Veterans (Veteran Benefits) in Iowa

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 ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SF 2466: A bill for an act relating to veterans services and making appropriations.

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.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2272: A bill for an act providing for a veterans’ benefits and services poster for employers to display in the workplace.

SF 2272 requires Iowa employers with 50+ full-time employees to display a veterans' benefits poster in the workplace. The poster, created by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, must include key resources like mental health services, education/training programs, tax benefits, driver’s license assistance, unemployment insurance eligibility, and legal services. Employers must display the poster prominently where employees can easily see it. This bill directly affects businesses meeting the 50-employee threshold and aims to make veterans' support resources more accessible.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

signed · Iowa · House Apr 30, 2026

HF 2491: A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2479: A bill for an act relating to driver’s licenses marked to reflect veteran status.

HF 2479 allows Iowa drivers who are honorably discharged veterans to request that their driver's license include the word "VETERAN" prominently displayed. It directly affects veterans, including National Guard members regardless of their active duty service days (removing a current requirement of at least 90 days). To qualify, applicants must provide proof of service, such as a DD-214 form showing honorable discharge, and the Department of Transportation will notify local veteran affairs commissions. The bill clarifies the definition of "veteran" for license marking purposes, aligning with broader state veteran status definitions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Tags Licensing

passed · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HR 106: A resolution urging the members of Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act to allow medically retired service members to receive full access to their much-deserved retirement pay and benefits.

This resolution (HR 106) urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would change current rules affecting medically retired veterans. It directly impacts approximately 50,000 service members who retired before completing 20 years of service due to medical conditions and have a disability rating below 50% - they currently lose $1 of retirement pay for every $1 of disability pay received. The resolution does not change the law itself but calls for Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would eliminate this offset and allow these veterans to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits. It is a symbolic action, not a policy change, referencing the case of Major Richard Star, an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran who died of burn pit-related lung cancer.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2433: A bill for an act relating to veterans’ benefits claims, and providing penalties.

HF 2433, the "Iowa Veterans’ Claims Protection Act," prohibits non-accredited individuals from charging fees to assist veterans, service members, or their dependents with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits claims. It bans misrepresenting VA accreditation, using personal information for unauthorized claims, or making false promises about claim outcomes. Violations carry $10,000 civil penalties per offense, collected into a veterans trust fund, and allow affected individuals to sue for damages. The bill also requires the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain a public list of accredited representatives and educate veterans about predatory practices.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SF 2317: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses.

This bill sets a $5 base fee (plus any processing fee) for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for disabled veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. military. It directly affects Iowa residents who are disabled veterans, as defined by 38 U.S.C. ch. 11, allowing them to obtain these licenses without annual renewal. The license is issued by the Department of Natural Resources upon payment of the $5 fee, with the Department of Veterans Affairs assisting in verifying applicants' military service and disability status. The bill amends existing law to establish this fixed fee instead of allowing the department to set it via rule.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SF 2282: A bill for an act relating to veterans services and making appropriations.

This Iowa bill (SF 2282) creates a new state fund to support county veteran service offices, directly affecting county commissions that assist veterans with federal benefit claims. Key provisions include requiring county office staff to obtain federal certifications and access credentials within 12 months of hire, establishing a statewide electronic claim system for submitting VA claims, and allocating $990,000 annually from the state general fund (plus $300,000 from lottery funds) to incentivize efficient veteran service. The bill mandates that funds must supplement - not replace - existing county funding and requires annual reporting on how allocated money is used. It aims to standardize and improve how counties process veterans' claims through better staff training, technology, and accountability measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics State Budget Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 105: A resolution urging the members of Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act to allow medically retired service members to receive full access to their much-deserved retirement pay and benefits.

This resolution (HR 105) urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would remove a rule affecting medically retired veterans. Specifically, it targets veterans with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating under 50%, who currently lose $1 in retirement pay for every $1 in disability benefits they receive. The resolution does not change law itself but calls for Congress to back legislation that would allow these veterans - estimated at 50,000 - to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits simultaneously. The bill text notes this rule costs veterans an average of $1,900 monthly in reduced benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills