Minnesota Veterans and their families received ongoing support from the 2025 Legislature, ensuring that the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) can continue to provide the highest quality programs and services to those who served our country. We are grateful for this support, detailed in the /mdva/assets/2025-legislative-summary_tcm1066-701941.pdfMDVA 2025 Veterans Legislative Summary. From supporting the launch and operations of our three newest Veterans Homes to expanding statewide efforts to prevent Veteran suicide, and from investing in programming to end Veteran homelessness to addressing Veteran food insecurity, the fourth annual Veterans Omnibus Bill made one thing unmistakably clear: Minnesota Veterans remain a top priority.

The State Legislature convenes its 2026 session on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and MDVA will once again be fully engaged at the State Capitol in the months ahead. While last year’s legislative session focused on establishing the state budget for the biennium, this year’s session is expected to focus on building a public works infrastructure (bonding) bill, targeted policy changes and a limited supplemental budget.

MDVA Government Affairs Director Jon Kelly and Government Affairs Liaison Cole Trace will coordinate efforts to connect with our Legislators, advocating for funding and legislation that will support Minnesota’s nearly 278,000 Veterans. This session they will join other MDVA leaders to provide updates to the House Veterans Affairs committee and advocate for our priorities during this session. We have four policy items and two bonding items. The Governor’s Supplemental Budget is not yet finalized but will be released in March.

Policy requests

Housekeeping and Federal Conformity Bill

This bill includes a position title change and structural modernization to better reflect responsibilities of MDVA’s Central Office Division leader and preserves the Veteran-deputy requirement.

This bill cleans up outdated statutes and ensures that MDVA funds and programs are channeled toward eligible individuals who have not forfeited their rights to federal benefits under US Code 38, Chapter 61. By aligning state benefits, services and programs with federal forfeiture determinations, this portion of the bill ensures a more consistent and fair distribution of resources in a tight fiscal environment.

Authority Clarification for Veteran Organization Collaboration

This bill amends Minnesota Statute 196.22 to create clear authority for the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with organizations that serve Veterans. This will allow the Commissioner to direct agency staff and non-monetary resources to assist in initiatives relating to food insecurity, homelessness and suicide prevention. Finally, it will allow MDVA to have a better real-time response to new issues that may become critical over time.

Veterans Home Closure Statutory Clarification

This bill creates a new subsection in Minnesota Statute 198.01 allowing for additional procedures in the unlikely event that a Minnesota Veterans Home must be temporarily closed due to an involuntary termination notice.

Veterans Education Program Consolidation

This bill modernizes statutory references for Veterans Higher Education Programs that exist in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 197.

This is done through the consolidation of a seldom used State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP) Veterans Education Benefit, clarifying changes to the continued existence of the current Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education Benefit and consolidating Veterans Education Appropriations authority along with technical and administrative updates.

Bonding requests

$23.7 million for asset preservation

Hastings Veterans Home renovation pivot

• $45.0 million for Hastings upgrades and renovation
• $17.2 million for Minneapolis Domiciliary remodel

Finally, a reminder: we are hiring at MDVA locations across the state. Please consider joining our team or encouraging others to do so. Job openings are posted at /mdva/about/work-for-mdva/featured-jobs.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers.

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!