Veterans

died · Iowa · House Apr 29, 2026

HF 2293: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses.

HF 2293 sets a $5 fee for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for residents who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were disabled during service (as defined by 38 U.S.C. ch. 11). The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue these licenses upon payment of the $5 fee plus any processing fee, and mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify applicants' military disability status. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking permanent hunting rights for fur harvesting. The change standardizes the fee, which was previously set by department rule, and streamlines the application process through VA verification.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides $5 lifetime hunting license fee for disabled veterans, directly advancing benefits for veterans with military service disability.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2026

HF 2478: A bill for an act relating to the staff sergeant William Nathaniel Howard highway, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2478 designates a 5-mile segment of U.S. Highway 30 within Marshalltown's corporate limits as the "Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard Highway" in honor of an Iowa Army National Guard veteran who died in Syria in 2025. The bill permanently applies this designation to that specific highway segment, regardless of future changes to the highway's federal designation. This is a naming resolution with no new funding or regulatory changes, solely recognizing the veteran through official highway signage.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates highway in honor of veteran, directly recognizing service per topic indicators without ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides $5 lifetime license fee for disabled veterans, reducing costs and granting permanent access to fur harvesting privileges per defined veteran status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $990k annually from state general fund + $300k lottery funds for veterans services, directly increasing state appropriations for a specific program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $990k state + $300k lottery funds annually for county veteran service offices, mandates electronic claim system, and requires staff certification to improve veteran benefit access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Iowa · House Mar 4, 2026

HF 2656: A bill for an act relating to the staff sergeant William Nathaniel Howard highway, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2656 designates a segment of U.S. Highway 30 within Marshalltown's city limits as the "Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard Highway" to honor Staff Sergeant William "Nate" Howard, who died in action in Palmyra, Syria, while serving in the Iowa Army National Guard. The bill applies permanently to this specific highway segment, regardless of any future changes to the highway's official designation by the U.S. government. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding impacts beyond standard signage costs paid from the primary road fund.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors fallen veteran through highway designation, directly recognizing service per support indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2480: A bill for an act providing for a veterans’ benefits and services poster for employers to display in the workplace.

HF 2480 requires Iowa employers with 50+ full-time employees to display a poster in the workplace providing veterans with key resources. The poster, created by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in coordination with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, must include information on mental health services, education/training programs, tax benefits, vehicle registration, unemployment insurance, and legal services. Employers must display the poster in an easy-to-see location accessible to all employees. This bill directly affects covered employers and ensures veterans have clear access to available benefits and services.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to display unemployment insurance info, aiding worker access to existing benefits under labor & employment standards.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employer display of veterans' resource poster including mental health, education, tax benefits, and legal services, improving access to existing support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Employment

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2481: 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.

This bill establishes Iowa's Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Program, creating a state fund to reimburse veterans for specialized oxygen therapy (hyperbaric oxygen treatment) used to treat diagnosed traumatic brain injury or PTSD. It directly affects Iowa veterans with these conditions who receive treatment at approved facilities, ensuring they pay no costs for the therapy. The program requires veterans' service organizations to submit approved treatment plans detailing medical necessity and costs, with reimbursement coming from the new fund - financed through state appropriations and other designated sources - after health improvements are verified. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program, tracks participation, and reports annually on its effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds reimbursement for veterans' TBI/PTSD hyperbaric oxygen therapy, removing cost barriers and expanding access to specialized medical care.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes state fund to reimburse veterans for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI/PTSD, eliminating out-of-pocket costs. Directly funds veteran healthcare benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Mental Health

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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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHR 105 urges Congress to support legislation restoring full retirement pay/benefits for medically retired veterans (50k+), removing the $1-for-$1 pay reduction rule. Directly advances veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2180: A bill for an act establishing a service animal training grant program for veterans, providing fees, and making appropriations.

HF 2180 establishes a state-funded grant program to help Iowa veterans obtain service animal training. It appropriates $100,000 annually starting in 2026 to provide eligible veterans with grants of up to $5,000 per lifetime, paid directly to accredited Iowa-based training organizations. To qualify, veterans must be state residents meeting department-defined criteria, and organizations must maintain a physical Iowa location and meet accreditation standards. The program requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set rules for accreditation, application processes, and fund oversight, while coordinating outreach with local veteran service offices.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes state-funded grants ($100k/year) for veterans' service animal training, directly funding a benefit under veterans affairs with clear intent to advance services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 103: A resolution calling upon the United States Congress to support efforts to recognize all United States troops who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992.

This resolution (HR 103) asks Congress to support granting an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or similar recognition to U.S. troops who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It specifically cites their presence as a deterrent to regional aggression, their exposure to hostile fire (including one Purple Heart recipient), and their role in military training and civil support. The resolution does not create new benefits but urges Congress to endorse efforts to formally recognize these veterans. It directly affects veterans of that specific Honduras deployment period.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly urges formal recognition of veterans' service in Honduras (1981-1992), aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' support indicator.95% confidence

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

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