Veterans

passed · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2761: A bill for an act relating to driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards marked to reflect gold star status.

This bill allows surviving spouses, parents, children, or siblings of U.S. military members who died while on active duty during a conflict or from service-related causes to request a special mark on their driver's license or identification card. If the request is approved with proof of eligibility, the state will prominently display the phrase "GOLD STAR FAMILY" on the front of the license or card. The legislation does not change any other information on the documents and does not affect individuals who do not meet these specific eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill recognizes and honors families of fallen service members by adding 'GOLD STAR FAMILY' to identification cards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 175: A bill for an act relating to in-state residency for purposes of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for certain military personnel and family members.

HF 175 changes Iowa's tuition rules to allow certain military families to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. It directly affects active-duty military members stationed in Iowa, their spouses and children, veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and survivors of deceased veterans. The bill creates new definitions that let these groups be classified as Iowa residents for tuition purposes if they meet specific criteria, such as having the military member stationed in Iowa, filing Iowa taxes, or claiming dependents on tax returns. Spouses and children can maintain in-state status even if the military member is transferred, as long as they stay enrolled continuously. This policy change aims to reduce tuition costs for military-connected students without altering residency requirements for other students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for military families by enabling in-state tuition rates at public colleges, directly increasing affordability and access to postsecondary education.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill grants in-state tuition benefits to veterans eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill, directly expanding educational benefits for veterans as part of its core provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SF 253: A bill for an act creating a lifetime fur harvester license for disabled veterans.

SF 253 creates a lifetime license for disabled veterans to harvest fur, eliminating the need for annual renewals. This directly affects veterans with service-connected disabilities who engage in fur harvesting activities. The key provision replaces standard annual licensing requirements with a permanent license valid for the veteran's lifetime, removing recurring fees and paperwork. The bill became law after Governor's signature on June 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates lifetime license eliminating annual fees/paperwork for disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities, directly advancing their benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Iowa · House May 27, 2025

HF 901: A bill for an act relating to the law enforcement academy, including military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers.

HF 901 modifies law enforcement academy requirements to allow military veterans with active duty military police experience and former federal law enforcement officers to count their prior experience toward academy completion. This directly affects eligible veterans and former federal officers seeking to become state law enforcement officers. The bill's key provision replaces standard academy training hours with credit for qualifying military or federal law enforcement service. It became law after the Governor signed it on May 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allows military veterans with police experience to count it toward law enforcement academy requirements, directly supporting veteran employment in state law enforcement by recognizing prior service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Iowa · House May 6, 2025

HF 885: A bill for an act relating to deer and wild turkey hunting licenses for disabled veterans.

This bill creates a new provision allowing resident disabled veterans to use their deer hunting license and tag during any established deer hunting season. The only requirement is that the hunting method for the chosen season (e.g., bow, firearm) must align with the method authorized by their license. This expands hunting season flexibility for veterans who have a service-connected disability, as verified by the department of veterans affairs. Such hunters must be able to display proof of their resident and disability status if requested by a peace officer, with penalties for non-compliance mirroring existing wildlife laws.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands hunting license flexibility for disabled veterans, strengthening their benefits and recognizing their service.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Iowa · House May 2, 2025

HF 118: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program.

This bill modifies the Iowa National Guard service scholarship program, which helps eligible Iowa National Guard members pay for college tuition. It establishes that scholarship awards cannot exceed the difference between a student's tuition and any financial aid they receive under specific federal military programs (10 U.S.C. §2007). Additionally, the bill removes a provision that previously prohibited scholarship eligibility or award determinations from being based on a National Guard member's unit, drill location, or whether they are in the Army or Air National Guard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to higher education scholarships for National Guard members, removing restrictions and clarifying funding rules to support educational attainment.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill modifies scholarship program to help National Guard members pay for college tuition, expanding educational benefits for veterans.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

signed · Iowa · House May 2, 2025

HF 117: A bill for an act establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program.

House File 117 establishes the National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program, directly affecting members of the Iowa National Guard. This program provides scholarships to eligible Guard members pursuing specific educational programs at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private institutions. The scholarships are for programs leading to a "credential," such as a postsecondary certificate or competency-based qualification, but do not cover associate or higher degrees. The Adjutant General approves eligible educational programs and determines individual eligibility, with the College Student Aid Commission administering the scholarship payments, which cannot exceed the total program cost.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes scholarship program for National Guard members pursuing postsecondary education, directly expanding educational access and funding for eligible students.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes scholarship program for National Guard members, directly funding education benefits for veterans and active service members.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

passed · Iowa · House Apr 24, 2025

HF 1000: A bill for an act providing for the establishment of a veterans service organization grant program, and making appropriations.

HF 1000 establishes a veterans service organization grant program and fund under the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides matching funds to eligible veterans service organizations to help them employ staff. These staff members are specifically tasked with assisting veterans in filing claims. To receive a grant, organizations must demonstrate they have budgeted their own funds, and the bill initially appropriates $250,000 to the fund for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 for veterans service grants, directly funding a state program under budgetary authority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAssists veterans in filing healthcare claims, improving access to VA benefits and support services.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes grant program funding veterans service orgs to assist with claim filings, directly advancing veteran benefits access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 872: A bill for an act relating to the maximum annual gross income for an enterprise to qualify as a targeted small business.

HF 872 proposes to amend the criteria for an enterprise to qualify as a "targeted small business" in Iowa. The bill directly affects small businesses that are majority-owned and operated by women, minority persons, service-disabled veterans, or persons with a disability. It increases the maximum annual gross income threshold for these businesses to qualify, raising it from less than $4 million to less than $10 million, averaged over the three preceding fiscal years. This change would allow more businesses to be recognized under the "targeted small business" designation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases income threshold for targeted small business tax benefits, expanding eligibility for tax relief to more qualifying businesses.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes service-disabled veterans in targeted small business criteria, raising income thresholds to support their business eligibility and access to benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans

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signed · Iowa · House Mar 28, 2025

HF 250: A bill for an act relating to county commissions of veteran affairs.

This bill updates requirements for county commissions of veteran affairs and their executive directors or administrators in Iowa. It mandates that these directors or administrators obtain specific training and certification directed by the commandant of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs within one year of employment, or face removal from office. They must also acquire a personal identification verification card to access veteran benefits systems and complete continuing education only from state-approved entities. Additionally, the bill changes the reporting period for veteran service hours from a calendar year to a fiscal year and removes a previous requirement for training from a national association.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill strengthens county veteran affairs by mandating training and certification for administrators, improving service delivery and system access for veterans.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Veterans