This bill prohibits businesses in Minnesota from using automated systems to charge different prices or pay different wages to individuals based on surveillance data about their personal behaviors, biometrics, or other private information. It defines surveillance data to include details like browsing history, purchase records, and biological identifiers, while allowing price differences only when justified by actual service costs or standard group discounts like military or senior rates. The law also permits insurers to use risk-related data for pricing insurance policies, but restricts other entities from tailoring costs or compensation based on observed or inferred personal characteristics. Companies would need to demonstrate that any price or wage variations are based on legitimate business reasons rather than private surveillance of individuals or groups.
This bill expands eligibility for Minnesota state veterans homes to include former commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who served on active duty. To qualify, these individuals must have served at least 181 consecutive days or been separated due to a service-related disability, and must have been discharged under honorable conditions. The legislation amends existing state statutes to formally define these groups as veterans for the purpose of accessing nursing care and related health and social services at state veterans homes.
This bill modifies small business contracting rules for the Metropolitan Council and related Minnesota state agencies, primarily affecting how these entities award contracts to small businesses. It allows agencies to give preference awards to small targeted group and veteran-owned businesses, set subcontracting goals for prime contractors, and award contracts directly to these businesses without competitive bidding under certain conditions. The legislation also requires prime contractors to pay subcontractors within ten days of receiving payment and mandates a legislative report on compliance with these new requirements.
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This bill appropriates $100,000 from Minnesota's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to support sports programs for children of military personnel and veterans. The funds will be given to the United Heroes League, a nonprofit organization, to provide sports experiences, equipment, camps, and related activities for these children. This is a one-time appropriation intended to help the organization deliver its programs without requiring additional funding in future years. The legislation is currently in its early stages and has been referred to the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development committee for review.
This bill prohibits Minnesota municipalities from charging fees for residential improvements needed to accommodate a veteran's disability. It directly affects veterans with service-connected physical or mental impairments who need home modifications, as well as local governments that would otherwise collect permit and inspection fees for such projects. The law requires veterans to provide proof of their status and disability-related need, but prevents municipalities from refusing permits or inspections due to unpaid fees related to these specific improvements. The bill takes effect immediately upon final enactment.
This bill creates a permanent Commanders Task Force to advise Minnesota's governor, legislature, and Department of Veterans Affairs on issues affecting veterans and their families. The task force will be composed of elected leaders from eight major veteran service organizations operating in the state, including the American Legion, VFW, and Disabled American Veterans. Members will meet regularly to discuss policy matters and act as a communication bridge between state government and veteran groups, but they will not receive any payment or expense reimbursement for their service.
This bill appropriates $200,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to provide a grant to Helping Paws, Inc. for breeding, training, and placing service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, veterans and first responders with service-related PTSD, and professionals working in courthouse, educational, and mental health settings. The funding is designated as a one-time honorarium in memory of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. The commissioner of health may also accept private donations to supplement the state appropriation, with all such funds deposited in a dedicated account that expires on July 1, 2028.
This bill modifies Minnesota's military pay structure by updating the minimum daily pay for state active duty personnel. It requires commissioned officers and enlisted members to receive state pay equal to current federal military rates for their grade and service length, with a new floor of basic pay equivalent to an E-5 pay grade. The legislation replaces the previous $130 daily minimum with this federal-based standard while repealing the old provision that allowed the $130 minimum to apply regardless of federal rates.
This bill modifies eligibility requirements for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to include honorably discharged National Guard and reserve component members along with their spouses and dependent children. It establishes a fee schedule for these new eligible groups that covers actual interment costs while allowing fee waivers for indigent applicants, while maintaining free burial for service members who die on active duty and other eligible veterans. The legislation also clarifies that cemeteries must operate solely for the burial of these specified groups and their families.
This bill expands state veterans benefits to include Minnesota residents who served in the Secret War in Laos, specifically those who were naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act or who served honorably with special guerrilla units or irregular forces in Laos between 1961 and 1975. The legislation directs the commissioner of veterans affairs to create an eligibility verification process and issue certificates of eligibility for these veterans, granting them access to benefits such as veteran designation on driver's licenses, civil service recruitment opportunities, employment preference, and burial fee waivers. The bill also allows the commissioner to establish a fee schedule for interment of eligible spouses and dependents of these veterans, with provisions for fee waivers for indigent applicants. Technical changes are made to existing statutes to incorporate these new definitions and benefits, with an effective date of July 2, 2025 for most provisions.
