Senator Gary Dahms supports bipartisan veterans bill

With strong bipartisan support, the Minnesota Senate on Thursday (April 18) passed legislation that reaffirms Minnesota’s commitment to providing for veterans and military members.

“I am grateful to see the Senate approve this legislation with strong bipartisan support,” Senator Gary Dahms (R ‒Redwood Falls) said. “Supporting Minnesota veterans and military members is never a partisan issue, and as elected officials, we have the responsibility to honor their service. By opening an additional state veterans’ cemetery, more veterans and their families will have the option to be laid to rest close to home.”

Language in the bill allows the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to plan for a new state veterans cemetery in Bemidji. State cemeteries currently exist in Little Falls, Duluth, Preston, and Redwood Falls, with additional national cemeteries in Fort Snelling and Fargo. The goal of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is to provide 95% of veterans with a burial option within 75 miles of their home, and this legislation allows the process to move forward.

Another highlight of the bill is the creation of the Referral Bonus Program, which will provide bonuses for referrals that lead to enlistment in the Minnesota National Guard. This serves as an additional tool for recruitment and retention. To note, the bill does not require the program’s implementation: it simply authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to implement the program to assist in recruitment efforts. A handful of other states have successfully launched similar state-funded programs.

Other sections of the bill include the following provisions:

  • Lifting the cap on funding that counties can appropriate for Memorial Day and Veterans Day exercises.
  • Allows County Veteran Service Officers to get vital documents free of charge.
  • Gives the Adjutant General more flexibility with armories.

Senator Dahms is in his fifth term representing Senate District 15 which includes communities in Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine counties. He also serves as the Republican Lead on the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and is a member of the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee and Finance Committee.