HF3919 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Benefits available to veterans of the Secret War in Laos modified, commissioner of veterans affairs directed to establish an eligibility process, and technical changes made.
Related bill: SF4075
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Modify and expand veterans benefits for people who served in the Secret War in Laos (SGU veterans) and create a clear eligibility process. The bill codifies SGU veterans as a distinct group within Minnesota’s veterans benefits framework and aligns their benefits with other statewide veteran programs.
Who is covered and how to qualify
- SGU veterans are defined as Minnesota residents who:
- served honorably in a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces based in Laos during Feb. 28, 1961 to May 14, 1975, and
- are a U.S. citizen or an alien permanently resident, or were naturalized under the Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act or similar status.
- To qualify for benefits, SGU veterans must be verified by the Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and may receive a certificate of eligibility if verified.
- For the driver’s license or Minnesota ID designation, eligible applicants must show:
- proof of veteran status (e.g., discharge papers, veteran ID card, or a VA eligibility certificate),
- or proof of 100% total and permanent service-connected disability as determined by the U.S. VA (for the most enhanced designation).
Main provisions and what the bill seeks to accomplish
- Driver’s license/ID designation:
- The department can issue, renew, or reissue a license/ID with a graphic or written “Veteran” or “SGU Veteran” designation, upon meeting eligibility.
- Burial and related fees:
- The state will establish a fee schedule for the burial of SGU veterans, spouses, and dependents that aims to cover actual costs.
- The state can waive or reduce burial fees for indigent eligible applicants.
- No burial fees may be charged for service members who die on active duty or for certain veterans.
- Benefits for SGU veterans:
- SGU veterans have access to the same statutory benefits and privileges as other Minnesota veterans, including:
- Driver’s licenses/state ID veteran designation,
- Veterans preference in state employment (and related benefits),
- Purchase of grave markers, state veterans cemeteries, and honor guards,
- Various professional license, vehicle-related, or civil service provisions that apply to veterans.
- If status as an SGU veteran is verified, the commissioner must issue a certificate of eligibility for these benefits.
- Eligibility determination for burial-related benefits:
- The commissioner must establish an application process for preneed burial eligibility determinations (in collaboration with the VA).
- Applicants can submit a VA pre-need determination; the VA’s decision triggers issuance of a state certificate of eligibility if eligible.
- Special consideration process:
- If the VA determines an applicant is not eligible, the applicant can request “special consideration” from the commissioner.
- A defined process and forms will be available to request special consideration, with required supporting documents (including VA determinations and multiple forms of veteran-service evidence).
- A contested case hearing is available if the request is denied.
- The deadline to submit applications for special consideration is December 31, 2030.
Significant changes to existing law
- Creation of a formal, codified definition of “Veteran of the Secret War in Laos” (SGU veteran) within Minnesota statutes.
- New eligibility verification process and certificate issuance for SGU veterans seeking benefits.
- Expansion of driver’s license/ID designations to include SGU veteran status and/or disability status.
- Establishment of a state burial benefit fee schedule for SGU veterans and the potential for waivers for indigent applicants.
- Introduction of a VA-facilitated pre-need burial eligibility process and a separate state process for special consideration with a clear deadline.
- Alignment of SGU veterans’ benefits with a long list of existing veteran benefits, ensuring SGU veterans receive the same rights and privileges once verified.
