"Our Veterans Support Senate File 568 when serious flaws are addressed and amended to include all Asian Allies."

Section I. - General Information and Text of the Legislation as introduced.

A.   SF568 -Minnesota State Senate Veterans Committee passes the bill redifining a Veteran, Refers it to State and Local Government Committee this committee passed it and refered it to the Finance Committee for further action.

B.    HF1845 -House postpones passage by directing the State to establish Task Force to further study the bill's ramification on the Department of Veteran Affairs and the State of Minnesota's Veterans Community.
Text of Section 9.[197.448]  
​VETERAN OF SECRET WAR IN LAOS

​House File 1845 and Senate File 568 were introduced this session redifining a Veteran. 
The legislation redefines a veteran to include the Hmong irregular soldiers that the United States supported during the Veitnam War. For several years the Hmong Community has pushed the United States Congress and State Legilatures to award benifits for those Hmong Veterans. This bill in effect does that. 
It has been controversial as other deserving ethnic veteran allies have been omitted from the legislation. The United States Army Special Forces Association has well as several other Veteran organiztosn has wieghed in on the issue by sending a letter to the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and Veteran Committee Chairmen and members articulating their concerns and flaws identified in the legislation as well as the ommition of other well deserving allies The Unitd States supported during the conflict.

April 2nd the House met and held a hearing on the legislation. Enough questions arose that the committee voted to postpone the passage of HF1845 and introduce a deleat all amendment that directs the Department of Vetean Affairs to establish a task for next year to address the issue.
Later on April 2nd the Senate Veterans Committee met and held a hearing on the Senate language. Several testifiers spoke to the bill including its Chief Author Sen. Fong Hawj and Chairman Putnam who stated that this was not a contiversial bill. That statement took many veterans aback as there was indeed controversy serounding the bill. The bill passed the Senate committee and sent for passage by the Minnesota legislature.
Link to the Senate Veterans Hearing:
Referred to State and Local government for further actions.
Link to the Senate State and Local Government Hearing: on SF568 - 
https://www.lrl.mn.gov/media/file?mtgid=1051265
Referred to Senate Finance for further action.
Link to the Senate Finance Committee Hearing: on SF568 - April 10, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/live/xJNOC3G9b1U?si=M-F_IavUJzO0GJj0
Passed and included in the Senate Veterans Omnibus Bill
Senate File 1959 soon.
SF 1959 - Sec 6. [197.448} Veterans of te Secret War in Laos
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1959&ssn=0&y=2025
Sec. 6. [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 this state 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 received a Medal of Honor, Purple 
Heart, or other military award for service in support of the armed forces of the United States 
in Laos; 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 (c) 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 (c) after the commissioner verifies the 
person's veteran status. By March 30, 2026, the commissioner must:
(1) adopt criteria and a protocol to determine eligibility under subdivision 1, clause (2), 
based upon the recommendations of the Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and Irregular 
Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force; and
(2) begin accepting applications for verification.
(c) 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 197.55 (quarters for 
meetings of veterans organizations); section 197.56 (use of quarters); 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).
Senate File 1959- Veterans Omnibus  Bill
​Floor debate and vote, The bills hearing starts at mark 27:00
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Y8GIO32CQ
SF1959 A14 as amended and passed in Veterans Omubus Conference Committee 5/16/2025
.................... moves to amend S. F. No. 1959, in conference committee, as follows:​ On R5, Veterans and Military Affairs Policy, House language, (UES1959-2)​
Page 15, delete section 9 and insert:​
"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​
05/15/25 09:27 pm ​HOUSE RESEARCH JD/MV S1959A14​
      
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;​
05/15/25 09:27 pm ​HOUSE RESEARCH JD/MV S1959A14​
   
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."​
05/15/25 09:27 pm ​HOUSE RESEARCH JD/MV S1959A14​
​
Link to the House Veterans Committee Hearing;
​Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs Division, April 2, 2025 Hearing
Amendment:  H1845DE1
​House File 1845 - DE1 Amendment-Task Force Established
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF2444&type=bill&version=1&session=ls94&session_year=2025&session_number=0
................... moves to amend H.F. No. 1845 as follows:​ Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:​
"Section 1. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED; VETERANS OF SECRET​ GUERILLA UNITS IN LAOS.​
Subdivision 1. Establishment; membership. (a) The commissioner of veterans affairs​ shall establish a Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units in Laos Advisory Task Force.​
(b) The advisory task force shall 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 United States Department of Veterans Affairs who has​ knowledge of the secret guerilla units;​
(2) a representative of the Minnesota Commanders Task Force designated by the​ Commanders Task Force;​
(3) a representative of the Vietnam Veterans of Minnesota;​
(4) a United States armed forces veteran who served on active duty in Vietnam during​ the Vietnam War;​
(5) a Hmong American Minnesota resident who served in the United States armed forces​ in Vietnam;​
(6) a veteran of a secret guerilla unit in Laos;​
(7) a historian knowledgeable about the secret guerilla units in Laos;​
(8) a representative of the Minnesota Military Museum who has knowledge of the​ Vietnam War designated by the museum's director; and​
03/31/25 11:10 am ​HOUSE RESEARCH JD/RK H1845DE1​  
Section 1.​ 1​
(9) four legislators, with the speaker of the house, the house DFL leader, the senate​ majority leader, and the senate minority leader appointing one member each.​
Subd. 2. Duties; report. (a) The task force must:​
(1) study the support that secret guerilla units in Laos provided to the United States​
armed forces during the Vietnam War;​
(2) establish criteria for determining which Minnesotans served in the secret guerrilla​ units; and​
(3) establish criteria to determine which Minnesotans who served in the secret guerilla​ units 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, and recommendations required under paragraph (a). The commissioner must deliver​ the report to the chairs and minority leaders of the house and senate 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 August 15, 2025, and provide staff support to​ the advisory task force. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision​ 6, shall govern 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 on February 15, 2026."​ Amend the title accordingly​
HF2444 -House Veterans Omnibus Bill
LIne items: 
6.3 -(m) Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and
Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task
Force. $118,000 the first year is for the
commissioner to staff and support the work
of Veterans of Secret Guerilla Units and
Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force.

