SF3635 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Former members of the National Guard or reservists benefits eligibility expansion provision
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill would expand eligibility for certain veterans benefits to former members of Minnesota’s National Guard or reserve components by creating a new category called “eligible veteran.” This status would allow these individuals to access the same benefits and privileges that are already available to veterans.
Key definitions
- Eligible veteran: a person who
- lives in Minnesota,
- served during a time of hostilities in the state National Guard or a United States reserve component,
- completed their applicable military service obligation under the criteria in United States Code Title 10, section 651,
- received an honorable discharge.
- Time of hostilities: defined as the period described in section 197.791, subdivision 1, paragraph g.
- Service obligation: the obligation defined by the U.S. Code (Title 10, §651) that must be completed for eligibility.
Eligibility and benefits (what changes)
- Eligible veterans would have access to benefits and privileges that are already available to veterans under current law (as defined in section 197.447). These include:
- Purchase of grave markers
- Honor guards
- State veterans cemeteries
- Veterans preference (and a permissive veterans’ preference in private employment)
- Vital records (certified copies)
- Renewal of professional licenses
- Motor vehicle registration and driver’s license
- Honor and remember flag
Relationship to existing law
- This bill extends a subset of veteran benefits (currently available to veterans defined under section 197.447) to the newly defined group of “eligible veterans” (former National Guard or reserve members who meet the criteria above) under section 197.449.
Additional notes
- The changes hinge on linking eligibility to “time of hostilities” and the completion of a service obligation with an honorable discharge, aligning the new category with the framework used for other veterans benefits.
Relevant Terms - eligible veteran - former member of National Guard - reserve component - time of hostilities - honorable discharge - service obligation (U.S. Code Title 10, §651) - Minnesota Statutes chapter 197 - grave markers - honor guards - state veterans cemeteries - veterans preference - permissive preference for private employment - vital records (certified copies) - renewal of professional license - motor vehicle registration - driver’s license - honor and remember flag - 197.447 (existing veteran definition)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 19, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | State and Local Government |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'former members' of the National Guard or reserves and related terms.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.449",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides eligibility for benefits and privileges to eligible veterans under this section, listing related programs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.449",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the definition of a veteran used for these benefits.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.447",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Purchase of grave markers for veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.23",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Honor guards provisions for veterans.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.231",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "State veterans cemeteries provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.236",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Veterans preference provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.455",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Permissive veteran preference in private employment.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.4551",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Vital records and certified copies.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.63",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Renewal of professional license, motor vehicle registration, and driver's license.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.65",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Honor and remember flag provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.987",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'time of hostilities' as meaning under this statute; time of hostilities defined for eligibility.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "197.791",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1, paragraph g"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Federal law defining military service obligations referenced by the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "10 U.S.C. § 651",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee