Committee advances bill recognizing veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos

Lawmakers and veterans gave emotional testimony in support of Senate File 40‑75, a bill intended to recognize and provide limited benefits for veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in the covert conflict in Laos.

“Please vote yes,” one veteran testified, recounting service alongside U.S. forces and urging lawmakers to honor contributions that have gone unrecognized for decades. Sponsor testimony said the legislation reflects the task‑force recommendations and has broad bipartisan support.

Committee staff reviewed a fiscal note for a Department of Public Safety section of the bill: a one‑time cost of about $141,000 from the Driver and Vehicle Services operating account to contract with a vendor to add a veterans designation to driver records and to update forms and programming. Senators thanked veterans for testifying and recommended the bill, as amended, be referred to the Finance Committee for the appropriation elements.