Veterans

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SF 617: A bill for an act relating to the veterans trust fund.

SF 617 adjusts Iowa's veterans trust fund funding rules. It sets a new $75 million threshold: if the fund balance is below this amount on July 1, interest earnings and the first $500,000 from lottery funds must be used for veterans' benefits. The bill removes previous rules that triggered funding when the balance was above $50 million. This change directly affects how veterans' benefits programs receive funding from the trust fund. The policy shift ensures more money flows to veterans' services when the fund is lower, while stopping lottery transfers once the fund reaches $75 million.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdjusts veterans trust fund rules to prioritize interest/lottery funds for benefits when balance < $75M, ensuring increased funding flow to veterans' services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SSB 1228: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility, health-related programs, reimbursement rates, family well-being and protection, state-operated specialty care, the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 1228 is an appropriations bill funding Iowa's health and human services programs for fiscal year 2025-2026. It allocates $1.38 million for veterans affairs administration, $8.23 million for Iowa Veterans Home operations, $19.2 million for aging and disability services (including elder abuse prevention and community support), $24.4 million for behavioral health services (covering substance use treatment and youth programs), and $22.4 million for public health initiatives like disease surveillance and health promotion. The bill directly affects veterans, elderly Iowans, individuals with disabilities, and those needing behavioral health support by providing state funding for existing services. It does not create new policies but authorizes specific funding levels for current programs under the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.38M+ to veterans, aging, behavioral health, and public health services, directly funding essential state programs under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $19.2M for aging/disability, $24.4M for behavioral health, $22.4M for public health - direct funding for healthcare programs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates $1.38M for veterans affairs and $8.23M for Iowa Veterans Home operations, directly funding veteran services and programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Public Health

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died · Iowa · House Apr 17, 2025

HF 909: A bill for an act providing for the establishment of a veterans service organization grant program, and making appropriations.

HF 909 establishes a Veterans Service Organization Grant Program under the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides matching funds to eligible veterans service organizations, as defined by federal regulations, to help them employ staff who assist veterans with claims. The bill creates a dedicated grant fund within the state treasury and appropriates $250,000 for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, for deposit into this fund. Organizations must demonstrate they will provide matching funds for each staff position to receive a grant.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250,000 for veterans service grants, directly funding a public program through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a grant program funding veterans service organizations to assist with claims, appropriating $250,000 for fiscal year 2025.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 151: A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle special registration plate decals created by a nonprofit veterans’ organization or associated with military service, and providing fees.

This bill updates Iowa law regarding special vehicle registration for military service awards and veterans' organizations. It shifts the recognition of military awards, such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, from dedicated special license plates to specialized decals that can be affixed to existing special plates, with a ten-dollar fee for a pair of decals. The legislation also expands the types of nonprofit veterans' organizations eligible to create and issue their own vehicle registration plate decals, specifically including those exempt under federal tax code 501(c)(19). The Department of Transportation will provide options for applicants who previously ordered the older special plates.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands eligibility for veterans' organizations to create license plate decals recognizing military service, enhancing recognition and participation opportunities for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1237: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 1237 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides funding for veteran services, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a home ownership assistance program, directly benefiting veterans and their families. The bill also supports aging and disability services, behavioral health programs for addiction prevention and treatment, and various public health initiatives, impacting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those seeking health services. Key provisions include funding for a maternal support program and a hospital directed payment program, with some moneys drawn from specific funds like the sports wagering receipts fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for FY2025-2026 to veterans, health, and disability services, directly increasing government spending on public programs through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for behavioral health, public health, aging/disability services, and medical assistance programs under HHS appropriations, directly advancing healthcare funding and access.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates state funds for Iowa Veterans Home and home ownership assistance program, directly benefiting veterans and families per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse Veteran Benefits

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died · Iowa · House May 12, 2025

HF 387: A bill for an act relating to fur harvesting privileges of disabled veterans.

House File 387 expands lifetime license privileges for Iowa residents who are disabled veterans or former prisoners of war. It allows these individuals, upon payment of a fee, to obtain a lifetime fur harvester license. This is in addition to the existing lifetime fishing or combined hunting and fishing licenses already available. The Department of Natural Resources would manage the application process, with the Department of Veterans Affairs assisting in verifying applicant eligibility.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands lifetime fur harvester license privileges for disabled veterans, adding a new benefit beyond existing licenses, directly advancing veteran privileges.95% confidence

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died · Iowa · Senate May 14, 2025

SF 649: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 649 is a legislative bill that appropriates state funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It allocates money to the Department of Veterans Affairs for administration, the Iowa Veterans Home, and a home ownership assistance program for eligible service members. The bill also provides funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for aging and disability services, including programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it appropriates funds for behavioral health initiatives, such as prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts for substance use and problem gambling, impacting individuals and families across the state. These appropriations support various public health programs and services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for veterans, health, and disability services, directly funding public programs under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to health services, behavioral health, medical assistance, and aging/disability programs under HHS appropriations.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates funds for VA administration, Iowa Veterans Home, and home ownership assistance program for veterans, directly advancing veteran services and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Hospitals Substance Abuse

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died · Iowa · House May 14, 2025

HF 21: A bill for an act relating to fishing privileges of disabled veterans, and making penalties applicable.

HF 21 grants fishing privileges to disabled veterans in Iowa. It allows any person, regardless of residency, who is a disabled veteran to fish without acquiring a fishing license. To qualify, the person must have served in the armed forces on federal active duty and been disabled during their military service. While fishing, these individuals must display proof of their veteran and disability status upon request by a peace officer. Failure to provide documentation is a simple misdemeanor, though conviction can be avoided by producing proof in court.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransGrants disabled veterans fishing license exemption, expanding recreational access as a service benefit recognizing military service.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 20, 2025

HF 518: A bill for an act establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans and making appropriations.

HF 518 establishes a pilot program in Iowa to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (specialized oxygen treatment) to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The bill creates a Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse treatment facilities for the costs of this therapy, as well as necessary travel and living expenses for veterans traveling to receive treatment. To qualify, treatment facilities must submit approved treatment plans to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, which reviews them based on available fund resources. The program operates until June 30, 2031, with annual reports required to evaluate its effectiveness. It directly affects Iowa veterans with PTSD or TBI who meet eligibility criteria under the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse hyperbaric oxygen therapy for PTSD/TBI, directly funding specialized healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Veterans Recovery Fund for PTSD/TBI hyperbaric oxygen therapy reimbursement, directly expanding healthcare access and funding for eligible veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Mental Health

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died · Iowa · House Mar 21, 2025

HF 292: A bill for an act relating to persons eligible for special registration plates with a veteran processed emblem.

HF 292 would expand eligibility for Iowa's "veteran" special vehicle registration plates to include any Iowan who served in the U.S. armed forces, reserve forces, or Iowa National Guard and was honorably discharged, regardless of service length. Currently, some reserve/National Guard members need 20+ years of service or specific activation periods to qualify. The bill modifies Iowa Code to remove these duration requirements while specifying that fees from these plates fund veterans' programs. The bill was withdrawn on March 21, 2025, and is no longer active.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veteran plate eligibility by removing service duration requirements and directs fees to fund veterans' programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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