Veterans Affairs – Week of March 17, 2011

STAFF CONTACT:  Julie T. Simon

SF 402 – Injured Veterans Grant program

HF 195 – Active-duty assignment of visitation/physical care parenting

HF 363 – Duties of Commission of Veterans Affairs

HF 474 – Designation of annual Purple Heart Day

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 402 allows a seriously-injured veteran who has previously received an injured veterans grant to be eligible to apply for and receive an additional grant from the Injured Veterans Grant Program for a subsequent serious injury received in the line of duty unrelated to the first injury. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs requested consideration of the legislation after a soldier who had received a grant was re-deployed and received another serious injury in the line of duty during that deployment. [3/10: 50-0]

COMMITTEE ACTION:

HF 364 will enhance timely sharing of information between the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and county commissions of veteran affairs regarding service members discharged from active duty. It requires the IDVA to provide to the appropriate county commission information including  the name, address of  record, and the county of residence of military service members discharged from active duty within 30 days after the IDVA receives the notification from the federal government. Supporters include the American Legion and the Iowa County Commissioners of Veterans Affairs. The bill passed the House 96-0. [3/16: short form]

HF 195 relates to assignment of visitation or physical care parenting time for children of military service members on active duty by making changes to Iowa Code Chapter 598.41D. The Committee approved an amendment that incorporates the language in SF 198, crafted after discussions with representatives of the Iowa National Guard and the Iowa State Bar Association, and approved Feb 8. The Senate version gives the court more flexibility in the factors that will be considered in assignment, in the best interest of the service member’s child or children. The provisions would take effect upon enactment.  [3/16: short form (Sodders “pass”)]

HF 363 addresses the duties of Commission of Veterans Affairs. The Committee unanimously voted to amend HF 363 to conform to SF 294, approved by the Committee previously. The amendment requires rules proposed by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) to first be approved by the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs on a majority vote, and strikes current language that states the Commission may disapprove a specific rule by a two-thirds vote. It requires the Commission to give guidance and make recommendations to the IDVA on its annual departmental budget, and on any adjustments to that budget during a fiscal year. To reinforce the partnership between IDVA and the Commission in the goal of hiring and keeping well-trained personnel in county offices statewide, it requires the Commission to consult with the IDVA regarding the education and certification of county veterans affairs commissions’ executive directors and administrators. [3/16: short form]

HF 474 requests and authorizes the Governor to annually issue a proclamation designating August 7 as Purple Heart Day and encourage all governmental bodies in Iowa to observe the day in a way that honors the sacrifice of those men and women who were injured or gave their lives in military service to the United States of America. The bill passed the House 98-0. [3/16: short form]