Omnibus Veterans policy and appropriations

The posting date for the bill was updated from April 25, 2025, to April 21, 2026, indicating a revision in the legislative timeline.

Veterans who served in the secret war in Laos are now explicitly included in the list of individuals eligible for specific statutory benefits and privileges previously reserved for other veterans.

The process for selecting a memorial plaque design was changed to require adherence to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board's commemorative works rules and to include the commissioner of veterans affairs on the design review committee.

Total appropriations for veterans programs were reduced from approximately $141.9 million to $125.8 million, with specific line items for the 'Veteran Resilience Project' and 'Homeless Veterans Initiative' deleted and replaced with new grants.

A new 'Veterans on the Lake' grant of $1,000 was added to fund retreats for veterans, and a 'Fishing with Vets' grant of $1,000 was added for guided fishing trips.

The definition of a 'veteran of the Secret War in Laos' was expanded to include individuals who served with irregular forces in Laos, broadening the pool of eligible recipients for state benefits.

A restriction preventing surviving spouses from receiving federal education benefits after remarriage was removed, allowing remarried spouses to retain eligibility if they meet other criteria.

A new requirement mandates the commissioner of veterans affairs to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent veteran suicides, including strategies for community integration and coordination with other government entities.

The Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force membership was increased from nine to twelve members, including four legislators appointed by party leaders.

A new provision requires the commissioner of veterans affairs to calculate the average daily cost of care for veterans homes in Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji using data from Luverne and Fergus Falls for the first two years, expiring in 2027.

The deadline for the Laos Task Force to submit its report to the legislature was set as February 15, 2026.

Removed the section requiring veterans benefits services providers to be accredited by the federal government and to provide specific written disclosures to clients.

Required the commissioner of administration to place a memorial plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families on State Capitol grounds.

Established a new advisory task force to identify Minnesotans who served in secret guerilla units or irregular forces in Laos, with a deadline to submit a report by February 15, 2026.

Reorganized the definitions section of the veterans benefits section, updating terms like 'eligible veteran' and 'eligible spouse' to align with the new eligibility criteria for educational assistance.

A new section was added to provide statutory benefits to veterans of the Secret War in Laos, including those who served with special guerrilla units or irregular forces in Laos from 1961 to 1975.

County veterans service officers are now required to aid all veterans in securing counseling or treatment for substance use disorders, regardless of the nature of their military discharge.

The commissioner of veterans affairs must adopt eligibility criteria and begin accepting applications for the new Laos veterans benefits by March 30, 2026.

The bill text was renumbered and reorganized, with several sections deleted and new sections inserted, including a new section on Gold Star and Blue Star families memorial plaque.

Added new budget line items for the Veteran Resilience Project, CORE Program, LinkVet Call Center, Recently Separated Veterans Program, Homeless Veterans and SOAR Program, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, and Veteran Homelessness Initiative.

Adjusted specific budget amounts for existing programs, such as reducing the base appropriation for the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs and modifying the base for the County Veterans Service Office grant program.

Modified eligibility for the Minnesota GI Bill to explicitly state that a surviving spouse remains eligible for benefits even if they remarry, reversing a previous restriction.

Updated the definition of 'Eligible child' for the State Soldiers Assistance Program to include stepchildren, broadening the pool of eligible applicants.

Added new requirements for private providers of veterans' benefits services, including mandatory federal accreditation, background checks for staff accessing medical/financial data, and a prohibition on guaranteeing specific federal benefits to clients.

Added a new requirement that the commissioner of veterans affairs must obtain informed consent from individuals before accessing their private data in the MAXIS database for eligibility verification.

Modified the definition of 'Veterans benefits services' to explicitly include 'veterans benefits appeal services,' ensuring that advertising and disclosure rules apply to both initial claims and appeals.

Amended the State Armory Building Commission's authority to increase the maximum bonded indebtedness limit from $15,000,000 to $45,000,000.

Added a new requirement that private service providers must conspicuously disclose in advertisements that free services are available through county veterans service officers.

Added detailed definitions for terms like 'Claim,' 'Claimant,' 'Compensation,' 'Recognition,' 'Practice of law,' and 'Representation' to clarify the legal boundaries for private service providers.