15.10 - 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 (c) 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 (c) after the commissioner of veterans
affairs verifies the person's veteran status. The commissioner must not begin accepting
applications for verification 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
(2) which of the Minnesotans who served in secret guerilla units or with irregular forces
in Laos are deserving of Minnesota veterans benefits.
(c) 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 197.55 (quarters for
meetings of veterans organizations); section 197.56 (use of quarters); section 197.58 (veterans
organizations); section 197.61 (veterans service organizations grant program); 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).
Press Conference before House Vote on Veteran, defined.
Special Guerilla Unit recognition in House veterans budget bill.
 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dOTlbdHTE-M
Floor vote on Veteran, defined
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5fLThVbSXY​
​The practical effect of SF1959 & HF2444.
     As passed by the Minnesota Legislature, on the Lao/Hmong group of veterans, many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s, is troubling and potentially devastating. The legislation creates a study task force, delaying any recognition of their service until at least 2026, which could mean years of further neglect and uncertainty for aging veterans who fought in the "Secret War" in Laos. Here’s how the current bill impacts these veterans:
1. Delayed Recognition and Benefits
     The bill creates only a study task force, rather than offering immediate recognition of these veterans. This means elderly veterans—many in their 70s and 80s—will have to wait until 2026 just to find out whether they might qualify for benefits. Even then, any action would require new legislation, leaving veterans in limbo for many more years, with no guarantee that they will ever receive recognition.
     This delay in recognition is especially harmful because many of these veterans are elderly and in poor health. Years of waiting for recognition and benefits could result in veterans passing away without seeing the justice they deserve.
2. Lack of Service Records and Verification Issues
     The CIA did not maintain formal records of the service of these guerrilla fighters, making it impossible to verify service in the traditional way. The bill fails to offer a credible or realistic way to address this issue—such as considering oral histories or community testimony—which means the task force may rely on arbitrary decisions that could disadvantage certain groups.
     Veterans who were not Hmong, such as Lao Loum, Lao Theung, and Khmu veterans, risk being excluded due to the bill’s lack of clear service verification methods. The bill does not include adequate provisions to ensure equal recognition for all ethnic groups, which risks violating their constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment by denying them equal protection under the law.
3. Task Force Composition Raises Concerns
     Most of the members of the proposed task force have no direct knowledge or experience with the CIA’s covert operations in Laos, making them ill-equipped to understand the nuances and complexities of this war. Additionally, the bill only reserves one position for someone who actually served in a secret unit, without a clear method for verifying their credentials or expertise.
     The task force is therefore unlikely to make informed, fair decisions, further complicating the issue for veterans seeking recognition.
4. Uncertain and Potentially Unenforceable Outcomes
     The bill’s lack of clear criteria for verifying service and its reliance on a task force with limited expertise creates a bureaucratic dead end. This means that many veterans may never receive the recognition or benefits they deserve, leaving them excluded from the process entirely or subjected to arbitrary decisions based on incomplete or biased information.
     There is also a very real risk that, even after the study is completed in 2026, the Minnesota Legislature may not take any action. This uncertainty leaves veterans facing delayed justice, potentially with no resolution at all.
5. Legal and Fairness Issues
     The lack of fairness in the bill could result in discrimination lawsuits, especially if certain groups are favored over others, or if non-Hmong veterans are excluded without clear justification.
The bill’s legal soundness is in question, as it risks violating constitutional principles, such as equal protection under the law for all veterans who served, regardless of ethnicity.
Conclusion:
     For Lao/Hmong veterans in Minnesota, the passage of SF1959 as written delays justice and threatens the recognition of their service. It leaves them waiting until 2026 to learn if they will ever receive benefits, and even then, there is no guarantee of action. The lack of formal service records, unclear verification methods, and the exclusion of some ethnic groups leave aging veterans vulnerable to being forgotten or excluded.
     Minnesota’s media must hold lawmakers accountable by investigating these issues and ensuring that all veterans, not just a select few, are given the recognition and justice they deserve for their sacrifices in the Secret War in Laos. The current bill is a missed opportunity to provide immediate recognition and action, and its flaws could lead to years of injustice for those who fought in this forgotten chapter of U.S. history.

Section II - Letter to Gov. Walz, Identifing Issues and Flaws

Links to the CAVWV analysis and identified flaws in both SF 568/SF 1959 and
​ the DE1 Amendment to HF 1845/HF 2444.

Section III - Submitted Written Testimoy 

Links to additional written testimony submitted to the Veterans Committee,  State and Local Government Committee.
​Senate Finance Committee

Section IV - Corrected False and Misleading Testimoy 

Claim:  All records of the Hmong were burned before the United States left Laos.-  Made by Rep. Khouly Her, April 4, 2025 at a Minnesota State Veteran Committee hearing in support of HF1845.

This is not true.    Lt. Gen Richard Trefry (RET) the last United States Army officer to leave Laos, stated in a C-SPAN broadcast panel discussion on April 20, 1996, titled " U.S. Intelligence Activity in Laos in the 1960's and 70's.", that he personally gathered all records, two filing cabinets full that were in his possession, boxed them and had sent to the States. One delivery was made to the Army War College in Carlile, PA. Those records although supposedly lost were inadvertenly revealed to CAVWV, Special Projects Director Scott Walker by an assistant resarcher at the research desk at the War College. Walker asked for access to those records. He was told  that the College had sent them out to be digitized. Trefry's statement can be found at 1:54:01 on the linked video here:    https://www.c-span.org/video/?71353-1/us-intelligence-activity-laos

Claim:  The Hmong were the only SGU irregular forces in Laos. - Made by Sen. Fong Hawj on April 7, 2025 at the Minnesota State and Local Government Committee hearing when asked by a Sen. Ann Johnson-Stewart if he knew of any other groups like the Hmong "that came in great numbers" that served in the war.

This is not true.  The Hmong were not the only Special Guerrilla Units (SGU) or irregular forces in Laos during the Vietnam War. The CIA's paramilitary effort relied on a broader coalition of local populations to disrupt North Vietnamese supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and counter Pathet Lao communist forces. In addition to the Hmong the CIA recruited and trained irregular forces from other ethnic groups such as:
1.  Lao Theung (Khmu and others) 
2.  Tai (Tai Dam, Tai Deng,etc.) 
3.  Yao (Mien)
4.  Lowland Lao (Lao Loum)
CIA records and testimonies from operatives indicate that Lao Loum (Lowland Lao) and Lao Theung (midland tribes) comprised approximately 65% of Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) forces, with Hmong making up roughly 35%. This aligns with statements from Hugh B. Tovar, the CIA’s Chief of Station in Laos, who noted that “the best soldiers in Laos… were not Hmong” but Lowland Lao from regions like Savannakhet. (CSPAN video) https://www.c-span.org/video/?71353-1/us-intelligence-activity-laos
​The SGU's themselves were structured as mobile, battalion - sized units of about 300-500 men and were not exclusively Hmong.  So the Hmong were not the only ethnic irregular force in Laos but did play a significant part of a broader, multi-ethnic irregular coalition. Thes facts are well documented in a variaty of books and publications that can be found in the Laos section at:.
 https://www.cavwv.org/further-reading-book--film.htm.
 Statements by Hugh Tovar, CIA Chief of Station in Laos, Former Ambassador Charles Whitehouse and LTG Richard Trefry, MACV Laos can be found in the C-Span video of Aril, 1996 titled " U.S. Inteligence actovoty in Laos". 
 https://www.c-span.org/video/?71353-1/us-intelligence-activity-laos
Therefore, Sen. Fong Hawj may have mislead his colleagues with his answer and/ or is unaware of these facts of history, 
​

Claim:  The Hmong have special status under federal law. - Made by CL Yee Hang (RET) at the April 4, 2025 at a Minnesota State Veteran Committee hearing in support of HF1845.

This is not entirely true.  This argument has often been made discussing Hmong affairs particularly in regard to legislation.
There is no evidence that the Hmong have any special status other than what statues were used to gain expedited immigration and public assistence in the United States. Similar laws assited the Cambodian, Lao Luon and other ethnic groups enter legal pathways and assistance into the United States. 
The information below may be of help.
​
Citations:
The Hmong in the United States do not broadly enjoy a "special status" under federal law in the sense of a unique, overarching legal classification that applies to all Hmong individuals. However, certain federal laws and policies have been enacted specifically to address the needs and circumstances of Hmong immigrants and refugees, particularly those tied to their historical role as allies of the United States during the Vietnam War. These measures reflect recognition of their contributions and the challenges they faced as a result, rather than conferring a blanket "special status" akin to a protected class.

One significant example is the **Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000** (Public Law 106-207). This legislation provided an exemption from the English language requirement and offered special consideration for the civics test for Hmong veterans who served in support of U.S. forces in Laos during the Vietnam War (between February 28, 1961, and September 18, 1978). It applied to those who were admitted to the U.S. as refugees and allowed up to 45,000 eligible individuals to apply for citizenship within a specified period. This law was a targeted acknowledgment of their service and sacrifice, facilitating naturalization for a specific subset of the Hmong population—veterans and, in later amendments, their widows—rather than all Hmong Americans.

Additionally, under the "Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1975" and the "Refugee Act of 1980", many Hmong were admitted to the U.S. as refugees following the fall of Laos to communist forces in 1975. These laws provided legal pathways for resettlement, access to federal assistance programs (such as housing, employment support, and healthcare), and eventual permanent residency or citizenship. While these policies applied to Southeast Asian refugees broadly, the Hmong were a significant beneficiary due to their large-scale displacement and their direct involvement with U.S. military efforts in the Secret War in Laos.

Another relevant measure is "Section 586 of Public Law 106-429" (2000), which allowed certain natives or citizens of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos—including many Hmong—who were paroled into the U.S. before October 1, 1997, to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents. This was limited to 5,000 individuals and required physical presence in the U.S. on and before that date, reflecting a specific immigration benefit tied to their refugee history.

Beyond these examples, Hmong Americans are subject to the same federal laws as other U.S. residents or citizens, depending on their immigration status. There are no ongoing, distinct legal privileges or protections that apply exclusively to all Hmong individuals as an ethnic group under federal law. However, their historical context has led to legislative actions that address specific needs, particularly for veterans and early refugees. For instance, proposals like the **Hmong and Lao Refugee Deportation Prohibition Act of 2020** (H.R. 6034), which sought to defer deportation of certain Hmong and Lao individuals with removal orders, indicate periodic efforts to protect segments of the community, though this bill did not become law.

In summary, while the Hmong do not have a comprehensive "special status" under federal law, specific statutes have granted targeted benefits—mainly citizenship facilitation and refugee resettlement support—to subsets of the Hmong population in recognition of their unique historical circumstances. These measures are exceptions rather than a general rule, and most Hmong Americans today navigate federal law as any other immigrant or citizen group would.

 Claim:   The Hmong constituted the majority of Lao Special Gurilla Units (SGU) irregular forces.

This is not true.  It it is claimed that the Hmong constituted the majority of Lao irregular forces during the Vietnam War is not supported by reliable evidence and is contradicted by historical accounts of CIA and Congressional records. 
​1. Ethnic Composition of Irregular Forces,
Non-Hmong Majority:
CIA records and testimonies from operatives indicate that Lao Loum (Lowland Lao) and Lao Theung (midland tribes) comprised approximately 65% of Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) forces in Laos, with Hmong making up roughly 35%. This aligns with statements from Hugh B. Tovar, the CIA’s Chief of Station in Laos, who noted that “the best soldiers in Laos… were not Hmong” but Lowland Lao from regions like Savannakhet (CSPAN video) and the "Top Secret" now declassified 1971 Moose Lownstein Report to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on U.S. Security Agreements and Commitments Abroad.( see Moose Lowenstein Report )
Thai and Other Volunteers:
Thai irregular units, e.g. Project Unity battalions and Thai Forward Air Guides, were a major force multiplication in support of both Lao and Hmong irregular units do to the depleaton in numbers of Lao and Hmong youth available for recruitment into the irregular forces. Between 1961 and 1970 the Lao and Hmong populations suffered casualties in greater numbers than could be equally replaces.
2. Lack of CIA Documentation
Incomplete Records:
The CIA’s focus on operational secrecy and its reliance on oral agreements with local leaders (e.g., Hmong General Vang Pao) led to minimal written records of non-Hmong irregulars. Many Lao Loum and Lao Theung units operated under Lao officers whose service details were not formally archived.
Hmong-CIA Publicity:
The Hmong became the most publicized group due to their close collaboration with the CIA in northern Laos (e.g., Operation Momentum) and their later refugee resettlement in the U.S., which drew media attention. By contrast, Lowland Lao forces in southern Laos received less visibility despite their larger numbers.
3. Evidence for Hmong Minority Status
Declassified CIA Sources:
A 1996 C-SPAN seminar featuring CIA officers confirmed that Hmong were one of many ethnic groups recruited, with Lowland Lao forming the backbone of SGUs in key regions.
Post-War Advocacy:
Organizations like the Coalition of Allied Vietnam Veterans (CAVWV) have highlighted the exclusion of non-Hmong groups from U.S. recognition programs, arguing that the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 inadvertently erased contributions from Lao Loum and Lao Theung veterans.
Why the Misconception Persists
Media Focus:
Cold War-era press coverage centered on the Hmong’s role in the “Secret War,” overshadowing other groups.
Post-War Refugee Narratives:
The Hmong diaspora’s advocacy in the U.S. amplified their historical role, while non-Hmong Lao veterans lacked similar platforms.
CIA Declassification Bias:
Declassified documents disproportionately detail Hmong operations, reflecting the CIA’s northern Laos focus rather than the broader conflict.

Conclusion
Reliable evidence shows the Hmong were not a majority of Lao irregular forces but were overrepresented in U.S. narratives due to geopolitical factors and post-war advocacy. The CIA’s incomplete documentation and media emphasis on the Hmong’s northern operations have perpetuated this imbalance, obscuring the contributions of Lao Loum, Lao Theung, and Thai volunteers.

Claim: The Hmong operated along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

This is not True.  Roadwatch teams operating along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos during the Vietnam War were manned by Low Land Lao or Lao Loum  Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) and Royal Lao Army soldiers, additionally ethnic Lao Theung, Montagnard and covert South Veitnamese and Khmer teams also contributed to the effort. These teams were trained and supported by United States Army Special Forces in covert training Camps in Thailand. Their role was to monitor and report on North Vietnamese troop and supply movements along the trail, often under dangerous conditions. According to Richard Holme the CIA Chief of Station in Laos from 1962 to 1964, the Ho Chi Minh Trail began in Military Region 3 in Central Laos, primarily through the the strategically important Mu Gia pass though the mountains of Laos. Far south of Military Region 2 where the Hmong were. His accounts can be found in the C-SPAN clip here: 
https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/user-clip-road-watch-operation-and-the-ho-chi-minh-trail/5160439
Maps of the trail, images 6 & 10, can be found here:   https://www.cavwv.org/maps.html
Note:  This might help explain this unfortunate notion.
Dr. Ha Tuong, states in his letter to the Minnesota Legilature, April 12, 2025 that. "I believe the former Hmong military did not make up stories when they participated in Hmong Studies programs: their lack of western culture, updated knowledge and basic education put them behind. They had no idea what or where the Ho Chi Minh Trail meant or was, so any encountering with the North Vietnamese Army where ever in Laos was the same as fighting on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to them." -- "Hmong Studies in many schools are mostly based on collecting adult oral stories and not on hard facts. To base law on oral history is dangerous and unprofessional". .-- "The Hmong culturally relied on oral history as the means to teach the generations of their culture as they did not have any written language until the early 1970s. The majority of the adults in the 1970s were illiterate." .-- "I served as a full time teacher who taught thousands of Southeast Asian immigrants of age 12-21 for 6 years in Minneapolis School District. I helped design curriculum, staff development, text books, parental guidance and I taught ESL to adults of age 18-65 in the evenings for at least two decades, so I know their populations, needs, acculturation, politics, aspirations well.  The Hmong people as I know them are honest, peaceful, eager to help, polite and determined to become constructive citizens. But so are the Lao, Khmer and Vietnamese".    Statements from Dr. Ha Tuong's letter of testimony regarding SF568, April 12, 2025.

