Capitol Notebook: Reynolds, lawmakers highlight support, proposals to aid veterans

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle Wednesday emphasized Iowa's commitment to veterans, proposing $500,000 in additional funding for the Veterans Home Ownership program, increasing funding to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund and continuing use of Iowa Lottery funds to assist veterans in need.

Reynolds delivered brief remarks during Veterans Day on the Hill at the Iowa Capitol, where veterans gathered to meet with lawmakers.

“You are living reminders that the debates, the hearings and votes that happen in this building … depend on a firm foundation of service and sacrifice,” the governor said. “And your presence reminds us never to take for granted the patriots who have lived those values to the utmost. But gratitude must go beyond words. It's our shared responsibility to ensure that every veteran has access to the resources, care and opportunities that they deserve.”

Reynolds noted she signed legislation that excludes military pensions from Iowa taxable income, stabilized a state trust fund that provides financial assistance to veterans in need, expanded eligibility for service members or veterans seriously injured in the line of duty to receive state assistance and overhauled the state’s mental health system “that veterans and truly all Iowans rely on to access care.”

“And I can tell you that we're far from finished this session,” she said.

Reynolds said she is proposing $500,000 in additional funding for the Veterans Home Ownership program, and is asking the Legislature allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue using $500,000 annually from the Iowa Lottery to help pay claims “for our most vulnerable veterans for many years to come.”

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The Veterans Affairs department has proposed legislation that would raise the state’s Veterans Trust Fund from $50 to $75 million. The fund is available to low-income Iowa veterans who need assistance making emergency payments for things like medical equipment, emergency room care, dental and hearing care, emergency housing and vehicle repairs, counseling, unemployment assistance and job training.

The Veterans Trust Fund is supported by an annual $2.5 million appropriation from the Iowa Lottery. Spending from the trust fund on claims is limited to $500,000, plus interest earned on the fund.

Under the proposed legislation, the limitations on claims spending would remain until the trust fund reaches $75 million.

The department said raising the trust fund’s principal balance would generate more future funds for claims spending, account for inflation and expanded program eligibility and help protect the fund from another surge in claims spending like what happened in the 2022 budget year.

Veterans groups said they also are calling on lawmakers to provide additional property tax relief for disabled veterans, who would have their property tax offset by the percentage of their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation rating. They also support legislation to expand veterans treatment courts in Iowa for military veterans who have a criminal charge, but who may have substance abuse and/or mental health issues, and support proposals for partial grants to help maintain veteran service organizations in the state.

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Higher penalties for assaulting officers, refs advances

State lawmakers advanced bills that would increase penalties for assaulting sports officials, prison guards, law enforcement officers and others in certain occupations in Iowa.

A three-member House subcommittee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance House Study Bill 24, proposed by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, to the full House Public Safety Committee.

Assaults against law enforcement officials reached a national 10-year high in 2023, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

The bill would elevate some of the penalties for assaults made on law enforcement and other public safety workers. The bill would:

The bill includes any assaults that are made against public safety workers such as peace officers, correctional staff, jailers, health care providers, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services employees, Natural Guard members, firefighters and civilian employees of a law enforcement agency.

Amendments were proposed to include juvenile detention workers and state employees conducting inspections and investigations, and to require a mental health or psychiatric evaluation for incarcerated individuals who commit assaults, particularly if there are indications they may be due to a mental health crisis or psychosis.

Lawmakers also advanced legislation — House File 52 — that would increase penalties for assaulting sports officials, including referees, umpires and linesmen.

The bill would make it a class “D” felony for assaults with intent to seriously injure or involving a dangerous weapon (punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245); an aggravated misdemeanor for assaults causing bodily injury (punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of $855 to $8,540); and a serious misdemeanor for other types of assault (punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of $430 to $2,560).

The bill also states that sports officials cannot be held civilly liable for injuries or damages arising from their officiating duties within an athletic facility. That measure contains exceptions under which sports officials would remain liable for their actions if they are “intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent.”

Supporters, including sports officials and associations, highlighted the bill’s importance in addressing the shortage of officials due to safety concerns.

Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, raised concerns about elevating sports officials to the same level as other public safety officials, and about the bill’s liability protections.

Lobbyists representing criminal defense and personal injury lawyers asked for clarity on the scope of the liability protection. Dave Rittman, with the Des Moines Officials Association, said sports officials are trained to address altercations between participants, but not between fans or coaches.

Bill would ban margarine, certain dyes in school foods

Two types of red and yellow food dyes, as well as margarine, would be prohibited from school lunches under legislation that advanced in the Iowa House, with lawmakers saying they will amend the bill.

House Study Bill 5 would ban margarine and artificial dyes Red 40 and Yellow 7 from school meals.

The chair of the three-member subcommittee that considered the bill Wednesday, Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, said he is willing to advance the bill with the intent to amend it to address concerns that other lawmakers and educators brought up. Shipley said he considers the bill the beginning of an important conversation.

The bill was written by Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull. Shipley said the proposal was built in part off a measure in California, which last year banned six artificial dyes from school foods, including Red 40.

Lobbyists representing educators welcomed the conversation but asked lawmakers to consider the timeline for implementing such a measure, should it become law. They said the proposal would take time to implement and would have an impact on schools’ budgets. They noted the California measure was passed last year but does not go into effect until 2027.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau