HF 2467 (LSB 6105HV (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2467

BY  COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 2180)

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a service animal training grant program for veterans, providing fees, and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 35A.13, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  14.  There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of sixty-one thousand dollars for one full-time equivalent position to administer grant programs funded by the veterans trust fund.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  35A.23  Service animal training grant program —— appropriation.
   1.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
   a.  “Accredited organization” means a service animal training organization that maintains a physical operating location in this state and is accredited by the department pursuant to rules adopted under subsection 6.
   b.  “Eligible veteran” means a resident of this state who is a veteran, as defined in section 35.1, and who meets all eligibility requirements established by the department for participation in the service animal training grant program established under this section.
   c.  “Service animal training services” means training, placement, and related services provided by an accredited organization to support an eligible veteran’s use of a service animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the veteran.
   2.  A service animal training grant program is established under the administration and control of the department to award grants to eligible veterans to pay costs associated with service animal training services.
   3.  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, there is appropriated from the veterans trust fund created in section 35A.13 to the department one hundred thousand dollars to award grants under the service animal training grant program and to pay reasonable administrative costs of the department associated with the program. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated in this section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert but shall be distributed equally among the eligible veterans awarded a grant in that fiscal year.
   4.  In administering the program, the department shall grant up to five thousand dollars to each eligible veteran. An eligible veteran shall not receive more than one grant under this section during the veteran’s lifetime.
   5.  a.  An application may be submitted by an eligible veteran, on behalf of an eligible veteran by an accredited organization with the consent of the eligible veteran, or in another manner provided by rule.
   b.  The department shall pay the grant directly to the accredited organization identified in the approved application upon the eligible veteran’s receipt of the service animal.
   c.  An accredited organization shall only use the moneys awarded for the cost of service animal training services for the eligible veteran.
   d.  The department may require an accredited organization to certify the intended use of grant moneys and to provide documentation demonstrating provision of the service animal training services.
   6.  a.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section, including but not limited to rules related to all of the following:
   (1)  Criteria and procedures for accreditation and renewal of accreditation of organizations, including accreditation by assistance dogs international, inc., or a similar organization, minimum training standards, consumer protections, and proof of a physical operating location in this state.
   (2)  Eligibility requirements for veterans, application procedures, prioritization for awarding grants if requests exceed available funding, and procedures to prevent duplicate grants.
   (3)  Recordkeeping, reporting, compliance monitoring, and remedies for misuse of grant moneys, including recoupment when appropriate.
   b.  The department may establish a one-time fee for accredited organizations to offset administrative costs. The department may also require an organization whose accreditation is revoked to pay a fee for reaccreditation. Fees collected by the department under this paragraph shall be considered appropriated receipts, as defined in section 8.2, and are appropriated to the department for reasonable administrative costs associated with the program.
   7.  The department shall coordinate with county commissions of veteran affairs, county veteran service officers, and other statewide veteran service organizations to conduct outreach and assist eligible veterans with applications.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes a veterans service animal training grant program under the administration of the department of veterans affairs (department) for the purpose of providing service animal training services to eligible veterans. The bill annually appropriates $100,000 from the veterans trust fund to the department to support the program. Under the program, an eligible veteran may receive one grant in the veteran’s lifetime for up to $5,000, which shall be paid directly to the accredited organization providing the service animal training services. Any moneys appropriated for the grant program that are unencumbered or unobligated at the close of a fiscal year shall be distributed equally among the eligible veterans awarded a grant in that fiscal year. The department may charge a one-time fee to accredited organizations, which shall be used for reasonable administrative costs associated with the program. The department may require an organization whose accreditation has been revoked to pay a fee for reaccreditation. The bill requires the department to adopt rules for implementing and administering the program and to coordinate with veteran service organizations to conduct outreach and assist eligible veterans with applications.
   The bill annually appropriates $61,000 from the general fund of the state to the department for one full-time equivalent position to administer grant programs funded by the veterans trust fund.