Veterans

This bill establishes a state grant program to help veterans service organizations hire staff who assist veterans with benefits claims. Organizations must provide matching funds equal to the grant amount to receive support. It allocates $250,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with unspent funds remaining available for future use. The Department of Veterans Affairs will administer the program and create application rules.

This bill expands Iowa's homestead tax credit for disabled veterans by creating phased-in eligibility based on service-connected disability ratings. It allows veterans (and eligible National Guard members) with disability ratings of 70%+ to claim a credit equal to their disability percentage (for 2026), 40%+ (for 2027), or 10%+ (for 2028 onward), whichever is greater than the standard homestead credit amount. The credit applies to property taxes due for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026, and retroactively covers claims filed since January 1, 2025. It specifically excludes veterans who already qualify under existing 100% disability criteria from claiming this expanded credit.