Veterans (Veteran Healthcare) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2021: A bill for an act relating to ginseng harvesting privileges for disabled veterans.

This bill creates a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit for Iowa disabled veterans. It allows eligible veterans - defined as honorably discharged veterans with any service-connected disability rating (0% or higher) - to pay a one-time $7 fee for a permit valid for life, replacing annual permits. The permit authorizes ginseng harvesting under existing season, quantity, and reporting rules set by the Department of Natural Resources. All fees collected will fund the state fish and game protection program.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2132: 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 2132 would require Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) to waive all tuition and mandatory fees 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, have exhausted all other federal or state financial aid (like Pell Grants or VA education benefits), and not receive other assistance covering their tuition costs. The bill mandates that institutions prorate the waiver to cover only the gap between other aid received and the full tuition/fees amount. This policy directly affects eligible veterans seeking higher education at Iowa's public universities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SF 7: A bill for an act relating to fishing privileges of disabled veterans, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 7) allows any disabled veteran - regardless of Iowa residency - to fish without purchasing a license if they can prove their military service and disability status. Veterans must show proof to law enforcement upon request, similar to standard license requirements. Failure to provide this proof results in a $35 misdemeanor fine, though they can avoid conviction by submitting documentation in court. The bill also updates nonresident paddlefish fishing license rules to align with these changes.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SSB 1079: A bill for an act creating a lifetime fur harvester license for disabled veterans.

This bill creates a lifetime fur harvester license for Iowa residents who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were disabled during service, as defined by 38 U.S.C. § 11 (service-connected disability rating). It requires the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a fee for the license and create an application, while the Department of Veterans Affairs verifies applicants' military service and disability status. The license eliminates the need for annual renewals for eligible disabled veterans. The bill directly affects disabled veterans who are Iowa residents and wish to harvest fur commercially or recreationally.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 291: A bill for an act reducing annual motor vehicle registration fees and annual registration plate fees for disabled veterans.

HF 291 reduces Iowa's annual motor vehicle registration fees and special plate fees for disabled veterans. It lowers these fees by the same percentage as the veteran's service-related disability rating (determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for one vehicle they own. The bill applies this reduction to both the standard registration fee under Iowa Code 321.109 and any special plate fee under section 321.34. This directly affects disabled veterans with a VA disability rating who do not qualify for other exemptions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 326: A bill for an act establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans and making appropriations.

HF 326 establishes a pilot program in Iowa to provide hyperbaric oxygen treatment (for diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD) to eligible veterans through a dedicated reimbursement fund. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with PTSD or traumatic brain injury who require this treatment, as well as authorized treatment facilities. The bill creates a Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse facilities for treatment costs and related travel/living expenses after a treatment plan is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Facilities must submit proposed treatment plans for approval before providing care, and veterans cannot be charged for services under the program. The program requires biennial reports to the legislature evaluating participation and effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 309: A bill for an act establishing the dependent of a disabled veteran tuition grant program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.

SF 309 creates a tuition grant program for dependents of Iowa veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. It provides up to $10,000 annually for full-time students (max 8 semesters) or proportionally less for part-time students (max 12 semesters) to cover tuition and mandatory fees at eligible Iowa colleges. To qualify, students must be Iowa residents under 27, claimed as dependents on the veteran’s prior tax return, and enrolled full- or part-time at a state-regulated institution. The program requires annual reapplication, pays grants directly to institutions, and is funded by a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2025-26.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SF 79: A bill for an act creating a lifetime trapping license for disabled veterans.

SF 79 creates a lifetime trapping license for Iowa residents who are disabled veterans. It applies to those who served on federal active duty and were disabled during service (as defined by a service-connected rating under federal law). The Iowa Department of Natural Resources would establish a fee and application process, while the Department of Veterans Affairs would verify applicants' military service and disability status. This policy change provides a permanent hunting/fishing license exemption for eligible veterans without requiring annual renewal.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 10, 2025

HF 910: A bill for an act relating to state services and benefits provided to disabled veterans, making penalties applicable, and making appropriations.

HF 910 provides Iowa disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with two key benefits: (1) exemption from vehicle title fees and annual registration fees for up to three vehicles, including free standard license plates; and (2) a property tax credit equal to the full property tax owed on their primary residence. The bill also allows the state to waive administrative vehicle fees for qualifying veterans and creates a confidential tax credit program requiring county auditors to certify claims annually. Funds for the tax credit are allocated from the state general fund and distributed to taxing districts based on their share of property taxes. These provisions directly affect eligible Iowa veterans, aiming to reduce their costs for vehicle ownership and housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 11, 2025

HF 912: A bill for an act relating to state services and benefits provided to veterans, including state grants, public assistance programs, business fee waivers, substance use disorder programs, mental health and disability services, undergraduate tuition and fees, disabled veteran tax credits, department of natural resources’ licenses and fees, permit to carry weapons fees, vehicle registration fees, and driver’s licenses, making penalties applicable, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

HF 912 creates a new fee waiver program for veteran-owned businesses in Iowa. It requires the Secretary of State to establish rules allowing qualified veteran-owned businesses (including LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits) to receive waivers for specific business filing fees. Veterans or veteran interest holders can file qualifying documents (like partnership registrations or corporate filings) without paying the standard fees. This applies to documents listed in existing statutes for business formations, making it a concrete administrative change for eligible businesses. The bill does not alter other veteran benefits listed in its title, such as tuition or tax credits, which remain unaffected by this specific provision.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills