Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 21, 2026

HF 2147: 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.

HF 2147 creates special vehicle registration decals for Iowans who earned specific U.S. military combat awards, including combat infantryman, combat action, and combat medical badges. It authorizes nonprofit veterans organizations (501(c)(19) status) to design and administer these decals, requiring the state to produce them after 250 orders for each design. Veterans with qualifying awards can apply for free special plates with these decals, paying only a $10 annual fee per pair of decals, with all fees directed to Iowa's veterans license fee fund. The bill directly affects eligible veterans, qualifying veterans nonprofits, and the Iowa Department of Transportation, which will manage the program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free special license plates with minimal $10 annual fee for veterans with combat awards, recognizing military service through visible public acknowledgment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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died · Iowa · House Apr 29, 2026

HF 2064: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2064 sets a $5 fee (plus processing fees) 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. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to verify applicants' veteran disability status with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also mandates refunds for existing license holders who paid more than $7 total, returning the excess amount within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This affects disabled veteran residents seeking lifetime fur harvesting privileges, adjusting both new fees and correcting past overpayments.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill reduces license fees to $5 for disabled veterans with VA verification, mandates refunds for overpayments - directly advancing veteran benefits through targeted fee relief.95% confidence

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2199: A bill for an act relating to level II law enforcement academy training programs.

HF 2199 sets new requirements for Iowa's Level II law enforcement academy training programs. Applicants must provide proof of a two- or four-year police science or criminal justice degree from an accredited school approved by the academy, or qualify under exemptions for military veterans or federal officers. The bill also requires individuals who complete the training to secure employment with a law enforcement agency within 18 months to receive certification. It specifically applies to those seeking certification through a short course of study program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts military veterans from degree requirement for law enforcement academy, supporting veteran employment pathways90% confidence

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 2214: A bill for an act relating to fees applicable to veterans for camping or the use of rental facilities at state parks or recreation areas.

This bill (HF 2214) waives all fees for veterans of the U.S. armed forces when camping or using rental facilities at Iowa state parks and recreation areas managed by the Department of Natural Resources. It directly affects veterans who use these state park facilities, eliminating their cost for camping or rentals. The key provision requires the department to not charge veterans fees but allows them to request documentation verifying veteran status to apply the waiver. The bill does not alter fees for non-veterans or create new fees for anyone.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives state park fees for veterans, eliminating costs for camping/recreation access - direct benefit expansion per bill's explicit fee waiver provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Iowa · House May 12, 2025

HSB 342: 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; reimbursement rates; 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; autism spectrum disorder; involuntary commitment hearing testimony; discharge of involuntarily committed persons; medical residency and fellowships; maintenance and costs of juvenile homes; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HSB 342 is a legislative bill that makes appropriations for the fiscal years 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It allocates funds to support veterans' programs, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a new grant program for veterans service organizations to assist with claims. The bill also provides funding for a wide range of health and human services, such as aging and disability services, behavioral health programs, and the medical assistance program, affecting citizens across the state. Key provisions include establishing a dementia services coordinator position and a hospital directed payment program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates fiscal year 2025-2026 appropriations for veterans' programs, health services, and human services through direct funding, advancing public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates appropriations for veterans' programs, behavioral health, medical assistance, and aging services under HHS, directly advancing healthcare funding and access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates funds for Iowa Veterans Home and new grants for veterans service organizations to assist with claims, directly funding veterans' programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 70: A bill for an act relating to Medicare supplement policies and an annual open enrollment period.

HF 70 creates an annual 31-day open enrollment period for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) starting March 1 each year, beginning January 1, 2025. It directly affects individuals seeking Medicare supplement policies, including those under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or environmental hazard exposure. During this period, insurers are prohibited from denying coverage, charging higher premiums based on health status, or excluding preexisting conditions for at least one policy they offer. Insurers must also provide clear notice of the enrollment period to applicants. The bill aims to simplify access to Medigap plans while protecting consumers from health-based discrimination.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates annual Medigap enrollment period, prohibits denial/price hikes based on health status, expanding access and protecting patient rights in Medicare coverage.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill ensures Medicare supplement access for disability-qualifying individuals, including veterans with service-connected conditions, preventing denial based on health status.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SSB 1110: A bill for an act relating to disqualification for unemployment benefits for other compensation received and including applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill expands unemployment benefit disqualification to include any "remuneration in connection with separation from employment" (like severance pay or separation allowances), beyond current law. If a worker receives such a payment exceeding their weekly benefit amount, future benefits are reduced until the total payment amount is covered. Exceptions apply: military disability compensation and Social Security pensions do not affect eligibility or reduce benefits. The change applies to separation payments received on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts unemployment benefits by reducing payments when severance pay exceeds weekly amount, limiting total worker compensation under unemployment rules.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes military disability compensation from unemployment disqualification, protecting veterans' benefits without reducing their unemployment payments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Benefits

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died · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2025

HF 112: A bill for an act relating to the maximum annual gross income for an enterprise to qualify as a targeted small business.

This bill raises the annual gross income limit for businesses to qualify as "targeted small businesses" in Iowa from $4 million to $200 million. It directly affects Iowa businesses that are 51% owned and operated by women, minorities, service-disabled veterans, or people with disabilities. Under the change, qualifying businesses must now have less than $200 million in average annual gross income (over three years) instead of the current $4 million cap. This adjustment would allow larger businesses to access programs supporting these ownership groups.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes service-disabled veterans as qualifying owners for targeted small business benefits, advancing veteran business opportunities.85% confidence

Tags Small Business

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died · Iowa · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SF 312: A bill for an act enacting the physician assistant licensure compact.

SF 312 would create a physician assistant licensure compact, allowing licensed physician assistants from participating states to practice in Iowa without obtaining a separate license. It requires physician assistants to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during care, not where they are licensed. The compact also enables military personnel and their spouses to use an existing license from another participating state to practice in Iowa. This bill was introduced in Iowa but was withdrawn on March 26, 2025, after being attached to another bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for physician assistants, enabling cross-state practice and improving healthcare access in Iowa per bill's compact provisions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allows military personnel and spouses to practice without separate licensure, facilitating healthcare access for veterans through military-connected providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1443XD: Iowa Veterans Trust Fund (1443XD) - Veterans Affairs, Department of

This bill (1443XD) amends Iowa's Veterans Trust Fund rules by raising the threshold for distributing lottery funds from $50 million to $75 million. When the fund balance is below $75 million, interest and the first $500,000 from lottery revenues are allocated to veterans services programs. It eliminates previous distribution requirements for fund balances between $50 million and $75 million and stops all lottery fund transfers when the trust fund reaches $75 million or more, redirecting those funds to county veteran affairs programs instead. The changes directly affect the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and local county veteran services programs.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransEliminates required funding for veterans services between $50M-$75M fund balance, reducing allocations to veterans programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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