Section V - Excluded Allies and Units

  List of excluded allies from Cambodia, Vietnam,
         Laos, Tiawan and Thailand

Section VI.  - Veterans Omnibus Hearing and Conclution

SF 1959 A14 as amended, heard and passed in Committee on 5/16/2025


.................... moves to amend S. F. No. 1959, in conference committee, as follows:​ On R5, Veterans and Military Affairs Policy, House language, (UES1959-2)​
Page 15, delete section 9 and insert:​
"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;​
05/15/25 09:27 pm ​HOUSE RESEARCH JD/MV S1959A14​
​  
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."​
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Section VII - TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED TO IDENIFY SGU VETERANS

Task Force Details
Unresolved Identity issues return, now in Minnesota 

Section VIII - Historical Background on the Hmong & Lao in America

Veterans from Laos: War, Remembrance, Ritual, Rank, Racism, and the Making of Hmong and Lao America ​

by Ian Baird and Paul Hillmer, Hmong Studies Journal, 21(2020): 1-37.

CAVWV Lao/Hmong Veteran Organization Briefing

as found in the CAVWV Report and Analysis to MDVA Task Force, Agenda B, Lao/Hmong Veteran Organizations Briefing.

Section IX - Sec.9. [197.448] Veteran of the Secret War in Laos.- text of new law and issues found 

Minnesota Chapter 30, SF 1959, Article 2
TEXT
Audio file duration: 11:58
https://speechify.app.link/e/4lxsM8kEXYb

​Section 9. (new 197.448) 
new text begin 
[197.448] VETERAN OF THE SECRET WAR IN LAOS.
new text end /new text begin 
Subdivision 1. 
new text end /new text begin 
Definition. 
new text end /new text begin 
As used in this section, the term "veteran of the Secret War in Laos" means a person who resides in Minnesota and who:
new text end /new text begin 
​(1) was naturalized as provided in section 2(1) of the federal Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-207; or
new text end /new text begin 
(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.
new text end /new text begin 
Subd. 2. 
new text end /new text begin 
Eligibility for benefits and privileges. 
new text end /new text begin 
(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.
new text end /new text begin 
(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:
new text end /new text begin 
(1) which Minnesotans served in special guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos; and
new text end /new text begin 
(2) which of the Minnesotans who served in special guerilla units or with irregular forces in Laos are deserving of Minnesota veterans benefits.
new text end /new text begin 
(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.
new text end /new text begin
(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 licenses, motor vehicle registration, and drivers' licenses); and section 197.987 (honor and remember flag).
new text end 
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.608, subdivision 6, is amended to read:Subd. 6. Grant amount. (a) Each county is eligible to receive an annual grant of $7,500 for the following purposes:
(1) to provide outreach to the county's veterans;
(2) to assist in the reintegration of combat veterans into society;
(3) to collaborate with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other community organizations for the purposes of enhancing services offered to veterans;
(4) to reduce homelessness among veterans; and
(5) to enhance the operations of the county veterans service office.
(b) In addition to the grant amount in paragraph (a), each county is eligible to receive an additional annual grant under this paragraph. The amount of each additional annual grant must be determined by the commissioner and may not exceed:
(1) $0, if the county's veteran population is less than 1,000;
(2) $2,500, if the county's veteran population is 1,000 or more but less than 3,000;
(3) $5,000, if the county's veteran population is 3,000 or more but less than 5,000;
(4) $7,500, if the county's veteran population is 5,000 or more but less than 10,000;
(5) $10,000, if the county's veteran population is 10,000 or more but less than 20,000;
(6) $15,000, if the county's veteran population is 20,000 or more but less than 30,000; or
(7) $20,000, if the county's veteran population is 30,000 or more.
(c) The Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers is eligible to receive an annual grant of deleted text begin $100,000deleted text end new text begin  $160,000new text end . The grant 
deleted text begin 
shall
deleted text end /new text begin  
must
new text end
be used for administrative costs of the association, certification of mandated county veterans service officer training and accreditation, and costs associated with reintegration services.
new text begin  
Up to $60,000 of this amount may be used to train technical assistance coordinators and for technical assistance coordinators to travel to consult with Minnesota counties on specific areas of expertise upon request. The Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers executive board must select technical assistance coordinators, who are either county veterans service officers or assistant county veterans service officers, to serve for a minimum of one year.
new text end /new text begin 
(d) new text end The veteran population of each county shall be determined by the figure supplied by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as adopted by the commissioner.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
(c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who has died as a result of the person's military service, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration, and who was a resident of this state: (1) within six months of entering the United States armed forces, or (2) for the six months preceding the veteran's date of death.
(d) "Eligible child" means a person who:
(1) is the natural or adopted child or stepchild of a deceased veteran; and
(2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher education.
(e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in this state that either is operated by this state or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, or is licensed or registered with the Office of Higher Education.
(f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veterannew text begin , regardless of whether the surviving spouse remarries
new text end .
(g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:
(1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher education;
(2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's enlistment or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the person's federal form DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the commissioner;
(3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and
(4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a resident student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.
(h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 10.
(i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.
(j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 197.791, subdivision 4, is amended to read:Subd. 4. Eligibility. (a) A person is eligible for educational assistance under subdivision 5 if:
(1) the person is:
(i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces at any time;
(ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001;
(iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amendednew text begin , except that remarriage does not terminate a surviving spouse's eligibilitynew text end ; or
(iv) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; and
