Senator Andre Jacque’s bill aimed at honoring Vietnam-era Hmong and Laotian soldiers has taken the next step toward ratification.
The measure, officially known as Assembly Bill 27/Senate Bill 2, has passed an Assembly committee vote after passing in the Senate in May.
The measure aims to expand the state definition of “veteran” in Wisconsin statute to include individuals who honorably served in Special Guerilla Units operating in Laos from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975, under the exemptions enumerated in the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000.
That designation would qualify these veterans for certain state veterans’ benefits, following proper documentation and a thorough U.S. Department of Defense review.
Sen. Jacque said of the bill, “We have an opportunity to correct our statutes and ensure that their service to freedom and our country will not be forgotten.”
It will now go before the full Assembly, its final stop before Governor Tony Evers’ desk for final approval.
