Minnesota2026Passed Legislature
HF3522
Veterans Services: Grants, Benefits, and New Rules
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM
In one sentence
This law adds a new veteran designation for driver licenses, sets rules for state grants to nonprofit groups, updates pay for National Guard members on state duty, creates the Commanders Task Force, modifies burial eligibility, allows temporary closure of veterans homes, and requires reports.
What it does
- Adds 'SGU Veteran' as an option on Minnesota driver's licenses and ID cards for eligible veterans of the Secret War in Laos.
- Sets new rules that nonprofit groups must meet to receive legislatively directed competitive or direct grants from the commissioner, including being a Minnesota-based organization operating for at least five years.
- Requires grant recipients to prioritize serving veterans with service-connected disabilities when resources are insufficient to serve all eligible applicants.
- Updates pay rates for officers and enlisted members of the military forces on state active service to match federal basic pay tables, ensuring it is not less than an E-5 grade level.
- Establishes a new group called the Commanders Task Force.
- Modifies eligibility requirements for burial in state veterans cemeteries.
- Allows the commissioner of veterans affairs to temporarily close veterans homes under certain circumstances.
- Requires grant recipients to submit annual reports starting in 2027 detailing their purpose, funding sources, and number of people served.
Who it affects
- Veterans of the Secret War in Laos seeking special identification cards
- Nonprofit groups applying for state-funded veteran service grants
- Minnesota National Guard officers and enlisted members on state active duty
- The commissioner of veterans affairs who manages grants, reports, and home closures
Limits and unknowns
- The provided text cuts off while listing report requirements, so it is unclear if there are additional reporting details beyond those listed.
- The specific circumstances under which veterans homes may be temporarily closed are not detailed in the excerpt.
- The exact modifications to burial eligibility for state veterans cemeteries are mentioned but not described in detail.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Secret War in Laos
- A specific period of military service that now qualifies for the 'SGU Veteran' designation on driver licenses.
- Legislatively directed grants
- Money given by the state legislature to organizations, which this law says must follow new rules and scoring systems based on history of serving veterans.
- State active service
- Time when Minnesota National Guard members are called up for duty within the state rather than federal deployment.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Veterans; standards established for legislatively directed competitive and direct grants, honor guard detail provided, available benefits to veterans of the Secret War in Laos modified, eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries modified, Commanders Task Force established, pay for state active service modified, commissioner of veterans affairs allowed to temporarily close veterans homes, reports required, and money appropriated.
Official activity
Bill history
- Presented to Governor 05/13/2026House
- Presentment date 05/13/26Senate
- Returned from Senate with amendmentHouse
- House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence receivedHouse
- Special Order: AmendedSenate
- Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF3955Senate
- Received from HouseSenate
- AmendedHouse
- House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, May 4, 2026House
- Committee report, to adoptHouse
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Veterans and Military Affairs DivisionHouse