SF 2111– Response and reporting requirements for sexual abuse allegations
SF 2242 – Military homeownership assistance program
SSB 3124 – Disabled veterans license plates
COMMITTEE ACTION:
SF 2111establishes response and reporting requirements for the handling of allegations of sexual abuse in the state military forces. Although SF 2111 was amended unanimously and will be redrafted as a Committee bill, the subcommittee requested approval “without recommendation” so that the proposal remains eligible for further debate and members can continue to work on additional clarification and modification. [2/19: Without recommendation, short form]
SF 2242 (SSB 3178) relates to the State’s military homeownership assistance program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Currently, eligibility is limited to those who are or were members of the National Guard, a Reserve or Regular component of the U.S. Armed Forces who has served at least 90 days of active duty beginning on or after September 11, 2001, and to certain members who were precluded from completing the minimum aggregate of 90 days of active duty service due to injury. The bill expands the criteria to include members who served during the period of the Persian Gulf Conflict, beginning August 2, 1990, and ending April 6, 1991. It also allows an eligible veteran to use financing other than that available under IFA’s current homebuyer programs if the offered financing is by a lender that participates in IFA’s homebuyer programs or is approved by IFA, and if the Authority determines that the offered financing would be economically feasible and financially advantageous for the veteran. This provision applies to financed home purchases that close on or after July 1, 2014. [2/18: short form]
SSB 3124provides that a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or higher may be issued one set of disabled veteran registration plates. The plates are to be issued without any special fee, other than the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. Currently, disabled veteran registration plates are only issued to seriously disabled veterans who have been provided with an automobile or other vehicle by the United States government. The subcommittee recommended additional conforming changes and to clarify carryover and registration fees. [2/18: short form]