Committee adopts veterans subcommittee reports, forwards bills to next steps The Minnesota Senate committee adopted veterans-related subcommittee reports for SF 4807, SF 4560 and SF 3603 and forwarded the files to the next bodies: SF 4807 to finance, SF 4560 to State Government, and SF 3603 to the Senate floor.

Minnesota's Senate Committee is taking significant steps to support veterans with new bills that align state pay with federal standards and aid those who served in past conflicts.

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #VeteransSupport #LegislativeAction #EducationAccess

Minnesota House approves package of bills on veterans policy, liquor rules and foreclosures On April 9, 2026 the Minnesota House in Saint Paul passed a set of bills that included MDVA housekeeping and collaboration authority, a liquor omnibus restoring an assisted‑living alcohol exception, clarifications to foreclosure postponement rights, expanded deposit insurance options for credit unions, and several routine governance changes; vote tallies were recorded for each bill.

The Minnesota House has just passed a groundbreaking package of bills that supports veterans, modernizes liquor laws, and clarifies mortgage protections—what's next for the North Star State?

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #HousingSecurity #VeteranSupport #PublicPolicy

Subcommittee advances package: grants oversight, diplomas for wartime veterans, and formal recognition of Commander's Task Force The subcommittee moved several veterans-related bills—SF4026 on MDVA grants review, SF3603 to allow wartime veterans to receive high-school diplomas from Minnesota school districts, and SF4560 formalizing the Minnesota Commander's Task Force—and recommended each to the full committee or laid them over for omnibus inclusion.

Minnesota's Senate subcommittee is taking significant steps to support veterans by advancing bills that ensure grant oversight, award high school diplomas to wartime heroes, and formally recognize the Commander's Task Force.

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Panel backs bill to align Minnesota state active-duty pay with federal pay tables The veterans subcommittee recommended Senate File 4807 to pass after testimony from the Department of Military Affairs and National Guard leadership; the bill would amend Minnesota Statute 192.49 to set the state active-duty minimum base pay at the federal E-5 pay grade and tie future changes to federal pay-table updates, with an estimated open-appropriation impact of about $30,000 annually.

Minnesota is set to elevate the minimum base pay for active-duty service members to match federal standards, ensuring our lowest-ranking soldiers receive the support they deserve!

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Subcommittee advances bill to expand state veterans cemetery eligibility to National Guard and reservists A Minnesota Senate veterans subcommittee adopted an amendment and laid over Senate File 4172, which would allow honorably discharged National Guard members, reservists and Air National Guard service members (and eligible dependents) to be interred in state veterans cemeteries; MDVA warned the change could accelerate capacity timelines at Little Falls.

Minnesota is one step closer to ensuring that honorably discharged National Guard members and reservists can finally be interred in state veterans cemeteries, correcting a long-standing inequity.

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Committee backs bill to align Minnesota state active‑duty pay with federal pay tables The House Veterans Division recommended House File 46‑15 to Ways and Means after Department of Military Affairs testimony that the bill updates Minnesota Statutes §192.49, replacing a 1997 $130/day minimum with a base tied to the DFAS E‑5 pay grade so future cost‑of‑living increases track federal updates.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to ensure our National Guard members receive fair compensation by aligning their pay with federal standards!

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Committee backs bill allowing Minnesota school districts to award diplomas to qualifying veterans Senate File 3603 would let veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam era request a high-school diploma from a Minnesota school district or charter; the committee adopted an author's amendment and recommended referral to the committee on agriculture, broadband and rural development.

Minnesota is paving the way for veterans to finally receive high-school diplomas they earned but couldn't finish due to service in the Korean War and Vietnam era.

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #CivicSupport #MilitaryRecognition #EducationAccess

Committee advances bill to enshrine SGU Laos veterans in state benefits list The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony on HF3919, a bill shaped by an SGU task force to add Special Guerrilla Unit veterans from the secret war in Laos to Minnesota benefit lists, adopted a funding‑source amendment and re‑referred the bill to the Veterans and Military Affairs Division. Veterans and MDVA staff outlined task force work and the bill’s language.

