Panel re-refers bill to Transportation amid debate over SGU veteran designation and driver'license costs
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Summary
House File 3919, a bill implementing task force recommendations to recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) and irregular forces from the Laos "secret war," was presented to the Veterans and Military Affairs Division. Members debated whether the bill should add an SGU-specific veteran designation on driver's licenses, burial fee changes, and whether some allied groups were omitted from the task force record. The committee voted to re-refer HF3919 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.
Representative Cha introduced House File 3919 as a legislative follow-up to a task force convened by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to consider recognition and state benefits for Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans and other irregular forces who operated from bases in Laos between 1961 and 1975.
John Kelly, director of government affairs for MDVA, told the committee the bill largely mirrors the task force report and includes technical recommendations and updates. "The bill before you, house file 3919, is reflective of the language that is in the task force report," Kelly said. Kelly explained that the bill would add SGU veterans into state burial-fee statute language so that burial costs could be covered if eligible veterans choose interment in a state veteran cemetery, though he said questions remain about headstone costs.
Public witnesses spoke for and against specific provisions. Tu Young, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and task force member, said he supported HF3919 but recommended removing the SGU designation from Minnesota driver's licenses, arguing the task force did not propose creating two distinct classes of veteran on identity documents and warning of additional Department of Public Safety costs. "Therefore, I highly recommend amending HF3919 to remove SGU veteran designation from the Minnesota driver license," Tu Young said.
Scott Walker, another task force member and coalition founder, urged the committee to review documents he had submitted, saying his research found ambiguities and that some allies who fought in Laos are omitted from state consideration. "Without your knowledge of what's in those reports, you may be making a big mistake on what you pass here," Walker told lawmakers.
Members questioned MDVA on the practical effects of the bill. Representative Clardy asked about the burial fee schedule; Kelly said SGU veterans would be added into the existing burial-fee statute and that the spouse/dependent fee in that subdivision is adjusted by CPI over time, not a separately created schedule. Several legislators expressed concern that placing an SGU designation on driver's licenses could cost more than expected. Representative Rauch warned against "separate but equal" arrangements and said a special designation risks administrative waste and could delay passage if it requires a Transportation committee stop.
Kelly noted the task force met eight times, posted full recordings and materials online, and used a process aligned with the National Cemetery Administration for federal coordination. He said the task force recommendations were designed to return to the legislature for final decisions about benefits and implementation details.
Representative Cha moved that House File 3919 be re-referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee voted 'aye' and the motion carried.
The committee did not finalize benefit language or resolve the driver's-license designation question; members requested follow-up information, and the bill will be considered next by Transportation.
