Bill

Bill > HF779


IA HF779

A bill for an act relating to persons eligible for special registration plates with a veteran processed emblem.(Formerly HF 292.)


summary

Introduced
03/05/2025
In Committee
03/18/2025
Crossed Over
03/17/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

Under current law, the department of transportation (DOT) is authorized to issue special registration plates with a distinguishing processed emblem depicting the word “veteran” below an image of the American flag to a motor vehicle owner who served in the armed forces of the United States and was discharged under honorable conditions. Pursuant to rules adopted by the DOT (761 IAC 401.31), an application for special plates with a veteran processed emblem must be submitted to the commission of veterans affairs on a form prescribed by the DOT. The commission of veterans affairs must determine whether the applicant is a veteran and, if so, certify this fact on the application form. This bill makes persons who served in the reserve forces of the United States or the Iowa national guard, regardless of the number of years of service, and who were discharged under honorable conditions eligible to receive special registration plates with a veteran processed emblem. Under current law, “veteran”, when used in Code chapter 35 (veterans affairs), and in numerous other provisions by reference, includes former members of the reserve forces of the United States or the Iowa national guard who served at least 20 years and who were discharged under honorable conditions; members of the reserve forces of the United States or the Iowa national guard who were activated for federal duty, other than training, for a minimum aggregate of 90 days, and were discharged under honorable conditions or were retired in accordance with federal law; and members of the reserve forces of the United States or the Iowa national guard who have served at least 20 years and who continue to serve.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Iowa's vehicle registration law to expand eligibility for special veteran license plates by allowing members of the reserve forces and Iowa National Guard to obtain these plates, regardless of the length of their military service, as long as they were discharged under honorable conditions. The bill removes the word "military" when describing service proof and ensures that the existing process for special registration plates remains the same, including the collection of special plate fees which will continue to be deposited in the road use tax fund and transferred to the veterans license fee fund. The key change is broadening the definition of who qualifies as a veteran for the purposes of special registration plates, making it more inclusive by recognizing service in reserve forces and the National Guard in addition to the traditional armed forces, and removing any minimum service time requirements.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Veterans Affairs (H)

Last Action

Subcommittee: Salmon, Costello, and Dotzler. S.J. 640. (on 03/25/2025)

bill text


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