Veterans Affairs Committee Report – Week 12, 2019

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 340 – Notice of incarcerated veterans

COMMITTEE ACTION:

HF 289 – Distribution of gambling receipts for charitable purposes

HF 689 – Removal of county veterans service officers

 

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 340 – Notice of incarcerated veterans

SF 340 enhances Iowa law for incarcerated veterans. Currently, the personnel of a jail or municipal holding facility must inquire whether a prisoner is a veteran and, if so, must inform the prisoner, within 24 hours of the veteran’s incarceration, that they may be entitled to a visit from a veteran service officer (VSO) to determine if veteran services are required or available. Within 72 hours, the prisoner must be given contact information for the county VSO and be allowed to contact the VSO to request a visit. This proposal states that the personnel of a jail or municipal holding facility must attempt to notify the county commission of veteran affairs of the incarceration of a veteran within 24 hours of the veteran’s incarceration. Notice may be communicated by a telephonically recorded message or electronically by email.
[3/28: 47-0 (Absent: Breitbach, Nunn, Sweeney)]

 

COMMITTEE ACTION:

HF 289 – Distribution of gambling receipts for charitable purposes

HF 289 requires a qualified sponsoring organization licensed to operate gambling games in Iowa under Chapter 99F — Gambling Games Regulation — to provide that any organization exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code is eligible for a distribution of adjusted gross receipts for educational, civic, public, charitable, patriotic or religious  uses. The Veterans National Recovery Center supports the bill. HF 289 passed the House 97-0.
[4/2: short form]

 

HF 689 – Removal of county veterans service officers

HF 689 clarifies provisions regarding the removal from office of a county veterans service officer (VSO). Currently, each county commission of veteran affairs must employ an executive director or administrator, recognized as the county’s VSO. The bill provides that an executive director or administrator can only be removed from office by the county commission of veteran affairs subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors. This mirrors the appointment process to this position. The Iowa State Association of Counties supports the proposal. The bill passed the House 96-0.
[4/2: short form]