A new bill aims to secure state benefits for Special Guerrilla Unit veterans who bravely served in Laos, reflecting years of advocacy and negotiations.

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Sen. Gustafson’s bill to clarify MDVA authority on veteran partnerships is amended and laid over Senate File 3956, carried by Sen. Gustafson, would amend Minn. Stat. 196.22 to explicitly allow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to direct staff time and non‑monetary resources to partnerships addressing veterans’ food security, homelessness and suicide prevention. The committee adopted an amendment narrowing the scope and laid the bill over for further work.

Sen. Gustafson's new bill aims to empower the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to tackle crucial issues like food insecurity and homelessness for veterans—without dipping into state funds!

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Panel re-refers bill to Transportation amid debate over SGU veteran designation and driver'license costs House File 3919, a bill implementing task force recommendations to recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) and irregular forces from the Laos "secret war," was presented to the Veterans and Military Affairs Division. Members debated whether the bill should add an SGU-specific veteran designation on driver's licenses, burial fee changes, and whether some allied groups were omitted from the task force record. The committee voted to re-refer HF3919 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.

Minnesota's House File 3919 is stirring debate as lawmakers consider how to honor Special Guerrilla Unit veterans with potential state benefits and a controversial driver's license designation.

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Minnesota House observes moment of silence for fallen service member Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amore Representative Olson announced the death of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amore, who was killed in an unmanned aerial attack at the Port of Schwab in Kuwait, and asked the Minnesota House to observe a moment of silence; members complied and the chamber noted plans to honor her service.

Minnesota House members joined in a moment of silence to honor Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amore, a brave reservist lost in a tragic unmanned aerial attack while serving in Kuwait.

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #ServiceMemberRecognition #MilitaryHonor

Commander's Task Force urges lawmakers to back April 23 'Veterans Day on the Hill' and boost disabled-veteran property-tax exclusion The Commander's Task Force asked legislators to support Veterans Day on the Hill April 23 and promoted a unanimous priority to increase the disabled-veteran homestead property-tax exclusion (100% disabled: $300,000→$400,000; 70–99% disabled: $150,000→$200,000), with presenters saying county impacts would be modest.

The Commander's Task Force is rallying support for Veterans Day on the Hill and pushing for a much-needed boost in property-tax exclusions for disabled veterans—will lawmakers step up?

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Panel forwards MDVA bill to allow emergency closures of veterans homes to meet federal rules The committee re‑referred House File 35 22, an agency bill to allow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to implement temporary closures of veterans homes to satisfy Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements; MDVA counsel said the change is strictly to ensure compliance and the department "has no intention of closing any of its facilities."

Minnesota's Department of Veterans Affairs is taking steps to ensure compliance with federal regulations, but they assure that no veterans homes will be closed without proper legislative approval.

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Minnesota panel advances bill to add veteran or military status to state nondiscrimination law The House Veterans and Military Affairs Division voted Feb. 25 to re-refer House File 35 40, a proposal to add veteran or military status as a protected class under Minnesota law, after adopting an amendment to include veterans of the secret war in Laos and hearing support from state veterans officials and House Research.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to protect veterans from discrimination in employment, housing, and education by advancing a new bill that could change lives!

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#MN #CivicAccountability #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #EmploymentEquity #EducationAccess

Minnesota senators pay extended tributes to former Sen. Bruce Anderson and pause to sing "Amazing Grace" Members of the Minnesota Senate spent floor time Feb. 19 honoring former Senator Bruce Anderson, recounting his military service, long public service, faith, and personal kindness. The chamber recessed briefly for members to sing "Amazing Grace" before adjourning.

The Minnesota Senate came together to honor the legacy of former Senator Bruce Anderson, reflecting on his remarkable military service and unwavering commitment to veterans, culminating in a heartfelt rendition of "Amazing Grace."

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#MN #BipartisanRespect #MinnesotaVeterans

Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley nears completion with $32 million in state backing Randall Dietrich, executive director of the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, told a Senate subcommittee the new 30,000–40,000 sq ft museum at Camp Ripley has secured $32 million in state funding, several million more in private support and aims to open Sept. 12, 2026.

