From the office of Senator Aric Putnam
SAINT PAUL, MN — Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans, Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) highlights a set of new laws, taking effect August 1st, that honor the service of Minnesota’s veteran and military communities.
“I’m proud of the work this Legislature did to honor the service of our veteran communities,” Senator Putnam said. “These laws reflect a simple principle: when Minnesotans answer the call to serve, whether decades ago in Korea and Vietnam or today serving in the National Guard, the state owes them more than gratitude. It owes them recognition and dignity, and that’s what these new laws deliver.”
For Korean Conflict and Vietnam War veterans who left school to serve their country and never finished their education, a new law now grants them an honorary high school diploma. School Districts must issue the diploma upon request, and family members can request one on behalf of a veteran who has passed away.
This session also delivered the first increase in nearly 30 years to the base pay Guard members receive when called into state active service, such as responding to wildfires or floods here at home. The new daily rate will now track the federal E-5 pay level, rather than a flat rate that hasn’t moved since the 1990s.
Because of this new law, honorably discharged National Guard and reserve members, spouses and dependents will, once the program is in place at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, be eligible for burial in Minnesota’s state veteran cemeteries beginning on January 1st, 2027.
“These veterans did not get to finish school because their country asked something bigger of them. The least we can do is finish that chapter for them,” Senator Putnam continued. “Together, these laws reflect a session focused on making sure Minnesota’s veterans and service members are recognized and honored for their service, in life and after.”