HF 2782 is a budget bill that allocates state funds to the departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation provides specific funding for veterans' services, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a home ownership assistance program for military members. It also directs money toward aging and disability support, behavioral health treatment, and maternal care initiatives, while establishing reporting requirements for financial expenditures. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for graduate medical education and updates to various health-related programs.
This bill establishes a $5 fee plus processing charges for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa. It specifically targets Iowa residents who served in the U.S. armed forces on federal active duty and were disabled during their military service. The Department of Natural Resources will issue these licenses, with the Department of Veterans Affairs assisting in verifying applicants' service and disability status. The legislation defines "disabled" as being entitled to a service-connected rating under federal law.
HF 2199 sets new requirements for Iowa's Level II law enforcement academy training programs. Applicants must provide proof of a two- or four-year police science or criminal justice degree from an accredited school approved by the academy, or qualify under exemptions for military veterans or federal officers. The bill also requires individuals who complete the training to secure employment with a law enforcement agency within 18 months to receive certification. It specifically applies to those seeking certification through a short course of study program.
This bill (SF 93) sets specific qualifications for members of Iowa county veteran affairs commissions and their executive directors. It requires all commission members to be veterans meeting one of three criteria: (1) a veteran as defined in Iowa law, (2) an active Iowa National Guard/reserve member with a unit recommendation, or (3) a former Guard/reserve member with an honorable discharge (DD214 or letter). The executive director must also meet these same veteran qualifications, except for those hired before July 1, 1989. The bill directly affects county-level veteran affairs leadership positions across Iowa.
HF 2491 waives all tuition and mandatory fees at Iowa's regents universities for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify, veterans must apply for admission and have exhausted all other federal or state financial aid options, such as Pell Grants or VA education benefits. The waiver is prorated each semester to cover only the difference between other aid received and the actual tuition and fees charged. This policy directly affects eligible veterans seeking higher education at Iowa's public universities, ensuring they face no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees after other aid is applied.
This bill establishes a statewide electronic system for county veterans service offices to submit federal benefit claims and requires staff in these offices to obtain specific federal certifications and security clearances within twelve months of employment. It creates a new veterans services excellence fund funded by lottery proceeds and state appropriations to incentivize counties to improve veteran outreach and application efficiency, with annual allocations based on performance metrics starting in 2027. The legislation also clarifies that recognized veterans' service organizations can represent veterans in federal benefit claims and grants them power of attorney for this purpose. Additionally, it sets up quarterly reporting requirements to share performance data with county commissions and boards of supervisors.
SF 152 allows the Department of Transportation (DOT) to waive the driving skills test and certain physical exams for eligible military personnel applying for a state driver's license. This applies to individuals currently on active duty or those separated from service within the past year. To qualify for the waiver, applicants must certify they've held only a military license for two years, maintained a clear driving record, and have recent military experience operating motor vehicles. They would still need to pass an eyesight screening, a highway sign recognition test, and a written test on state traffic laws, and would be exempt from driver education requirements.
HF 1049 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects programs including aging and disability services, behavioral health initiatives, the medical assistance program, and state-operated specialty care. The bill specifically includes funding for sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures within health-related programs. Signed into law on June 11, 2025, it provides financial support for these services and includes reporting requirements for unspent funds.
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.
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.
