After a slow start, the 2025 Minnesota Legislative session is now fully underway. As always, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is actively engaging with our elected officials to educate them on the needs of our state’s Veterans and the support that MDVA provides.

Historically, the Legislature has been very supportive of Veterans, and in 2024 passed a Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill for the third year in a row. However, because agreement on a bonding bill was not reached last year, MDVA did not receive funding for key infrastructure investments.

Therefore, our priorities for this year’s Legislative session will again include both important operating budget adjustments, policy bills, capital funding and technical statute language changes. MDVA Government Affairs Director Jon Kelly and Legislative Liaison Cole Trace coordinate our efforts. Our priorities include:

• The Governor’s budget includes operating adjustments to the budgets of the Healthcare and Programs & Services Divisions so that we can staff up in the new Veterans Homes and continue to deliver the best possible levels of services to Minnesota Veterans and their families.
• Funding for the renovation of Building 16 on the Minneapolis Veterans Home Campus that houses the Minneapolis location of the Domiciliary Program.
• Funding to support a backlog of asset preservation projects of our facilities across the state.
• Updates to Chapter 197 to strengthen protections for Minnesota Veterans around claim predators and the authorization of a Gold Star / Blue Star Family Memorial Plaque.
• State Veterans Cemeteries Burial Eligibility – seeks to align state statute with federal eligibility language and current MDVA administrative practice. There is no change to eligibility detailed on our website.
• MAXIS Database Access - MAXIS is a computer system managed by the Department of Children, Youth and Families used by state and county workers to determine eligibility for public assistance and services. MDVA staff are seeking access to this database to better serve Minnesota Veterans and their families, ensuring they receive benefits and services outside of those provided by MDVA in a more streamlined and efficient way.

You can stay updated on MDVA’s legislative activity by subscribing to our Legislative Update that is published weekly during the session or visit our website to view our /mdva/news/legislative-updates/state-bill-tracker/index.jsponline bill tracker.

If you need information or support on any Veteran issue, please visit our website, contact your County Veterans Service Officer, or contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

Thank YOU for your service!