Iowa House Bill HF223

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to transfers of moneys from the lottery fund to the veterans trust fund.

Impact

This change is significant as it ensures a steady stream of funding to the veterans trust fund, which is vital for supporting the needs of veterans in Iowa. The bill positions the veterans trust fund to receive consistent financial support, aimed at providing a range of services and benefits to veterans. Furthermore, once the trust fund reaches the stipulated balance, the state can focus on distributing funds effectively to county directors of veterans affairs based on veterans' populations, enhancing local support mechanisms.

Summary

House File 223 (HF223) aims to streamline the transfer of funds from the state lottery revenues to the veterans trust fund established under Iowa law. The bill introduces a notable amendment to the current provisions governing the annual transfer amount, which is set at $2.5 million. Currently, the transfer is contingent upon the balance of the veterans trust fund reaching or exceeding $50 million. HF223 seeks to eliminate this condition, allowing for a guaranteed annual appropriation of $2.5 million to the veterans trust fund, regardless of its balance.

Contention

While the proposal is largely recognized as beneficial for veteran support programs, there may be points of contention regarding budget allocations from the lottery revenues. The decision to secure funding for the veterans trust fund may lead to discussions on prioritizing veteran services over other potential uses for lottery revenues. Stakeholders might raise concerns about ensuring that the needs of other community funding initiatives are not sidelined as funding is streamlined to veterans' programs.