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MinnesotaSF 195994th Legislature, 2025-2026SenateWALLET

Omnibus Veterans policy and appropriations

Sponsored By: Aric Putnam (Democratic)

Became Law

AgricultureWays and Means

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Funding for Minnesota military enlistment incentives

Military enlistment incentives get $14.114 million in fiscal year 2026 and $18.114 million in 2027. These funds remain available until June 30, 2029. If 2026 money runs short, the department can use 2027 money early; unused 2026 money carries into 2027. Yearly base funding is $12.114 million starting in 2028. This funding provision does not set each person's payment or eligibility rules.

Veterans homes funding and cost rules

Veterans health care gets $111.252 million in fiscal year 2026 and $115.620 million in 2027. Its yearly base funding is $120.050 million starting in 2028. Of these amounts, $110.302 million and $114.670 million can move to the veterans homes special revenue account. The yearly transfer base is $119.100 million starting in 2028. The department must seek the most Medicare payments for eligible expenses and report yearly to the management and budget commissioner. State general fund support for veterans homes can fall only when future Medicare payments arrive. For 2026–2027, Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji homes must use the average care costs at Luverne and Fergus Falls instead of separate calculations; this rule expires June 30, 2027.

Stronger protections for veterans seeking benefits

Paid veterans benefits providers and paid referral agents must have U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation. Covered providers can charge veterans and families only as federal fee rules allow. Before services begin, they must provide a written fee agreement that follows those rules. Providers cannot guarantee specific benefits or a benefit level, percentage, or amount. Violations are unlawful practices subject to Minnesota consumer-law remedies; recovered civil penalties go to the Support Our Troops account.

Funding for veterans' community health support

Minnesota provides $400,000 each year in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to staff Veteran Community Health Navigators in community hospitals. These staff support veterans receiving care there. The veteran suicide prevention program gets $550,000 each year in 2026 and 2027. These allocations are part of the veterans health care budget, not extra funding on top of it.

Capitol plaque honors military families

The law creates a memorial plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families in the Capitol grounds' Court of Honor. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must seek public designs and select one as the basis for production. The commissioner of veterans affairs must approve the selected design. The person submitting that design must provide it at no cost to the state.

Funding for Minnesota military operations

Minnesota Military Affairs gets $30.025 million in fiscal year 2026 and $33.478 million in 2027, including enlistment incentives. Its yearly base funding is $27.478 million starting in 2028. Training facility maintenance gets $10.067 million each year in 2026 and 2027; emergency services get $300,000 each year. General support gets $5.544 million in 2026 and $4.997 million in 2027. The 2026 support money includes a one-time $800,000 for Army National Guard health and fitness administration and payroll.

Funding for Minnesota veterans programs

Veterans programs and services get $30.677 million in fiscal year 2026 and $31.080 million in 2027. This funding does not set individual benefit amounts or eligibility rules. Across all programs, Minnesota Veterans Affairs gets $141.929 million in 2026 and $146.700 million in 2027. The department's yearly base funding is $151.130 million starting in 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aric Putnam

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bliss

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jim Carlson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mitchell

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Xiong

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 538 • No: 184

House vote • 5/17/2025

Repassage, as amended by Conference

Yes: 130 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/17/2025

Third Reading

Yes: 45 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/17/2025

Third Reading

Yes: 38 • No: 25

House vote • 4/29/2025

Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

House vote • 4/29/2025

Passage, as amended

Yes: 126 • No: 6

House vote • 4/29/2025

Amendment to Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Third Reading

Yes: 65 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Secretary of State Chapter 30

    5/23/2025Senate

  2. Governor's action Approval

    5/23/2025Senate

  3. Presentment date

    5/20/2025Senate

  4. House adopted SCC report and repassed bill

    5/18/2025Senate

  5. Bill was repassed as amended by Conference vote: 130-0

    5/17/2025House

  6. Third reading as amended by Conference

    5/17/2025House

  7. House adopted conference committee report

    5/17/2025House

  8. Conference committee report, delete everythingc

    5/17/2025House

  9. Senate adopted conference committee report, bill repassed vote: 45-19

    5/17/2025House

  10. Third Reading Repassed vote: 45-19

    5/17/2025Senate

  11. Senate adopted CC report and repassed bill vote: 38-25 4

    5/17/2025Senate

  12. Conference committee report, delete everythingc

    5/17/2025Senate

  13. House conferees Bliss; Duran; Xiong; Hemmingsen-Jaeger

    5/5/2025Senate

  14. House conferees Bliss, Duran, Xiong, Hemmingsen-Jaeger

    5/1/2025House

  15. House accedes, conference committee of 4 to be appointed

    5/1/2025House

  16. Senate conferees Putnam, Gustafson, Anderson

    5/1/2025House

  17. Senate refuses to concur, conference committee of 3 requested

    5/1/2025House

  18. Senate conferees Putnam; Gustafson; Anderson

    5/1/2025Senate

  19. Senate not concur, conference committee of 3 requested

    5/1/2025Senate

  20. Taken from table

    5/1/2025Senate

  21. Laid on table

    4/30/2025Senate

  22. Returned from House with amendment

    4/30/2025Senate

  23. Bill was passed as amended vote: 126-6

    4/29/2025House

  24. Third reading as amended

    4/29/2025House

  25. Amendeda

    4/29/2025House

Bill Text

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