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House expands eligibility for county veterans affairs commissions; one member votes no
Summary
Senate File 93 expands who may serve on county veterans affairs commissions to include some National Guard/reserve members and former reserve members; the House passed the bill 89–1 after floor debate about definitions and benefit qualifications.
Representative Sarah Gordo told the House that Senate File 93 broadens eligibility for county veterans affairs commissions to include current members of the National Guard or reserve with a commander's endorsement and former members who served honorably but may not meet the technical veteran definition in Iowa Code chapter 35. "Senate file 93 expands pool of eligible applicants available to serve on a county veterans affairs commission," the sponsor said.
Representative Levin said they had served on the subcommittee for years and remained concerned that expanding eligibility risks introducing conflicting definitions of "veteran" into the code and could extend responsibilities to people who do not qualify for the benefits that the commission oversees. Levin said, "for that those reasons, I will be voting no on this bill today." The bill passed by recorded vote, 89 yeas, 1 nay, 10 absent, and the clerk declared it passed the House.
