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House approves tweak to National Guard scholarship after amendment fails
Summary
Lawmakers approved a change to the National Guard Service Scholarship program that limits scholarship awards to the difference between a school's tuition and federal scholarship funds after an amendment to restore non‑discrimination language failed on a 31‑68 vote.
The House of Representatives on the floor approved House File 118, a measure to modify the National Guard Service Scholarship program, after lawmakers rejected an amendment to restore specific eligibility language.
House File 118 changes how scholarship amounts for Iowa National Guard members are calculated so that an award “does not exceed the difference between the tuition rate of the school and the amount of federal scholarship monies received,” and removes language the sponsor described as antiquated.
Representative Levin offered amendment H1001 to restore language stating, “Neither eligibility nor the scholarship award determinations shall be based upon a National Guard member's unit, the location at which drills are attended, or whether the eligible individual is a member of the Iowa Army or Air National Guard.” Levin said she had heard Guard members’ concerns and worried the struck language could allow differential treatment based on unit or drill location.
Representative Stone urged the body to reject the amendment, saying it should resist the change. The motion to adopt amendment H1001 failed on a roll‑call division, 31‑68. After the amendment failed, the House voted to pass House File 118, 99‑0, with one member absent; the bill received the constitutional majority required and was declared passed.
The debate on the amendment centered on whether restoring the struck sentence was necessary to prevent eligibility distinctions; supporters of the amendment said it preserved non‑discrimination, while opponents argued the bill as written would improve the program without creating unfairness.
House File 118 was presented to the House as a bill “brought forward by the National Guard” and the sponsor said it would not reduce scholarships for any Guard member while removing language considered outdated. The title was agreed to without objection and the House ordered the bill sent as required.
Votes at a glance: Amendment H1001 (Levin) — failed, 31 yes, 68 no. House File 118 — passed, 99 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.
