[ST. PAUL, MN] –Today, Governor Tim Walz signed five bills. 

HF 3522, the omnibus veterans and military affairs bill, raises the minimum pay for active duty Minnesota National Guard members by tying their pay rate to the base pay rate set by the federal government for an E-5 (Sergeant) service member; establishes and clarifies anti-fraud protections to ensure that legislatively appropriated grant money for Minnesota Veterans, active duty service members, and their families goes to the intended people; brings the state into compliance with federal law by authorizing the commissioner of veterans affairs to close a veterans home in the event the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issues an involuntary termination notice; implements the recommendations of the Special Guerilla Units (SGU) Task Force, clarifying eligibility standards and protocols and benefits for veterans of the Secret War in Laos; creates an SGU Veteran designation for Minnesota drivers licenses and ID cards; allows eligible honorably discharged Minnesota National Guard members and their immediate families to be buried in the State Veterans Cemeteries; and permanently establishes the Commanders Task Force in state law. 

SF 856, creates the Office of the Inspector General, requires reporting, and appropriates funding.

HF 3709, allows certain virtual-currency custody services to be offered and performed by banking institutions.

HF 4987, designates a portion of Ramsey County State-Aid Highway 96 in White Bear Lake as the “Master Sergeant Nicole Amor Memorial Highway.”

SF 476, the omnibus human services bill, expands certain medical assistance services to include coverage of care evaluations, modifies rates for homemaker services, home health agency services, and home care nursing services, and requires reporting.