A new era for Minnesota's military history is on the horizon as the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum secures $32 million and gears up for a grand opening in 2026!

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County veteran service officers urge stronger fraud protections, training and property-tax updates Representatives of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers told the Senate subcommittee CVSOs provide free, accredited claims assistance, urged stronger consumer protections against predatory 'claim sharks,' and asked the legislature to modernize the disabled-veteran homestead exclusion to reflect current housing costs.

County veteran service officers are fighting for stronger protections against fraud and advocating for vital updates to support our heroes in need.

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness

MDVA outlines statewide veteran suicide-prevention strategy as roughly 100 veterans die by suicide each year in Minnesota Rachel Johnson of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs told the Senate subcommittee the department has built a coordinated, funded suicide-prevention system with regional coordinators, veteran health navigators and a Hennepin County mortality-review pilot; she cited an average of about 100 veteran deaths per year in Minnesota.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to combat the heartbreaking statistic of 100 veteran suicides each year with a comprehensive, coordinated prevention plan that prioritizes community connection and innovative outreach.

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Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum says 40,000 sq ft facility near Camp Ripley will target a September opening Museum director Randall Dietrich told the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division the public-private, roughly $40 million project on 30 donated acres will include theaters, multimedia stations and restored artifacts (including the sail of USS Minneapolis–Saint Paul) and aims to open in September with programming tied to the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

A groundbreaking new museum dedicated to honoring veterans from all 87 Minnesota counties is set to open this September, featuring restored artifacts and immersive multimedia experiences.

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Task force recommends NCA pre-file, state review and three-year window to verify Minnesota veterans who served in Laos A Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs task force recommended a four-step verification process — starting with pre-filing for burial with the National Cemetery Administration — and urged the Legislature to adopt statutory updates that would allow final state determinations through Dec. 31, 2030.

Minnesota's task force is paving the way for veterans who served in Laos during the Vietnam War, proposing a streamlined four-step verification process to ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they deserve.

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#MN #MinnesotaVeterans #CitizenPortal #VeteranBenefits

#MemorialDay2025 #fortsnelling #minnesotaveterans #redbullband #mnnationalguard #minnesotanationalguard #34redbullinfantry #hmongveterans

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Minnesota Legislature passes budget to enhance veterans services and memorialize Gold Star families Legislature enacts funding for veterans services and establishes memorial at State Capitol.

Minnesota takes a monumental step by securing funding for veterans services and honoring Gold Star families with a new memorial at the State Capitol.

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#MN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MinnesotaVeterans #CommunitySupport #CivicAccountability

Minnesota allocates $146.7M for veterans services in fiscal year 2028 Minnesota commits $146.7 million for veterans programs and service organizations starting fiscal 2028.

Minnesota is stepping up for our heroes with a historic $146.7 million investment in veterans' programs starting in 2028!

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Minnesota allocates $110M for veterans programs and services in new budget Minnesota invests $110 million annually for veterans' services, including mental health and housing initiatives.

Minnesota is stepping up for its veterans with a groundbreaking $110 million investment in mental health and housing services!

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#MN #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #MinnesotaVeterans #VeteranServices #HousingInitiatives

Minnesota establishes task force for veterans of special guerilla units in Laos Task force will determine benefits eligibility for Laos guerilla unit veterans by 2026.

Minnesota is taking a bold step to ensure Laos guerilla unit veterans finally get the benefits they deserve by establishing a dedicated task force!

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#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaVeterans #VeteransBenefits #CommunitySupport #CivicAccountability

Minnesota updates motor vehicle registration fees and veteran exemptions Minnesota modifies vehicle registration fees and grants veterans new tax exemptions.

Minnesota is making waves with new vehicle registration fee updates and exciting tax exemptions for veterans!

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#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaVeterans #VehicleRegistration #TaxReform #VeteranBenefits

Representative Sexton urges community support for veterans during legislative session Representative Sexton advocates for increased community engagement with veterans and property tax relief

Minnesota's House has just repassed a groundbreaking veterans bill aimed at easing financial burdens and enhancing community support for those who served our country.

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#MN #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaVeterans #HousingRelief #CommunityEngagement #LegislativeSupport