Iowa Governor Culver Signs Legislation To Benefit Veterans, Service Members In Iowa

In-State Tuition, Foreclosure Protection Among Bills Signed by Governor

May 26, 2009 -- WATERLOO – A day after Americans observed Memorial Day, Iowa Governor Chet Culver visited the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum to sign four bills into law to benefit veterans and service members.

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The legislation signed by Governor Culver includes enabling veterans to pay in-state college tuition in Iowa and strengthening foreclosure protections for families of Iowans on active duty.

“I’m here today to send a clear message to Iowa’s veterans, and our men and women in uniform: We thank you for your service and will support you when you come home,” said Governor Culver. “Veterans have served with bravery, dignity and excellence, and they have the gratitude of every Iowan.”

The bills signed by Governor Culver this morning in Waterloo were:

* House File 503: Updates the definition of veteran in the Iowa Code to include men and women who served on active duty during peacetime, and were honorably discharged. This will allow veterans seeking federal benefits access to greater services at the county level, and will allow for burial at the state veterans’ cemetery.
* House File 706: Protects members of the military who are on active duty from foreclosure. Active military duty can represent a financial hardship for families and the goal of this legislation is to prevent service members and their families from losing their homes. It also places into Iowa Code certain federal mortgage protections, for the benefit of active duty military, and activated Iowa Reservists and National Guard members.
* Senate File 186: Expands the definition of veterans’ preference, for the purposes of state, county, municipal, and school hiring.
* Senate File 451: Helps veterans with residency issues associated with higher education, by allowing veterans to use in-state tuition at community colleges and at regents’ institutions. This also will help their families, by allowing spouses and children the same residency benefits.

“I am proud to sign these bills in order to improve the quality of life for our men and women who have served, and continue to serve, the country we love,” added Governor Culver.”

Source: Iowa Governor