HF4615

Purpose

• This bill changes how Minnesota pays state active service members (both officers and enlisted) by aligning pay with the federal pay system and setting a minimum daily pay.

Key provisions

• Pay parity with federal rates: While a service member is engaged in state active service, the state must pay pay and allowances at the rate that would be paid or allowed by federal law for someone of the same grade and the same length of service in the U.S. armed forces.
• Minimum daily pay: The basic pay must not be less than $130 per day for the basic pay of an E5 (a mid-level noncommissioned officer) according to the federal military pay tables kept by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
• Reference to state active service: The term “state active service” is defined in state law (section 190.05, subdivision 5a) and triggers these pay requirements.
• Repeal of a prior provision: The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 192.49, subdivision 2, which previously described an enlisted pay rule that paid a rate (including travel time) when called into state active service by the governor for purposes other than encampment or maneuvers, “whichever is more.” The new approach removes that provision and replaces it with the federal-parity framework.

Significance and changes to existing law

• Aligns Minnesota state active service pay with federal pay scales for the same rank and length of service, ensuring a floor of $130 per day and using the DFAS pay tables.
• Removes the previous independent/state-specific formula for enlisted pay that could depend on factors like travel time and a separate “whichever is more” rule, creating a unified, market-rate approach tied to federal levels.

Relevant terms - state active service - pay and allowances - basic pay - $130 per day - E5 pay grade - Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - same grade and length of service - United States armed forces - Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 192.49 subdivision 1 - Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 192.49 subdivision 2 - repeal - governor - 190.05 subdivision 5a