HF 2107 (LSB 5627HH (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 2107

BY  PETTENGILL

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to veterans affairs by expanding the definition of veteran.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 35.1, subsection 2, paragraph b, subparagraphs (1) and (2), Code 2014, are amended to read as follows:
   (1)  Former members of the reserve forces of the United States who served at least twenty years in the reserve forces and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the reserve forces of the United States who completed a minimum aggregate of ninety days of served on federal active duty, other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions, or was retired under Tit. 10 of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
   (2)  Former members of the Iowa national guard who served at least twenty years in the Iowa national guard and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the Iowa national guard who was activated for served on state active duty or federal active duty, other than training, for a minimum aggregate of ninety days, and was discharged under honorable conditions or was retired under Tit. 10 of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to veterans affairs by expanding the definition of veteran in Code section 35.1.
   Under current law the term veteran includes former members of the reserve forces of the United States who served at least 20 years in the reserve forces and who were discharged under honorable conditions and members of the reserve forces who completed a minimum aggregate of 90 days of federal active duty, other than training, and were discharged under honorable conditions, or retired under Title 10 of the United States Code.
   The term also includes former members of the Iowa national guard who served at least 20 years in the Iowa national guard and who were discharged under honorable conditions and members of 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 under Title 10 of the United States Code. 
   The bill maintains current law for former members who served at least 20 years, but provides that any member of the reserve forces of the United States who served on federal active duty, other than training, and any Iowa national guard member who served on state or federal active duty, other than training, who was discharged under honorable conditions or was retired under Title 10 of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
   The definition of veteran in Code section 35.1 is cited elsewhere throughout the Code, including in provisions related to veterans benefits, employment, education, property taxes, and insurance.