Relevant Terms - Secret War in Laos (SGU) - SGU veteran - Veterans designation (on driver’s license and state ID) - 100% total and permanent service-connected disability - Certification of eligibility - Burial/interment fees - Interment for indigent eligible applicants - Veteran benefits and privileges - Veterans Affairs (VA) pre-need determination - Special guerrilla unit / irregular forces - Verification process - Special consideration and contested case hearing - Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act - Civil service, veterans preference, grave markers, state veterans cemeteries - Eligibility standards and application forms - Certificate of eligibility for benefits and privileges
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Transportation Finance and Policy on: March 17, 2026 17:00
- Transportation Finance and Policy on: March 16, 2026 13:00
- Veterans and Military Affairs Division on: March 04, 2026 08:15
- Transportation Finance and Policy on: March 09, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 02, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Veterans and Military Affairs Division | |
| March 12, 2026 | House | Action | Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Graphic or written designation on a driver's license or Minnesota identification card for veterans, including SGU Veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds a veteran designation on Minnesota drivers licenses or state identification cards, including options for Veteran, 100 TP, or SGU Veteran.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "171.07",
"subdivision": "subd.15"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishes a fee schedule for burial interment; allows waivers or reductions for indigent eligible applicants; waives plot/interment fees for certain service members."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modifies burial-related fees for eligible spouses, dependent children, and eligible Secret War in Laos veterans; creates a fee schedule and potential waivers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.236",
"subdivision": "subd.9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines terms including 'Veteran of the Secret War in Laos or SGU veteran' and related program terms."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds definition provisions related to the Secret War in Laos veteran designation and related terms (e.g., SGU veteran).",
"modified": [
"Adds SGU veteran as a defined term used in benefits and designation provisions."
]
},
"citation": "197.448",
"subdivision": "subd.1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Entitles SGU veterans to benefits and privileges after status verification; requires certificate of eligibility; lists benefits tied to section 197.447."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Establishes eligibility for benefits and privileges for SGU veterans and outlines verification and certificates.",
"modified": [
"Extends access to benefits and privileges to SGU veterans defined under this statute and related provisions."
]
},
"citation": "197.448",
"subdivision": "subd.2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets definitions used by the department and commissioner, including terms for who has authority and the VA’s role.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates definitions used to interpret the veteran benefits for SGU veterans as referenced in this act."
]
},
"citation": "197.61",
"subdivision": "subd.2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends veteran-related eligibility considerations to SGU veterans as defined in this act."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Civil service recruitment provisions referencing veteran status; aligns recruitment with SGU veteran eligibility.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "43A.09",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends veterans preference in state employment status to SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Veterans preference in state employment, extended to SGU veterans under this act.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "43A.11",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends protections/considerations for certain disabled veterans to SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Certain disabled veterans provisions; extended applicability to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "43A.111",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veterans may be eligible to purchase grave markers under this provision."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Purchase of grave markers; expands applicability to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.23",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veterans receive the same honors or recognition provisions as other veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Honor guards provisions; extends to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.231",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends benefits to SGU veterans as defined in this act, mirroring benefits available to other veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Definition of benefits available to veterans; SGU veterans are made eligible for the same benefits.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.447",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends veterans preference to SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Veterans preference in state employment; alignment with SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.455",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Extends permissive veteran preferences to SGU veterans in private employment."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Permissive veteran preference for private employment; includes SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.4551",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veteran matters may be eligible for mandamus relief where applicable."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Writ of mandamus; applicability extended to SGU veteran matters when relevant.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.46",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Application processes for benefits applicable to SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Application procedures; extends to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.48",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Enforcement provisions apply to SGU veterans' benefits."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Enforcement by commissioner; applies to SGU veterans' eligibility and benefits.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.481",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veterans' vital records processing included."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Vital records certified copies; extension of eligibility to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.63",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veterans are eligible for renewal-related benefits and processes."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Renewal of professional licenses, motor vehicle registration and driver's licenses; SGU veterans included.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.65",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"SGU veterans receive the same honors and remembrance provisions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Honor and remember flag provisions; extended to SGU veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.987",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides for contested case hearing procedures applicable to denials related to SGU veteran benefits."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Contested case hearing procedures referenced from the Administrative Procedures Act (sections 14.57 to 14.62).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "14.57 to 14.62",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cited federal burial-related statute as a basis for state burial benefits to SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Federal burial provisions cited; governs eligibility for burial and related benefits.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38 U.S.C. 2402",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References to federal naturalization provisions affecting eligibility criteria for SGU veterans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000; federal naturalization framework referenced.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "Public Law 106-207",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Explicit subparagraph references within 38 U.S.C. 2402 noted in the text.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "38 U.S.C. 2402",
"subdivision": "subd. a(1)-(4), (7)"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee