Monday, May 5, 2008
Governor Culver Signs Bills To Help Students And Veterans
Governor Signs Student Loan Bill in Ames and Veterans Bills in Fort Dodge
DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver travels to Ames and Fort Dodge to sign into law bills assisting Iowa ’s students and veterans.
Earlier this morning, Governor Culver traveled to Iowa State University in Ames to sign into law HF 2690, a bill to provide more oversight and accountability for student loan lenders, including requiring an annual review of the student loan market by the Superintendent of Banking and requiring a code of conduct for each financial aid office at every college and university.
“Today, we took another important step in helping our young people achieve their hopes and dreams of going to college,” said Governor Culver. “This is a great example of what can happen when we put partisan politics aside and focus on what's best for Iowa students and families."
HF 2690 will also:
- Provide more oversight and accountability for some lenders, including making them subject to the open meetings and open records laws;
- Prohibit lenders from providing gifts in exchange for any advantage or consideration of its educational loan products, and prohibit covered institutions from using misleading or misguiding practices to gain an advantage in recruiting borrowers; and
- Give the Iowa Attorney General more oversight of student loans in Iowa .
Later today, at the 133rd National Guard Test Squadron in Fort Dodge, Governor Culver will sign into law HF 2124, a bill to expand the uses of the Veterans Trust Fund, SF 2134, a bill to improve county office operations, and HF 2283, a bill to reopen the Vietnam Bonus program for Vietnam veterans who were inducted into the military in Iowa, applied for the 1970’s Iowa Bonus, but were denied because of residency requirements.
“Today, and every day, we salute those who wore the uniform and we give our deep and heartfelt thanks for the freedom they so bravely defended in service to our country,” said Governor Culver. “For generations, Iowans have answered the call of their communities, state, and nation during times of need, and stood ready to do whatever necessary to protect and defend the lives of family, friends and neighbors. Signing these bills into law allows us to once again show our gratitude to Iowa veterans for their service and commitment to improving their quality of life once they return home.”