(2) the person receiving the educational assistance is a Minnesota resident, as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8; and
(3) the person receiving the educational assistance:
(i) is an undergraduate or graduate student at an eligible institution;
(ii) is maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution for students participating in federal Title IV programs;
(iii) is enrolled in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at an eligible institution;
(iv) has applied for educational assistance under this section prior to the end of the academic term for which the assistance is being requested;
(v) is in compliance with child support payment requirements under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5); and
(vi) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
(b) A person's eligibility terminates when the person becomes eligible for benefits under section 135A.52.
(c) To determine eligibility, the commissioner may require official documentation, including the person's federal form DD-214 or other official military discharge papers; correspondence from the United States Veterans Administration; birth certificate; marriage certificate; proof of enrollment at an eligible institution; signed affidavits; proof of residency; proof of identity; or any other official documentation the commissioner considers necessary to determine eligibility.
(d) The commissioner may deny eligibility or terminate benefits under this section to any person who has not provided sufficient documentation to determine eligibility for the program. An applicant may appeal the commissioner's eligibility determination or termination of benefits in writing to the commissioner at any time. The commissioner must rule on any application or appeal within 30 days of receipt of all documentation that the commissioner requires. The decision of the commissioner regarding an appeal is final. However, an applicant whose appeal of an eligibility determination has been rejected by the commissioner may submit an additional appeal of that determination in writing to the commissioner at any time that the applicant is able to provide substantively significant additional information regarding the applicant's eligibility for the program. An approval of an applicant's eligibility by the commissioner following an appeal by the applicant is not retroactively effective for more than one year or the semester of the person's original application, whichever is later.
(e) Upon receiving an application with insufficient documentation to determine eligibility, the commissioner must notify the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the application that the application is being suspended pending receipt by the commissioner of sufficient documentation from the applicant to determine eligibility.
Sec. 13. 
new text begin 
ADVISORY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED; VETERANS OF SPECIAL GUERILLA UNITS AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS.
new text end /new text begin 
Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Establishment; membership. 
new text end /new text begin 
(a) The commissioner of veterans affairs must establish a Veterans of Special Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos Advisory Task Force.
​new text end /new text begin 
(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:
new text end /new text begin 
(1) a representative of the Minnesota Commanders Task Force designated by the Commanders Task Force;
new text end /new text begin 
(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);
new text end /new text begin 
(3) a United States armed forces veteran who served on active duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War;
new text end /new text begin 
(4) a Hmong American Minnesota resident who served in the United States armed forces;
new text end /new text begin 
(5) two veterans of a special guerilla unit or irregular forces in Laos;
new text end /new text begin 
(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);
new text end /new text begin 
(7) one member with direct experience in United States intelligence or special operations in Southeast Asia during the dates established in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.448, subdivision 1, clause (2); and
new text end /new text begin 
(8) four legislators, with one member each appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, the house Democratic-Farmer-Labor leader, the senate majority leader, and the senate minority leader.
new text end /new text begin 
Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Duties; report. new text end new text begin (a) The task force must:new text end 
new text begin (1) establish criteria for determining which Minnesotans served in the special guerrilla units or with irregular forces in Laos; and
new text end /new text begin
(2) establish criteria and a protocol to determine which Minnesotans who served in the special 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.
new text end/ new text begin 
(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.
new text end /new text begin 
Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Administration; terms of membership. new text end new text begin 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.
new text end /new text begin 
Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Expiration. new text end new text begin The task force expires February 15, 2026.
new text end 
Sec. 14. 
new text begin 
GOLD STAR AND BLUE STAR FAMILIES; MEMORIAL PLAQUE.new text end new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Purpose. new text end new text begin The state of Minnesota wishes to honor and recognize the service and sacrifices of Gold Star and Blue Star families.
new text end /new text begin 
Subd. 2.
new text end /new text begin 
Memorial plaque. 
new text end/ new text begin 
The commissioner of administration shall place a memorial plaque in the court of honor on State Capitol grounds to recognize the service and sacrifices of Minnesota's Gold Star and Blue Star families. The process for determining design and location of the Gold Star and Blue Star memorial will follow the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board commemorative works rules under Minnesota Rules, part 2400.2703. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board shall select a design from the submitted designs to use as a basis for final production. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board must include the commissioner of veterans affairs on the design review committee established under Minnesota Rules, part 2400.2703. The memorial design must be furnished by the person or group who submit the design at no cost to the state.
new text end 
Presented to the governor May 20, 2025
Signed by the governor May 23, 2025, 10:52 a.m.
BENIFITS PROVIDED UNDER NEW LAW
Here’s a breakdown of what Minnesota Statute section 197.448 (referred to as “Sec. 9 [197-448]”) does — and what benefits / privileges it provides to a newly-recognized veteran under that statute. 
​
Who qualifies:
  • The statute covers people living in Minnesota who qualify as a “veteran of the Secret War in Laos.” That includes:
    1. Persons who were naturalized under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-207).  
    2. Persons — U.S. citizens or permanent residents — whom the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) verifies served honorably with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating out of Laos in support of U.S. forces between February 28, 1961 and May 14, 1975.  ​
Once verified, such individuals become eligible for the same benefits as other Minnesota veterans (as defined in statute  ).

