Purpose

• Update and expand the inscriptions used on Minnesota veteran special license plates and outline how the plates are designed. The bill would amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 168.123, subdivision 2, to specify which words or images appear on plates for different veterans and medal recipients, and to clarify eligibility and administration related to these plates.

Main Provisions

• Design responsibilities

  • The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs must design the emblem for the veteran special plates, subject to the commissioner's approval.

• Inscriptions by veteran category

  • Vietnam veteran (service after July 1, 1961 and before July 1, 1978): VIETNAM VET.
  • Pearl Harbor survivor (stationed on Oahu or offshore during the Pearl Harbor attack): PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR.
  • World War II veteran: WORLD WAR VET.
  • Korean Conflict veteran: KOREAN VET.
  • Combat wounded veteran (Purple Heart recipient): COMBAT WOUNDED VET, and the plate must include a facsimile or emblem of the Purple Heart.
  • Persian Gulf War veteran: GULF WAR VET (defines Persian Gulf veteran as active duty after August 1, 1990 related to Desert Shield/Desert Storm or related combat zones as designated by a presidential order).
  • Laos War veteran: LAOS WAR VET.
  • Iraq War veteran: IRAQ WAR VET, with a facsimile of the Iraq War Medal below the plate number.
  • Afghanistan War veteran: AFGHAN WAR VET, with a facsimile of the Afghanistan Medal below the plate number.
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal recipient: GWOT VETERAN, with a facsimile of the medal below the plate number.
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal recipient (and certain National Guard/reserve members on federal active service): GWOT VETERAN below the plate number.
  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal recipient: plate bears an inscription that includes a facsimile of that medal.
  • Korean Defense Service Medal recipient: KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE, with a facsimile of the medal below the plate number.
  • Bronze Star Medal recipient: BRONZE STAR VET MERITORIOUS (and/or BRONZE STAR VALOR for V device), with a facsimile or emblem of the Bronze Star medal.
  • Silver Star Medal recipient: SILVER STAR VET HEROISM, with a facsimile or emblem of the Silver Star.
  • Woman veteran: WOMAN VETERAN, with a facsimile or emblem as designated by the commissioners.

• Eligibility and administration

  • A current member of the U.S. armed forces who is actively serving and is a Purple Heart recipient is eligible for the Purple Heart plate.
  • The Department of Public Safety must distribute information about the required proof of eligibility to public officials who administer this section, so they can verify eligibility for applicants who have not yet issued discharge papers.

• Special provisions and broader eligibility

  • Some veterans and National Guard or reserve members ordered to federal active service under Title 32 who have the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal are eligible for the described plate even if they do not meet other veteran criteria.

• Emblems and plate features

  • In addition to inscriptions, plates may include facsimiles of medals or official emblems where specified.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands and standardizes inscriptions on veteran plates to cover a wide range of wars, campaigns, and medals (e.g., Vietnam, Pearl Harbor, WWII, Korea, Persian Gulf, Laos, Iraq, Afghanistan, GWOT, KDSM, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and female veterans).
• Adds eligibility criteria for active-duty Purple Heart recipients and clarifies eligibility for National Guard/reserve members under certain conditions.
• Requires official medal facsimiles or emblems on plates and design oversight by the Commissioners of Veterans Affairs and Public Safety.

Administrative Impact

• Design and approval process for the plate emblem are centralized in the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
• Public safety officials must be informed about proofs of eligibility, improving verification for applicants.
• The bill creates a more uniform approach to recognizing veterans through plate inscriptions and emblems.

Potential Impacts

• Enhanced visibility and recognition for a broad range of veterans and medal recipients.
• Potentially increased demand for veteran plates due to more categories and engraved honors.
• Administrative workload for verifying eligibility and producing plate designs.

Relevant Terms - veteran special plates - inscription - emblem - facsimile - World War II veteran - Vietnam veteran - Pearl Harbor survivor - Korean War veteran - Combat wounded veteran - Purple Heart - Gulf War veteran - Persian Gulf War - Laos War veteran - Iraq War veteran - Afghanistan War veteran - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) - Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-SM) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Korean Defense Service Medal - Bronze Star Medal - Silver Star Medal - Woman veteran - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 168.123, subdivision 2 - Commissioner of Veterans Affairs - Department of Public Safety - Title 32 federal active duty - plate number (inscriptions placed below)