Honor guards given equal priority

Honor guards are paid up to $50 each time they provide services, such as playing “Taps,” at the funeral of a military veteran.

Effective July 1, 2012, the veterans affairs commissioner cannot prioritize these payments based on whether the honor guard units are sponsored by organizations that have charitable gambling operations. Previously, when funding ran low, honor guards that were sponsored by charitable gambling organizations could see their payments delayed until the end of the year due to permissible language.

The new law, sponsored by Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) and Sen. Mike Parry (R-Waseca), was signed by Gov. Mark Dayton April 2.

HF1903*/ SF1814/CH149