(KNSI) — The Minnesota House of Representatives and the state Senate have passed their versions of the Veterans Affairs Conference Committee Report, finalizing a bipartisan agreement that strengthens mental health services, funds veterans’ homes, and delivers pension fairness for the National Guard.
The conference report preserves the core priorities passed earlier this session, including a major investment in suicide prevention aimed at reducing the loss of nearly 100 veterans to per year in Minnesota. It also provides pension credit for National Guard members deployed for state active duty by treating service during floods and wildfires with the same respect as federal deployments. It also includes honorary recognition for Special Guerrilla Units who assisted U.S. forces in Vietnam, without redefining what it means to be a veteran, as well as a provision to honor Gold and Blue Star families with a permanent plaque on the Capitol Mall.
New to the final agreement is full funding for Minnesota’s eight Veterans Homes, including new facilities that opened last year.
The final agreement passed the House unimously.
The Senate version of the bill passed the chamber 45-19 and includes $300,000 to fund Lutheran Social Services’ work providing free meals to veterans living in greater Minnesota. The money will specifically be used for the LSS expansion of Meals on Wheels for veterans living outstate.
The legislation now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
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