What benefits and privileges 
If a person is recognized under this statute (i.e., verified), they become eligible for a suite of state-level veteran benefits and privileges. Specifically: 
  • Veteran designation on Minnesota driver’s licenses and state identification cards (per statute section 171.07, subdivision 15).  
  • Ability to purchase government grave markers.  
  • Access to honor guard services.  
  • Burial in state veterans cemeteries.  
  • Veteran hiring preference (veterans preference) for public employment under state and local civil service laws.  
  • Permissive preference in private employment (i.e. private employers may give preference to veterans) under statute section 197.4551.  
  • Access to vital records / certified copies (birth certificates, death certificates, etc.) under certain veteran-related provisions.  
  • Benefits when renewing professional licenses, motor vehicle registration, and driver’s licenses (e.g. possibly reduced fees or smoother processing — as provided for vets under statute).  
  • Eligibility to receive the “Honor and Remember” flag (a symbolic flag honoring veterans).


What “newly-identified veteran” means under this law
  • If the person was naturalized under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act (clause (1) above), the benefits apply as of July 2, 2025.  
  • If the person is recognized under the “irregular forces / guerrilla unit” clause (clause (2)), they become eligible only after the MDVA verifies their veteran status — and only after criteria and verification protocols are established by the Legislature.  
  • Once verified, the MDVA provides a certificate of eligibility to the veteran via a special form.  
So “newly-identified veteran” under this statute would, after verification (if needed), be formally treated like any other Minnesota veteran under state law and enjoy the associated state benefits.

Additional context & what this law does not necessarily give
  • The statute does not — in itself — create new benefits beyond those already available to veterans under state law; rather, it extends existing veteran benefits to a group (Secret War in Laos veterans) that previously may not have been covered.  
  • Some benefits (for example, education-related benefits or special “GI Bill” benefits) under other state statutes might exist, but Sec. 197.448 does not automatically provide them — it only ensures access to those benefits and privileges explicitly listed (the ones above).
  • For clause (2) veterans (those recognized as irregular-forces in Laos), there’s a verification step and — as of the latest statute — the MDVA must wait until the Legislature enacts verification protocols before accepting applications.  
Here’s a broader look — state-level benefits provided to veterans under Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) / Minnesota state law — and thus potentially available to a “newly identified” veteran under the eligibility from Minnesota Statutes § 197.448 (or more broadly, as a Minnesota veteran). I highlight (1) benefits that apply broadly to eligible veterans, and (2) enhanced benefits for veterans with service-connected disability or other particular status.

Core State-Level Veteran Benefits (for eligible MN veterans)
Once recognized by MDVA (or by meeting the state’s veteran definition), a veteran may access many of the following benefits. 
• Financial & emergency assistance
  • Assistance via the “Subsistence Assistance” program: if a veteran becomes disabled or cannot work, MDVA may help with shelter (rent/mortgage), utilities, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and other basic needs.  
  • “Veteran’s Relief Grant” / “Special Needs / Emergency Financial Assistance”: one-time (or occasional) grants when a veteran (or their dependents) are experiencing hardship.  
• Health-related / care services support
  • Dental assistance: for low-income veterans (and often their dependents) to cover routine dental care; sometimes extraction/denture benefits.  
  • Optical (vision) assistance: for eye exams and prescription eyewear (glasses or contacts) for veterans / dependents under income eligibility.  
  • Access to state-operated veterans’ homes (long-term care, skilled nursing, domiciliary care) for eligible veterans (and in some cases their spouses).  
• Education support
  • A one-time grant of up to $750 tuition assistance for veterans who have used up their federal GI Bill benefits and wish to complete a bachelor’s degree at an eligible Minnesota institution.  
  • Help with navigating education — including transfer credit for military training, enrollment support, on-campus veteran resource centers, etc.  
  • For surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition: tuition-free attendance at eligible Minnesota public post-secondary institutions until a bachelor’s degree is earned, plus up to $750 per fiscal year for fees, books, supplies, room & board.  
• Burial and memorial services
  • Access to state veterans cemeteries for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children.  
  • Grave markers (e.g., bronze markers) via MDVA for eligible veterans.  
• Support for veteran families, dependents, survivors
  • “Veteran Family Assistance” — connecting veterans and their families to support services, legal help, mental health/substance use counseling, homelessness prevention, etc.  
  • Special programs for dependent children, surviving spouses/children.  

Additional / Enhanced Benefits (Often for Disabled Veterans or Those with Service-Connected Disability)
For veterans who are honorably discharged and have a certified service-connected disability (or are otherwise determined eligible), Minnesota offers several enhanced benefits:

• Property Tax / Homestead Market Value Exclusion
  • Under Minnesota Statutes § 273.13, a disabled veteran’s homestead may qualify for a “market value exclusion”: for a 70% or greater disability → up to $150,000 of market value excluded; for 100% total & permanent disability → up to $300,000 excluded.  
  • This exclusion lowers the taxable market value of the home — which generally lowers property taxes.  
  • If a qualifying veteran dies, in some cases the benefit can continue for the surviving spouse (under certain conditions) or a designated primary family caregiver.  


• Recreation / Hunting & Fishing Licenses (for 100% Disabled Veterans)
  • A veteran with 100% service-connected disability is eligible for a free permanent fishing (angling) license.  
  • They may also be eligible for free small-game, deer, or other hunting licenses (subject to wildlife regulations).  
  • These hunting/fishing benefits provide access to Minnesota’s outdoor recreation — which many veterans value for therapeutic, lifestyle, or family purposes.  


What This Means for a “Newly Identified Veteran” (e.g., under § 197.448)
  • Once verified as a qualifying veteran under the statute (or generally as a veteran under Minnesota law), you become eligible to use the benefits listed above — many of them immediately (education support, financial/relief grants, cemetery/burial benefits, family support, dental/optical, etc.).
  • If you also have a certified service-connected disability, you may additionally qualify for the enhanced benefits (property tax exclusion, free hunting/fishing licenses, etc.).
  • These benefits are not automatic: for many (property tax exclusion, license exemptions, financial assistance), you must apply — usually through your county assessor’s office (for tax exclusion) or local County Veterans Service Officer (for MDVA-administered grants and aid).  


PROBLEMS FOUND
​in Chapter 30, SF 1959, Section 9.[new 197-448] and Section 13   
ADVISORY TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED; VETERANS OF SPECIAL GUERILLA UNITS AND IRREGULAR FORCES IN LAOS.
Minnesota Chapter 30, SF 1959, Section 9 (new § 197.448) and Section 13 (the advisory task force) create a definitional and procedural gap that could materially weaken enforceability. Here’s a structured analysis.

