House honors Hmong and other 'Secret War' veterans, passes benefits bill

The Minnesota House on April 30 passed House File 39-19, a bill to expand recognition and state benefits for veterans of the so‑called Secret War in Laos, including Hmong, Laotian and other indigenous veterans and their families. The measure passed by a lopsided recorded vote on the third reading.

Rep. Cha, the bill's author, told the chamber the legislation is ‘‘to codify into Minnesota state law acknowledgement for veterans from the Secret War in Laos’’ and spoke personally about his family’s experience and the broader Hmong community’s sacrifices. ‘‘We stand together to recognize communities in a war that has been long forgotten,’’ Cha said, urging members to support the bill.

Supporters said the legislation implements recommendations from a task force and provides state recognition and access to benefits for veterans who served alongside U.S. forces. Rep. Duran and other members praised the bill as overdue recognition for men and women who served as allies to U.S. forces in Laos. Rep. McDonald, among others, shared personal stories of community sponsorships and refugee resettlement that framed the bill’s impact on families across Minnesota.

The bill drew several members to describe the composition and work of the task force that shaped the legislation. Members stressed the bill is not a broad entitlement expansion but a narrowly tailored recognition tied to task‑force criteria developed over months of meetings with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

On the roll call, the clerk recorded 132 ayes and 0 nays; the bill passed as amended and its title was agreed to.

What’s next: The bill’s enactment will be followed by administrative steps at MDVA to implement the recognition and benefits for qualifying veterans and family members.