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HF 249

A bill for an act relating to the recovery of benefits inappropriately obtained from the department of homeland security and emergency management.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 249 lets the state recover disaster assistance misused by recipients through liens, referrals, and possible wage or tax withholds, expanding HSEM enforcement.

Signed by Governor.
#emergencymanagement #fraud #healthandhumanservicesdepartment #homelandsecurityandemergencymanagementdepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 249

Summary — HF 249 (Signed May 19, 2025)

Status: Signed by Governor (May 19, 2025)
Introduced: February 6, 2025

Purpose

HF 249 expands existing state authority and procedures for recovering benefits that were inappropriately obtained — specifically extending those recovery mechanisms to benefits distributed by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). The bill clarifies lien rules, recordkeeping, enforcement procedures, and establishes a formal referral and review process for suspected fraud or other improper receipt of certain HSEM disaster‑assistance payments.

Key provisions

  • Amends Code section 10A.108 to treat amounts inappropriately obtained from HSEM like those from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
    • Such amounts (including interest, penalties, costs) constitute a state debt and may be a lien against a debtor’s real or personal property for the statutory period (with exemptions in chapter 627 preserved).
    • Liens do NOT attach to amounts attributable to agency errors. Liens only attach to benefits obtained because of false, misleading, incomplete, or inaccurate information submitted by the recipient.
  • Requires county recorders to maintain an index of liens for debts owed to HSEM (paralleling existing DHHS lien indexing requirements).
  • Directs the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to pursue collection of debts owed to HSEM “as soon as practicable” once delinquent, and authorizes DIAL investigators to serve distress warrants and proceed under chapter 626 when necessary.
  • Adds a new Code section 29C.26 authorizing HSEM to refer suspected fraud, misrepresentation, inadequate documentation, or other instances of inappropriate benefit receipt (including disaster aid individual assistance and disaster case advocacy grant programs) to DIAL or other state entities for review.
    • If fraud or inappropriate receipt is substantiated, the state shall review enforcement options including removal from other public assistance programs and garnishment of wages or state income tax refunds until recovery equals the improperly claimed amount.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Individuals who receive HSEM disaster‑related assistance (e.g., individual assistance grants, case advocacy grants) and who may have provided false or incomplete information to obtain benefits.
  • State agencies: HSEM (expanded recovery and referral responsibilities), DIAL (collection and enforcement), county recorders (new indexing duties), and potentially other benefit‑providing agencies (for cross‑program referrals and eligibility actions).
  • Third parties: Creditors and others may be affected indirectly by state liens recorded against debtors’ property.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • HF 249 amends existing recovery and enforcement provisions (10A.108) and creates new referral authority (29C.26).
  • The bill was passed unanimously in both chambers (House 92–0; Senate 47–0) and became law upon the Governor’s signature on May 19, 2025.
  • Enforcement actions follow existing statutory timelines and processes where referenced (e.g., lien duration per subsection 2 of 10A.108; exemptions under chapter 627; collection/distress procedures under chapter 626).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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