SF3680

Purpose

This bill updates Minnesota law to change and expand how veterans license plates are designed and labeled. It requires a specified emblem design for veterans plates, sets exact inscriptions for many veteran groups, and broadens who can be eligible for certain plates. It also includes requirements for proving eligibility and for sharing information about eligibility with officials.

Main Provisions

• Design authority

  • The commissioner of veterans affairs must design the emblem for the veterans special plates, and the design must be approved by the same commissioner.

• Inscriptions and symbols by veteran category

  • Vietnam veteran (served after July 1, 1961 and before July 1, 1978): inscription VIETNAM VET.
  • Pearl Harbor survivor (stationed on Oahu or offshore during the December 7, 1941 attack): inscription PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR.
  • World War II veteran: inscription WORLD WAR VET.
  • Korean War veteran: inscription KOREAN VET.
  • Combat wounded veteran (Purple Heart recipient): inscription COMBAT WOUNDED VET and a facsimile or emblem of the Purple Heart.
  • Persian Gulf War veteran: inscription GULF WAR VET; defined by active duty after August 1, 1990 in the U.S. or allied forces or UN during Desert Shield/Desert Storm or related combat operations (per Executive Order No. 12744).
  • Laos War veteran: inscription LAOS WAR VET.
  • Iraq War veteran: inscription IRAQ WAR VET, placed directly below the plate number with a facsimile of the medal.
  • Afghanistan War veteran: inscription AFGHAN WAR VET, placed directly below the plate number with a facsimile of the medal.
  • Global War on Terrorism awards
  • GWOT veteran: inscription GWOT VETERAN, placed directly below the plate number.
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal: inscription and a facsimile of that medal (placed near the plate number as described).
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal: inscription GWOT VETERAN directly below the plate number (for eligible recipients).
  • National Guard and other reserves
  • A National Guard or other reserves member ordered to federally funded state active service under 32 U.S.C. 190.05(5b) and who holds a GWOT Service Medal is eligible for the plate described in this paragraph, even if they would not otherwise qualify as a veteran under other Minnesota law.
  • Korean Defense Service Medal
  • Inscription KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE, placed directly below the plate number.
  • Bronze Star Medal
  • Inscriptions BRONZE STAR VET MERITORIOUS or BRONZE STAR VALOR, with a facsimile or emblem of the Bronze Star medal.
  • Silver Star Medal
  • Inscription SILVER STAR VET HEROISM, with a facsimile or emblem of the Silver Star medal.
  • Woman veteran
  • Inscription WOMAN VETERAN, with a facsimile or emblem designated by the commissioners of veterans affairs and public safety.

• Proof of eligibility and information sharing

  • For veterans who have not yet received discharge papers, the commissioner of public safety must ensure that information about the required proof of eligibility is distributed to public officials responsible for administering these plates.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds explicit inscriptions for a wide range of veteran groups, including multiple World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Laos, Iraq, Afghanistan, and GWOT-related designations.
• Requires a formal emblem design by the veterans affairs commissioner, with an approval step, for the veterans plates.
• Expands eligibility in certain cases (notably National Guard and reserves under state active service) to qualify for these plates based on GWOT-related service.
• Clarifies placement of medal facsimiles and inscriptions (often directly below the plate number) and includes the use of official medal emblems or facsimiles on the plate.
• Includes a process to inform public officials about proof of eligibility for applicants who may not have discharge documents.

Relevant Terms - veterans special plates - emblem design - VIETNAM VET - PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR - WORLD WAR VET - KOREAN VET - COMBAT WOUNDED VET - Purple Heart - GULF WAR VET - Persian Gulf War (Executive Order No. 12744) - LAOS WAR VET - IRAQ WAR VET - AFGHAN WAR VET - GWOT VETERAN - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - Global War on Terrorism Service Medal - GWOT - KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE - BRONZE STAR VET MERITORIOUS - BRONZE STAR VALOR - SILVER STAR VET HEROISM - WOMAN VETERAN - facsimile - emblem (medal emblems) - National Guard - United States Code title 32 - 32 U.S.C. 190.05(5b) - Executive Order No. 12744 - proof of eligibility - discharge papers