the conditions and limitations prescribed in sections 193.141 
11.19 	to 193.149, shall possess all the powers of a body corporate necessary and convenient to 
11.20 	accomplish the objectives and perform the duties prescribed by sections 193.141 to 193.149, 
11.21 	including the following, which shall not be construed as a limitation upon the general powers 
11.22 	hereby conferred:
11.23 	(1) To acquire by lease, purchase, gift, or condemnation proceedings all necessary right, 
11.24 	title, and interest in and to the lands required for a site for a new armory and all other real 
11.25 	or personal property required for the purposes contemplated by the Military Code and to 
11.26 	hold and dispose of the same, subject to the conditions and limitations herein prescribed; 
11.27 	provided that any such real or personal property or interest therein may be so acquired or 
11.28 	accepted subject to any condition which may be imposed thereon by the grantor or donor 
11.29 	and agreed to by such corporation not inconsistent with the proper use of such property by 
11.30 	the state for armory or military purposes as herein provided.
11.31 	(2) To exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by chapter 117, 
11.32 	for the purpose of acquiring any property which such corporation is herein authorized to 
12.1 	acquire by condemnation; provided, that the corporation may take possession of any such 
12.2 	property so to be acquired at any time after the filing of the petition describing the same in 
12.3 	condemnation proceedings; provided further, that this shall not preclude the corporation 
12.4 	from abandoning the condemnation of any such property in any case where possession 
12.5 	thereof has not been taken.
12.6 	(3) To construct and equip new armories as authorized herein; to pay therefor out of the 
12.7 	funds obtained as hereinafter provided and to hold, manage, and dispose of such armory, 
12.8 	equipment, and site as hereinafter provided. The total amount of bonds issued on account 
12.9 	of such armories shall not exceed the amount of the cost thereof; provided also, that the 
12.10 	total bonded indebtedness of the commission shall not at any time exceed the aggregate 
12.11 	sum of $15,000,000 $45,000,000.
12.12 	(4) To provide partnerships with federal and state governments and to match federal and 
12.13 	local funds, when available.
12.14 	(5) To sue and be sued.
12.15 	(6) To contract and be contracted with in any matter connected with any purpose or 
12.16 	activity within the powers of such corporations as herein specified; provided, that no officer 
12.17 	or member of such corporation shall be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in any 
12.18 	contract in which such corporation is interested.
12.19 	(7) To employ any and all professional and nonprofessional services and all agents, 
12.20 	employees, workers, and servants necessary and proper for the purposes and activities of 
12.21 	such corporation as authorized or contemplated herein and to pay for the same out of any 
12.22 	portion of the income of the corporation available for such purposes or activities. The officers 
12.23 	and members of such corporation shall not receive any compensation therefrom, but may 
12.24 	receive their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance 
12.25 	of their duties; provided however, that whenever the duties of any member of the commission 
12.26 	require full time and attention the commission may compensate the member therefor at such 
12.27 	rates as it may determine.
12.28 	(8) To borrow money and issue bonds for the purposes and in the manner and within 
12.29 	the limitations herein specified, and to pledge any and all property and income of such 
12.30 	corporation acquired or received as herein provided to secure the payment of such bonds, 
12.31 	subject to the provisions and limitations herein prescribed, and to redeem any such bonds 
12.32 	if so provided therein or in the mortgage or trust deed accompanying the same.
12.33 	(9) To use for the following purposes any available money received by such corporation 
12.34 	from any source as herein provided in excess of those required for the payment of the cost 
13.1 	of such armory and for the payment of any bonds issued by the corporation and interest 
13.2 	thereon according to the terms of such bonds or of any mortgage or trust deed accompanying 
13.3 	the same:
13.4 	(a) to pay the necessary incidental expenses of carrying on the business and activities 
13.5 	of the corporation as herein authorized;
13.6 	(b) to pay the cost of operating, maintaining, repairing, and improving such new armories;
13.7 	(c) if any further excess money remains, to purchase upon the open market at or above 
13.8 	or below the face or par value thereof any bonds issued by the corporation as herein 
13.9 	authorized, provided that any bonds so purchased shall thereupon be canceled.
13.10 	(10) To adopt and use a corporate seal.
13.11 	(11) To adopt all needful bylaws and rules for the conduct of business and affairs of 
13.12 	such corporation and for the management and use of all armories while under the ownership 
13.13 	and control of such corporation as herein provided, not inconsistent with the use of such 
13.14 	armory for armory or military purposes.
13.15 	(12) Such corporation shall issue no stock.
13.16 	(13) No officer or member of such corporation shall have any personal share or interest 
13.17 	in any funds or property of the corporation or be subject to any personal liability by reason 
13.18 	of any liability of the corporation.
13.19 	(14) The Minnesota State Armory Building Commission created under section 193.142 
13.20 	shall keep all money and credits received by it as a single fund, to be designated as the 
13.21 	"Minnesota State Armory Building Commission fund," with separate accounts for each 
13.22 	armory; and the commission may make transfers of money from funds appertaining to any 
13.23 	armory under its control for use for any other such armory; provided such transfers shall 
13.24 	be made only from money on hand, from time to time, in excess of the amounts required 
13.25 	to meet payments of interest or principal on bonds or other obligations appertaining to the 
13.26 	armory to which such funds pertain and only when necessary to pay expenses of construction, 
13.27 	operation, maintenance, debt service, and other obligations reasonable and necessary, of 
13.28 	such other armory; provided further, no such transfer of any money paid for the support of 
13.29 	any armory by the municipality in which such armory is situated shall be made by the 
13.30 	commission.
13.31 	(15) The corporation created under section 193.142 may designate one or more state or 
13.32 	national banks as depositories of its funds, and may provide, upon such conditions as the 
13.33 	corporation may determine, that the treasurer of the corporation shall be exempt from 
14.1 	personal liability for loss of funds deposited in any such depository due to the insolvency 
14.2 	or other acts or omissions of such depository.
14.3 	(16) The governor is empowered to apply for grants of money, equipment, and materials 
14.4 	which may be made available to the states by the federal government for leasing, building, 
14.5 	and equipping armories for the use of the military forces of the state which are reserve 
14.6 	components of the armed forces of the United States, whenever the governor is satisfied 
14.7 	that the conditions under which such grants are offered by the federal government, are for 
14.8 	the best interests of the state and are not inconsistent with the laws of the state relating to 
14.9 	armories, and to accept such grants in the name of the state. The Minnesota State Armory 
14.10 	Building Commission is designated as the agency of the state to receive such grants and to 
14.11 	use them for armory purposes as prescribed in this chapter, and by federal laws, and 
14.12 	regulations not inconsistent therewith.

14.13 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.065, is amended to read:
14.14 	197.065 ACCESS TO DATABASE.
14.15 	(a) Notwithstanding section 13.46, subdivision 2, the commissioner of veterans affairs 
14.16 	may electronically access the MAXIS database maintained by the Department of Human 
14.17 	ServicesChildren, Youth, and Families for the purpose of verifying eligibility status of 
14.18 	applicants for benefits under the State Soldiers Assistance Program, the Veterans Stable 
14.19 	Housing Initiative, and veterans programs. The commissioner may electronically access 
14.20 	the MAXIS database to ensure that veterans are connected to all available state and federal 
14.21 	resources for which the veterans are eligible.
14.22 	(b) In order to access any private data on individuals, as defined by section 13.02, 
14.23 	subdivision 12, pursuant to paragraph (a), the commissioner of veterans affairs must have 
14.24 	received informed consent from the subject of the data.

14.25 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
14.26 		Subd. 8.Eligibility. Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of service members 
14.27 	who die on active duty, eligible veterans, and their spouses and dependent children, as 
14.28 	defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101 2402, paragraph (2) (a), subparagraphs 
14.29 	1 to 5 and 7.

14.30 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
14.31 		Subd. 9.Burial fees. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs shall establish a fee 
14.32 	schedule, which may be adjusted from time to time, for the interment of eligible spouses 
15.1 	and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable the actual costs of 
15.2 	interment, excluding the value of the plot.
15.3 	(b) Upon application, the commissioner may waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent 
15.4 	eligible person. The commissioner shall develop maintain a policy, eligibility standards, 
15.5 	and application form for requests to waive or reduce the burial fee to indigent eligible 
15.6 	applicants.
15.7 	(c) No plot or interment fees may be charged for the burial of service members who die 
15.8 	on active duty or eligible veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101
15.9 	2402, paragraph (2) (a), subparagraphs 1 to 4 and 7.

15.10 	Sec. 9. [197.448] VETERAN OF THE SECRET WAR IN LAOS.
15.11 		Subdivision 1.Definition. As used in this section, the term "veteran of the secret war 
15.12 	in Laos" means a person who resides in Minnesota and who:
15.13 	(1) was naturalized as provided in section 2(1) of the federal Hmong Veterans' 
15.14 	Naturalization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-207; or
15.15 	(2) is a person who the commissioner of veterans affairs determines served honorably 
15.16 	with a special guerrilla unit or with irregular forces that operated from a base in Laos in 
15.17 	support of the armed forces of the United States at any time during the period beginning 
15.18 	February 28, 1961, and ending May 14, 1975, and is a citizen of the United States or an 
15.19 	alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
15.20 		Subd. 2.Eligibility for benefits and privileges. (a) A veteran of the secret war in Laos, 
15.21 	as defined in subdivision 1, clause (1), is entitled to the benefits and privileges listed in 
15.22 	paragraph (c) the day following the effective date of this act.
15.23 	(b) A veteran of the secret war in Laos, as defined in subdivision 1, clause (2), is entitled 
15.24 	to the benefits and privileges listed in paragraph (c) after the commissioner of veterans 
15.25 	affairs verifies the person's veteran status. The commissioner must not begin accepting 
15.26 	applications for verification until the legislature enacts criteria and a protocol to determine:
15.27 	(1) which Minnesotans served in secret guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos; 
15.28 	and
15.29 	(2) which of the Minnesotans who served in secret guerilla units or with irregular forces 
15.30 	in Laos are deserving of Minnesota veterans benefits.
15.31 	(c) The following statutory benefits and privileges available to a veteran, as defined in 
15.32 	section 197.447, are also available to a veteran of the secret war in Laos: section 171.07, 
16.1 	subdivision 15 (veteran designation on drivers' licenses and state identification cards); 
16.2 	section 197.23 (purchase of grave markers); section 197.231 (honor guards); section 197.236 
16.3 	(state veterans cemeteries); section 197.455 (veterans preference); section 197.4551 
16.4 	(permissive preference for veterans in private employment); section 197.55 (quarters for 
16.5 	meetings of veterans organizations); section 197.56 (use of quarters); section 197.58 (veterans 
16.6 	organizations); section 197.61 (veterans service organizations grant program); section 197.63 
16.7 	(vital records, certified copies); section 197.65 (renewal of professional license, motor 
16.8 	vehicle registration, and driver's license); and section 197.987 (honor and remember flag).

16.9 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
16.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
16.11 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
16.12 	(c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who has died as a result of the person's military 
16.13 	service, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration, and who was a resident 
16.14 	of this state: (1) within six months of entering the United States armed forces, or (2) for the 
16.15 	six months preceding the veteran's date of death.
16.16 	(d) "Eligible child" means a person who:
16.17 	(1) is the natural or adopted child or stepchild of a deceased veteran; and
16.18 	(2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher 
16.19 	education.
16.20 	(e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in this 
16.21 	state that either is operated by this state or the Board of Regents of the University of 
16.22 	Minnesota, or is licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education.
16.23 	(f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran, regardless of 
16.24 	whether the surviving spouse remarries.
16.25 	(g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:
16.26 	(1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher 
16.27 	education;
16.28 	(2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's enlistment 
16.29 	or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the person's federal 
16.30 	form DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the commissioner;
17.1 	(3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related 
17.2 	educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and
17.3 	(4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a resident 
17.4 	student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.
17.5 	(h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, 
17.6 	subdivision 10.
17.7 	(i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.
17.8 	(j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.

17.9 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.791, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
17.10 		Subd. 4.Eligibility. (a) A person is eligible for educational assistance under subdivision 
17.11 	5 if:
17.12 	(1) the person is:
17.13 	(i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United 
17.14 	States armed forces at any time;
17.15 	(ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively 
17.16 	as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of 
17.17 	the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 
17.18 	11, 2001;
17.19 	(iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who 
17.20 	has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is 
17.21 	eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, 
17.22 	as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended, except that remarriage 
17.23 	does not terminate a surviving spouse's eligibility; or
17.24 	(iv) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who 
17.25 	has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans 
17.26 	Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits 
17.27 	under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, 
17.28 	chapter 35, as amended; and
17.29 	(2) the person receiving the educational assistance is a Minnesota resident, as defined 
17.30 	in section 136A.101, subdivision 8; and
17.31 	(3) the person receiving the educational assistance:
18.1 	(i) is an undergraduate or graduate student at an eligible institution;
18.2 	(ii) is maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution for students 
18.3 	participating in federal Title IV programs;
18.4 	(iii) is enrolled in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at 
18.5 	an eligible institution;
18.6 	(iv) has applied for educational assistance under this section prior to the end of the 
18.7 	academic term for which the assistance is being requested;
18.8 	(v) is in compliance with child support payment requirements under section 136A.121, 
18.9 	subdivision 2, clause (5); and
18.10 	(vi) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
18.11 	(b) A person's eligibility terminates when the person becomes eligible for benefits under 
18.12 	section 135A.52.
18.13 	(c) To determine eligibility, the commissioner may require official documentation, 
18.14 	including the person's federal form DD-214 or other official military discharge papers; 
18.15 	correspondence from the United States Veterans Administration; birth certificate; marriage 
18.16 	certificate; proof of enrollment at an eligible institution; signed affidavits; proof of residency; 
18.17 	proof of identity; or any other official documentation the commissioner considers necessary 
18.18 	to determine eligibility.
18.19 	(d) The commissioner may deny eligibility or terminate benefits under this section to 
18.20 	any person who has not provided sufficient documentation to determine eligibility for the 
18.21 	program. An applicant may appeal the commissioner's eligibility determination or termination 
18.22 	of benefits in writing to the commissioner at any time. The commissioner must rule on any 
18.23 	application or appeal within 30 days of receipt of all documentation that the commissioner 
18.24 	requires. The decision of the commissioner regarding an appeal is final. However, an 
18.25 	applicant whose appeal of an eligibility determination has been rejected by the commissioner 
18.26 	may submit an additional appeal of that determination in writing to the commissioner at 
18.27 	any time that the applicant is able to provide substantively significant additional information 
18.28 	regarding the applicant's eligibility for the program. An approval of an applicant's eligibility 
18.29 	by the commissioner following an appeal by the applicant is not retroactively effective for 
18.30 	more than one year or the semester of the person's original application, whichever is later.
18.31 	(e) Upon receiving an application with insufficient documentation to determine eligibility, 
18.32 	the commissioner must notify the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the application that 
19.1 	the application is being suspended pending receipt by the commissioner of sufficient 
19.2 	documentation from the applicant to determine eligibility.

19.3 	Sec. 12. [197.989] GOLD STAR AND BLUE STAR FAMILIES; MEMORIAL 
19.4 	PLAQUE.
19.5 		Subdivision 1.Purpose. The state of Minnesota wishes to honor and recognize the 
19.6 	service and sacrifices of Gold Star and Blue Star families.
19.7 		Subd. 2.Memorial plaque. The commissioner of administration shall place a memorial 
19.8 	plaque in the court of honor on State Capitol grounds to recognize the service and sacrifices 
19.9 	of Minnesota's Gold Star and Blue Star families. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning 
19.10 	Board must solicit design submissions from the public. The Capitol Area Architectural and 
19.11 	Planning Board shall select a design from the submitted designs to use as a basis for final 
19.12 	production. The selected design must be approved by the commissioner of veterans affairs 
19.13 	and must be furnished by the person or group who submitted the design at no cost to the 
19.14 	state of Minnesota.

19.15 	Sec. 13. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED; VETERANS OF SECRET 
19.16 	GUERILLA UNITS AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS.
 19.17 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; membership. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs 
19.18 	must establish a Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory 
19.19 	Task Force.
19.20 	(b) The advisory task force must consist of the commissioner, or a designee, and the 
19.21 	following additional 12 members appointed by the commissioner, except as otherwise 
19.22 	provided:
19.23 	(1) a representative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, appointed by 
19.24 	the United States Commissioner of Veterans Affairs;
19.25 	(2) a representative of the Minnesota Commanders Task Force designated by the 
19.26 	Commanders Task Force;
19.27 	(3) a representative of the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota;
19.28 	(4) a United States armed forces veteran who served on active duty in Vietnam during 
19.29 	the Vietnam War;
19.30 	(5) a Hmong American Minnesota resident who served in the United States armed forces;
19.31 	(6) a veteran of a secret guerilla unit or irregular forces in Laos;
20.1 	(7) a historian knowledgeable about the secret guerilla units and irregular forces in Laos;
20.2 	(8) a representative of the Minnesota Military Museum who has knowledge of the 
20.3 	Vietnam War designated by the museum's director; and
20.4 	(9) four legislators, with one member each appointed by the speaker of the house of 
20.5 	representatives, the house DFL leader, the senate majority leader, and the senate minority 
20.6 	leader.
20.7 		Subd. 2.Duties; report. (a) The task force must:
20.8 	(1) establish criteria for determining which Minnesotans served in the secret guerrilla 
20.9 	units or with irregular forces in Laos; and
20.10 	(2) establish criteria and a protocol to determine which Minnesotans who served in the 
20.11 	secret guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos are deserving of the benefits of a veteran 
20.12 	under Minnesota law and which veterans benefits should be extended to these Minnesotans.
20.13 	(b) The task force must prepare a report to the legislature that includes the findings, 
20.14 	criteria, protocol, and recommendations required under paragraph (a). The commissioner 
20.15 	must deliver the report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
20.16 	committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and finance by February 15, 2026.
20.17 		Subd. 3.Administration; terms of membership. The commissioner shall convene the 
20.18 	first meeting of the advisory task force by August 15, 2025, and provide staff support to 
20.19 	the advisory task force. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6, governs the terms 
20.20 	and removal of members of the advisory task force. Members of the task force serve without 
20.21 	compensation or per diem.
20.22 		Subd. 4.Expiration. The task force expires February 15, 2026.

	ARTICLE 1	MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS........	Page.Ln 1.12	
	ARTICLE 2	MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICY........	Page.Ln 10.22