The American Legion supports efforts to improve services for Iowa’s veterans. However, we remain concerned that SF 2466 and the plan for implementing the bill contain provisions that may weaken, rather than strengthen, the system that currently helps veterans access the benefits they have earned. Our key concerns are:
1. Reduced Training Support
The bill eliminates $3,000 in funding counties use for accredited training through organizations such as the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) and The American Legion. These programs ensure County Veteran Service Officers maintain national accreditation, ongoing education, and proficiency.
2. Flawed Incentive Structure
The proposed incentive program ranks counties against one another, ensuring that one-third will always fall at the bottom regardless of performance. This approach may disadvantage counties with the greatest need and does not account for factors outside local control, including retroactive federal awards and veterans who are not eligible for VA compensation. Additionally, the ranking is based only on federal VA compensation, and does not account for other provided services, such as coordinating transportation to VA appointments, connecting veterans with community resources, and assisting veterans with applications to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.
3. Lack of Stakeholder Collaboration
This proposal was developed without meaningful input from the County Veteran Service Officers, Veteran Service Organizations, or the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs—the very groups responsible for helping veterans successfully access benefits every day.
We share the goal of strengthening services for Iowa’s veterans. However, meaningful collaboration with those on the front lines is essential. Defeat SF 2466!
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