Thursday, May 24, 2007
Governor Culver Signs Bills Honoring Iowa Troops & Veterans
(Des Moines) Today in Sioux City, Governor Chet Culver signed three separate bills honoring Iowa’s men and women in the armed forces and Iowa’s veterans. The bills, SF 586 (Gold Star Plates), HF 749 (Military Plates) and SF 578 (Vietnam Vet Bonus), were signed into law at a ceremony in Sioux City’s Long Lines Family Recreation Center.
“I am extremely proud to sign these bills honoring our veterans,” said Governor Culver. “Throughout this legislative session, we never forgot about the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women in uniform. While these dedicated Iowans are oversees fighting for our freedoms, when it comes to public policy at home, we are fighting for them. We will never forget the service and sacrifice of our soldiers, and that is why I am honored to sign these three important pieces of legislation so we can demonstrate, once again, our commitment to the men and women who have answered the call.”
Below are the details of the three bills:
Senate File 586 (Gold Star Plates):
- Codification was needed for the Gold Star plates because under the current administrative process for DOT there is a minimum of 500 applicants to warrant the existence of a plate and an individual would not be able to go to the DOT to get the plate without legislation.
- Fewer than 100 people qualify for each of the 5-6 new plates introduced in the legislation.
- DOT supports this legislation and by passing this bill into law individuals would qualify for the special gold star motor vehicle registration plate.
- This bill will expand the vehicle special license plates for veterans and emergency medical services.
- This legislation remains consistent with our state’s continued support of our veterans
- This bill clarifies and extends the Vietnam service bonus to a specific class of service people whose time of service ran from July 1973 to July 1975.
House File 749 (Military Plates):
Senate File 578 (Vietnam Vet Bonus):