Veterans

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

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

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 2471: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides fee waiver and special lifetime fur harvester licenses specifically for disabled veterans, recognizing their service and providing them with benefits.95% confidence

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2735: A bill for an act relating to programs administered by the Iowa finance authority including the firsthome program and home ownership assistance program for military members, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes and funds the Firsthome program and the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority. The Firsthome program provides grants up to $10,000 for down payments and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers who meet income, credit score, and debt-to-income requirements while completing homebuyer education. The Military Home Ownership Assistance Program receives a $2.2 million state appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to continue offering financial assistance to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces purchasing homes. The bill also defines eligibility criteria, including specific service history requirements for military personnel and their surviving spouses, and requires the Finance Authority to adopt rules to implement the programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $2.2M to fund home ownership programs for military members and first-time buyers, strengthening community development and financial assistance.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes and funds Firsthome program providing grants for down payments and closing costs to first-time homebuyers, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly funds and establishes the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program with $2.2M appropriation, directly advancing veteran benefits and home ownership support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership

Track

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 ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes statewide electronic system for veterans claims and requires staff certifications/security clearances, advancing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity standards.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes electronic system for veteran benefit claims, creates funding fund for veteran services, and mandates staff certifications to improve veteran outreach and application efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

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 & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to display veterans' benefits poster including unemployment insurance eligibility, a labor and employment resource explicitly listed in bill subjects.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employers to display veterans' benefits resources, improving access to healthcare, education, and legal services through workplace visibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SF 2234: A bill for an act relating to U.S.S. Iowa

This bill creates special license plates for Iowa vehicles displaying the U.S.S. Iowa (SSN-797) emblem. Owners pay a one-time $35 fee for standard plates or $60 total ($35 base + $25 for personalization) for personalized plates (max 5 characters), plus annual fees of $10 (standard) or $5 (personalized). All fees collected are deposited into the road use tax fund and then transferred monthly to the state general fund to support veterans' suicide prevention grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill prohibits the state from restricting plate issuance based on order volume.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new fees ($35-$60) deposited into state general fund for veterans' suicide prevention grants, directly funding a public program through dedicated revenue.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs license plate fees to veterans' suicide prevention grants via Department of Veterans Affairs, explicitly funding veteran services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 2662: A bill for an act establishing a veterans recovery program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans, and making appropriations.

HF 2662 establishes Iowa's Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Program and fund to reimburse treatment costs for eligible veterans. The bill creates a state fund to cover expenses for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (specialized oxygen treatment) for Iowa veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or PTSD, as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Veterans service organizations must submit approved treatment plans to the Department of Veterans Affairs before treatment begins, and facilities providing this therapy must offer it at no cost to veterans. Reimbursement occurs after treatment plan approval and verification of health improvements, with annual reports required on program effectiveness. This directly affects Iowa veterans with qualifying conditions, treatment facilities, and veterans service organizations coordinating care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state fund to reimburse hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with TBI/PTSD, expanding access to specialized medical care and funding treatment expenses.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes state fund to reimburse hyperbaric oxygen therapy costs for veterans with TBI/PTSD, directly expanding healthcare benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Mental Health

Track

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 ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill waives tuition/fees for veterans with disabilities at regents universities, expanding higher education access and providing direct financial support through a targeted funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives tuition/fees for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, expanding educational benefits after exhausting other aid options.95% confidence

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