OVERVIEW

CAVWV's final comments to Task Force at its
​Final Meeting January 15 ,2026

Audio File - duration - 16:30
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SECTION I

Advisory Task Force established,  Enforcing legislation
      First meeting Postponed till September 30, 2025

Audio file duration - 4:12

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Department of Veterans Affairs
ENABLING LEGISLATION
Minn. Laws 2025, Chapter 30, Article 2 Section 13
Enabled: 05-23-2025
Revisor of Statutes Lin
​"Sec. 9. [197.448] VETERAN OF THE SECRET WAR IN LAOS.​
Subdivision 1. Definition. As used in this section, the term "veteran of the secret war​
in Laos" means a person who resides in Minnesota and who:​
(1) was naturalized as provided in section 2(1) of the federal Hmong Veterans'​ Naturalization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-207; or​
(2) is a person who the commissioner of veterans affairs determines served honorably​ with a special guerrilla unit or with irregular forces that operated from a base in Laos in​ support of the armed forces of the United States at any time during the period beginning​ February 28, 1961, and ending May 14, 1975, and is a citizen of the United States or an​ alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.​
Subd. 2. Eligibility for benefits and privileges. (a) A veteran of the secret war in Laos,​ as defined in subdivision 1, clause (1), is entitled to the benefits and privileges listed in​ paragraph (d) the day following the effective date of this act.​
(b) A veteran of the secret war in Laos, as defined in subdivision 1, clause (2), is entitled​ to the benefits and privileges listed in paragraph (d) after the commissioner of veterans​ affairs verifies the person's veteran status. The commissioner must not begin accepting​ applications for verification under this paragraph until the legislature enacts criteria and a​ protocol to determine:​
(1) which Minnesotans served in secret guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos;​ and​
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Sec. 9.​ 1​
(2) which of the Minnesotans who served in secret guerilla units or with irregular forces​ in Laos are deserving of Minnesota veterans benefits.​
(c) If the commissioner verifies a person's status as a veteran of the secret war in Laos,​ the commissioner must provide the person with a certificate of eligibility for the benefits​ and privileges listed in paragraph (d) on a form developed by the commissioner for this​ purpose. The commissioner must develop the form required under this paragraph no later​ than September 15, 2025.​
(d) The following statutory benefits and privileges available to a veteran, as defined in​ section 197.447, are also available to a veteran of the secret war in Laos: section 171.07,​ subdivision 15 (veteran designation on drivers' licenses and state identification cards);​ section 197.23 (purchase of grave markers); section 197.231 (honor guards); section 197.236​ (state veterans cemeteries); section 197.455 (veterans preference); section 197.4551​ (permissive preference for veterans in private employment); section 197.63 (vital records,​ certified copies); section 197.65 (renewal of professional license, motor vehicle registration,​ and driver's license); and section 197.987 (honor and remember flag)."​
On R9, Veterans and Military Affairs Policy, House language, (UES1959-2)​ Page 19, delete section 13 and insert:​
"Sec. 13. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED; VETERANS OF SECRET​ GUERILLA UNITS AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS.​
Subdivision 1. Establishment; membership. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs​ must establish a Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory​ Task Force.​
(b) The advisory task force must consist of the commissioner, or a designee, and the​ following additional 12 members appointed by the commissioner, except as otherwise​ provided:​
(1) a representative of the Minnesota Commanders Task Force designated by the​ Commanders Task Force;​
(2) one member with direct experience in Military Assistance Command Vietnam Special​ Forces operations during the dates established in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.448,​ subdivision 1, clause (2);​
(3) a United States armed forces veteran who served on active duty in Vietnam during​ the Vietnam War;​
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​  
Sec. 13.​ 2​
(4) a Hmong American Minnesota resident who served in the United States armed forces;​
(5) two veterans of a secret guerilla unit or irregular forces in Laos;​
(6) one member with expertise in the history of allied irregular and surrogate forces​ during the dates established in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.448, subdivision 1, clause​ (2);​
(7) one member with direct experience in U.S. intelligence or special operations in​ Southeast Asia during those dates established in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.448,​ subdivision 1, clause (2); and​
(8) four legislators, with one member each appointed by the speaker of the house of​ representatives, the house DFL leader, the senate majority leader, and the senate minority​ leader.​
Subd. 2. Duties; report. (a) The task force must:​
(1) establish criteria for determining which Minnesotans served in the secret guerrilla​
units or with irregular forces in Laos; and​
(2) establish criteria and a protocol to determine which Minnesotans who served in the​ secret guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos are deserving of the benefits of a veteran​ under Minnesota law and which veterans benefits should be extended to these Minnesotans.​
(b) The task force must prepare a report to the legislature that includes the findings,​ criteria, protocol, and recommendations required under paragraph (a). The commissioner​ must deliver the report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative​ committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and finance by February 15, 2026.​
Subd. 3. Administration; terms of membership. The commissioner shall convene the​ first meeting of the advisory task force by September 15, 2025, and provide staff support​ to the advisory task force. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6, governs the​ terms and removal of members of the advisory task force. Members of the task force serve​ without compensation or per diem.​
Subd. 4. Expiration. The task force expires February 15, 2026."​
SECTION II

Task Force Members

SECTION III

Meeting Dates

Hybrid refers to In person, Video type, and Teleconference type conferencing.

First meeting  - 9/15/25  - Postponed
No recording
Hybrid Meeting #1 - 9/30/25 - 10AM -12PM
Audio recording - https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-1​​Hybrid Meeting # 2 - 10/20 - 2PM to 4PM
Audio recording - https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-2
Hybrid Meeting # 3 - 10/27 - 10AM-12PM
Audio recording - https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-3
Hybrid Meeting # 4 - 11/13 - 2PM to 4PM
Audio recording -https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-4
Hybrid Meeting # 5 - 11/24 - 10AM-12PM
Audio recording -https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-5
Hybrid Meeting # 6 - 12/10 - 2PM to 4PM
Audio recording - https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-6
Hybrid Meeting # 7 - 12/19 - 10AM-12PM
Audio recording -https://mn.gov/mdva/news/sgu/#toggle-7
Hybrid Meeting # 8 - 1/15 - 2PM to 4PM
(Final Meeting)
​Audio recording - 

All meetings are held at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Services Building, located at ​20 W. 12th Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 - East Conference Room
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SECTION IV

CAVWV - Submittions, Presentations & Notes

PART A

Historical background of SGU veterans

PART B

Report and Analysis

PART C

Additional problems found

The Coalition of Allied Vietnam War Veterans is a former 501(c)3 non profit which ceased operating under that IRS status at the end of 2025 which was the 50th anniversary year of the ending of the Vietnam War.
It now operates as a Veteran Fellowship located in the State of Minnesota