This bill appropriates funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to various departments in Iowa, with a focus on veterans' affairs, health and human services, and related programs. Key allocations include $1,384,743 for the Department of Veterans Affairs administration, $8,234,502 for the Iowa Veterans Home, and $2,700,000 for the Home Ownership Assistance Program for veterans. Additionally, it designates $19,208,822 for aging and disability services, $24,442,347 for behavioral health initiatives, and significant funding for public health programs, including $22,413,883 for health promotion and disease prevention. The bill also emphasizes the importance of matching funds for local agencies and outlines responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services in distributing federal matching funds.

Moreover, the bill introduces provisions regarding the non-reversion of unencumbered or unobligated funds, allowing them to remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years for designated purposes, particularly for the Thrive Iowa program and child care assistance. It amends Section 123.17 of the Code 2024 to adjust the transfer of funds from the beer and liquor control fund, reducing the amount directed to the Department of Health and Human Services from two million dollars to one million dollars, which will now support a newly established behavioral health fund. The bill also mandates the creation of a reimbursement methodology for nursing facilities under the medical assistance program and includes various provisions for fund transfers, cash flow management, and emergency rulemaking authority, with an effective date of immediate enactment and retroactive applicability to July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 231.56A, 8.33, 123.17