1. Core discrepancy: undefined class of veterans
Section 13 repeatedly uses the phrase “veterans of special guerrilla units and irregular forces in Laos”, a category not fully defined in any other section.
Section 9 attempts to define “veteran of the Secret War in Laos”, but it only provides:
  • Clause (1): Those already naturalized under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 (a closed federal list).
  • Clause (2): Those the commissioner determines served honorably with a guerrilla or irregular force once the legislature enacts criteria and protocol.
The problem is that no criteria or protocol yet exist, and § 197.448 explicitly bars the commissioner from accepting applications until the legislature provides them.
Meanwhile, Section 13 orders a task force to draft exactly those criteria and report them by February 2026.
So until that report is received, no lawful mechanism exists to identify the clause (2) veterans, even though Section 9(c) obligates the commissioner to design a verification certificate form by September 2025. The agency cannot fulfill that duty without the legislative criteria that depend on the task force’s future work.
Result:
  • Administrative standstill between effective date and February 2026.
  • Procedural circularity: § 197.448 requires legislative enactment before verification can begin, but the task force is only empowered to recommend enactment.
Thus, the statute technically defines benefits but supplies no enforceable pathway for extending them beyond those already naturalized under federal Public Law 106‑207.

2. Ambiguity in referenced veteran categories
Section 13 introduces a new descriptive category — “Veterans of Special Guerilla Units and Irregular Forces in Laos” — without declaring it synonymous with “veterans of the Secret War in Laos” from § 197.448.
Minnesota drafting conventions normally use cross‑reference phrases such as “as defined in section 197.448” to ensure continuity of meaning. That phrase is missing here.
Hence:
  • A literal reading could treat these as two separate populations — one defined in § 197.448, another undefined in § 13 — causing interpretive uncertainty for appointment and eligibility.
  • Because task force seats rely on self‑identification within the undefined group, the commissioner’s appointments could lack statutory authority if challenged.

3. Additional internal inconsistencies
  • In § 197.448, Subd. 2(b) delays implementation “until the legislature enacts criteria and a protocol,” suggesting criteria will come by law, not task‑force recommendation. Section 13, however, assigns such work to a temporary advisory task force — a non‑legislative entity. The commissioner has no authority to adopt its recommendations absent enactment.
  • The statute instructs the commissioner to “develop the form” by a fixed date before receiving any verification criteria. Agencies typically cannot finalize forms that hinge on undefined eligibility standards.
  • The statute creates no bridge mechanism to incorporate the task force’s findings into § 197.448 without a new bill. Unless the 2026 legislature acts, the commissioner remains unable to verify anyone beyond those already covered by clause (1).

4. Potential legal and procedural consequences
Because of these overlaps and omissions, enforcement could be attacked on several grounds:
  1. Vagueness/delegation doctrine: Leaving veteran-status standards to a task force without a statutory definition may violate Minnesota’s non‑delegation principles (see Lee v. Delmont, 228 Minn. 101 (1949)).
  2. Impossibility defense: Agencies cannot implement conflicting deadlines when enabling criteria do not yet exist.
  3. Equal‑protection or due‑process risks: Two groups—federally naturalized Hmong veterans (immediately eligible) and all others who fought identically but lack documentation—receive unequal treatment absent a rationally related justification.

5. Recommended legislative or drafting corrections
To make the law enforceable and internally consistent, the legislature should:
  • Explicitly state that “veterans of special guerrilla units and irregular forces in Laos” in § 13 are identical to “veterans of the Secret War in Laos” defined in § 197.448.
  • Add a clause in § 197.448 authorizing the commissioner to adopt interim administrative rules based on the task‑force report, pending formal enactment.
  • Either move or align the September 15,  2025 deadline to occur after the task‑force report (February 2026).
  • Ensure legislative adoption of the criteria soon after the report to activate § 197.448 Subd. 2(b).
  • Direct the TF to draft specific statutory text (definitions, cross‑references, and transition provisions) rather than just broad recommendations. 
  • Require the TF to propose objective evidentiary standards and documentation hierarchies (e.g., what records, affidavits, unit rosters, intelligence documents, etc., are acceptable) to support the commissioner’s determinations under § 197.448, subd. 1(2). 
  • Address due‑process safeguards in the protocol (notice, opportunity to respond, appeal standards) so that the commissioner’s decisions are defensible. 
  • Explicitly analyze and recommend how state‑level recognition and benefits interact with existing federal limits on SGU/Hmong veterans’ status (to avoid promising what state law cannot deliver). 
Without all these elements, the task force’s mandate remains more conceptual than operational, not yet a complete specification of the detailed, legally robust marching orders the task force should have received.

In short: Section 13 creates an advisory group referring to a cohort that § 9 defines only conditionally, producing a circular dependency that precludes implementation until future legislative action. Without amendment or clarifying legislation, the law is partially inoperative and severely limited in enforceability.


Of course, Supreme Court decisions and other administrative law does not permit a state to use the fact that US Immigration has granted immigration and naturalization to then authorize its MDVA to grant veterans benefits using the same criteria for veterans benefits as the criteria for immigration and naturalization.

Neither can the US Veterans Admin authorize burial in national cemeteries to persons it decides are authorized based on criteria used by US Immigration to authorize immigration and naturalization.

Legal and Administrative Law AnalysisThe legal constraints that prevent Minnesota from treating federal immigration decisions as authoritative proof of SGU military service.
The key cases are the two Supreme Court decisions in SEC v. Chenery:
  • Chenery I (1943): A court may not uphold an agency decision based on reasons the agency did not itself state.
  • Chenery II (1947): Agencies may develop policy through adjudication, but only within their statutory authority and with clear reasoning.
Applied here, Chenery confirms that INS adjudications under PL 106-207 cannot be reinterpreted as military-service findings, because INS lacked authority, records, access to CIA documentation, and did not assert such a conclusion in any decision.
​
The legal conclusion is clear:
Minnesota may create its own recognition system, but cannot substitute INS immigration decisions for actual verification of SGU service.

​

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