Veterans of the Secret War in Laos

At the conclusion of the 2025 Legislative Session, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus bill. Governor Walz then signed it into law.

Minn. Laws 2025, Chapter 30 includes a new section of state statute relating to the Veterans of the Secret War in Laos who served with secret guerilla units (SGU) or other irregular forces. The new sections of law establish the definition of a Veteran of the Secret War in Laos and makes these Veterans eligible for specific State Veterans benefits.

This newly enacted Veteran status provides a limited number of State benefits, as follows:

  • Veteran designation on Minnesota drivers’ license and Minnesota ID cards
  • Honor Guards from Congressionally Chartered Veteran Service Organizations can be reimbursed by MDVA for providing services at the funeral of a deceased Veteran
  • Burial privileges at State Veterans Cemeteries
  • Permanent grave markers purchased by MDVA and made available through County Veterans Service Offices or Veterans Service Organizations
  • Veterans Preference provides Veteran job applicants a limited preference in hiring and promotion for public employment jobs; permissive preference is available to non-public jobs.
  • Copies of vital records provided without charge to any Veteran, surviving spouse of next of kin
  • Limited exemption of expiration date for renewal of professional licenses, motor vehicle registration and drivers' licenses
  • Honor and Remember flag

Criteria for Eligibility

The first criteria are for those naturalized under the Federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000. To determine qualification, a Veteran must pre-file for burial with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration by providing a copy of their U.S. Certificate of Naturalization with Registration “A” number which will be used to retrieve naturalization records from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service so that the Federal VA can make its determination. Going through the pre-filing process does not exclude Veterans from being buried in private cemeteries. If a Veteran of the Secret War in Laos is determined to be eligible under these criteria, they are eligible for the benefits starting August 1, 2025.

For SGU Veterans who don’t qualify under the above criteria: a Task Force will begin work in September to provide a recommendation to the Minnesota Legislature to develop criteria and protocols for MDVA to verify the status for these Veterans. The recommendation report is due Legislature next February as the 2026 Legislative session begins. The recommendations must be enacted through the Legislative process and signed by the Governor. Once enacted, Veterans who qualify under these criteria will be able to access the stated benefits and privileges.

More information on the SGU Task Force will be added here as their work progresses in Fall 2025.