This bill amends existing laws related to county veterans services in Iowa, replacing the county commissions of veteran affairs fund and training program account with a new county veterans services excellence fund and training program and administration account. The bill stipulates that moneys in the new fund will be appropriated to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) to incentivize counties to enhance veteran outreach and improve the efficiency of applications for federal veteran compensation. It also modifies the allocation process for funds, establishing that for the fiscal year 2026-2027, each county will receive an equal amount, while subsequent allocations will be based on performance criteria set by IDVA.

Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a statewide standardized electronic claim system for county veterans service offices to submit claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It requires IDVA to verify that executive directors and administrators of county commissions meet specific education and training standards, while removing the previous requirement for proficiency in general computer use. The bill also includes provisions for IDVA to communicate performance metrics to county commissions and requires them to review quarterly performance reports. Furthermore, it specifies that when the veterans trust fund balance exceeds $50 million, the first $300,000 of lottery revenues will be allocated to the new training program and administration account.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 35A.5, 35A.16, 35A.13, 12C.7, 35B.7, 99G.39