SF 365 is a procedural bill that directs the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to authorize a monument honoring Martin Treptow on the state capitol complex grounds. It requires the department to solicit and approve a monument application, which must include the poem "My Pledge" by Treptow in the design, along with cost, funding, and timeline details. If multiple applications are submitted, the department and Capitol Planning Commission will select the one best meeting construction and maintenance requirements. The bill does not change laws or affect citizens but formalizes the process for placing this commemorative monument.
HF 619 allows Iowans who received an Air Medal (awarded by the U.S. government for aerial heroism or meritorious flight since 1942) to obtain special license plates featuring an air medal emblem at no cost. The bill requires applicants to submit proof of their award to the Department of Transportation, which will design the emblem with the adjutant general's input. Fees collected from other special plates (not Air Medal plates) are deposited into the road use tax fund, but the bill mandates transferring the special plate fees for Air Medal plates monthly to a veterans license fee fund. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may continue using the plates by paying a $5 annual fee, but must return them if they remarry.
This bill requires all state-owned buildings in Iowa to display the National League of Families POW/MIA flag on secular days when weather permits, positioned second in precedence directly below or adjacent to the U.S. flag. It mandates that custodians of public buildings raise this flag in accordance with federal rules to honor Iowa veterans who are missing in action or prisoners of war. The law modifies existing flag-display requirements to specifically include this flag alongside the U.S. and Iowa state flags. It applies directly to state building custodians and does not alter other flag-display practices.
HF 931 removes specific restrictions on card game tournaments run by qualified veterans' organizations in Iowa. It eliminates requirements that every participant must have an equal chance of winning, that no second chances or multiple entries be allowed, and that tournaments must follow strict entry rules. This change directly affects Iowa veterans' groups that are federally chartered, dedicate tournament net proceeds to veterans' causes, and are tax-exempt under federal law. The bill amends Iowa Code section 99B.27 to simplify tournament rules for these designated organizations. The change allows such groups more flexibility in organizing their events without altering their existing financial or tax status.
HF 779 expands eligibility for special Iowa license plates featuring a "veteran" emblem to include anyone who served in the U.S. reserve forces or Iowa National Guard and was discharged honorably, regardless of their total service duration. Currently, such plates were only available to reserve members meeting specific service thresholds (e.g., 20+ years or 90+ days of active duty). The bill allows these individuals to apply directly through the Department of Transportation with proof of service, removing prior service-time requirements. This change applies specifically to Iowa residents qualifying under these revised criteria for the veteran emblem plates.
HF 902 requires all state-owned buildings in Iowa to display the National League of Families POW/MIA flag on secular days when weather permits. The custodian of each building must fly this flag second in precedence, directly below or adjacent to the U.S. flag, following federal guidelines. This bill directly affects state building custodians and honors Iowa veterans who are missing in action or prisoners of war. The requirement applies to all state-owned facilities, not just those with military connections.
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.
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.
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.
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.
