Iowa Congressional Bills

in committee · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HR 3521: Clinical Trial Modernization Act

Clinical Trial Modernization Act This bill authorizes a grant program and provides certain exemptions to support the participation of individuals in clinical trials. Specifically, the bill authorizes a grant program to support outreach, education, and recruitment efforts for clinical trials that may benefit certain underrepresented populations or communities in need, such as rural or tribal areas. The bill also exempts from anti-kickback laws for federal health care programs (1) remuneration that is offered to cover participants' expenses to participate in clinical trials, (2) the provision of free digital health technologies to support participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials, and (3) payment for participants' cost-sharing obligations in relation to clinical trials. Finally, the bill exempts up to $2,000 in remuneration that is received for participating in a clinical trial from income tax.

Raul Ruiz (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HR 3509: Supporting Our Surviving Spouses Act

This bill removes the statute of limitations for certain survivor benefit claims against the U.S. Government. It specifically applies to survivors of military members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. The key change amends federal law to state that no time limit applies when filing for survivor benefits under this provision. The bill takes effect for claims filed after its enactment date.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HR 3526: Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025

HR 3526, the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025, increases the maximum amount first-time homebuyers can withdraw penalty-free from retirement accounts. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the limit from $10,000 to $50,000 for qualified first-time homebuyer distributions. This change directly affects individuals using retirement savings to purchase their first home, allowing them to access significantly more funds without incurring the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Beth Van Duyne (R) · 61 co-sponsors

in committee · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HR 3505: Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025

HR 3505, the Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program administered by the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of proven safety barriers and nets on specific high-risk structures. The program provides competitive grants (up to 80% federal funding) to states, local governments, or other eligible entities for projects installing suicide deterrents on bridges, buildings, parking garages, highway-rail crossings, or rail stations. It prioritizes areas with high suicide rates and mandates a study by the Comptroller General to evaluate effective deterrents for non-bridge structures and their costs, with a report due within one year of enactment. The bill authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2030 for this initiative.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

passed · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HR 1578: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025

This bill requires the VA to notify veterans filing claims without representation about free help from recognized veterans service organizations and trained representatives. It mandates an online tool listing accredited representatives (updated quarterly) and adds fee warnings to VA websites, including links to the tool and a site for reporting unauthorized fees. The VA must also review its processes for recognizing representatives within 180 days and report findings to Congress. The bill directly affects veterans navigating VA claims by improving access to verified assistance and transparency around fees. It focuses on concrete procedural changes to enhance claimant awareness, not on outcome predictions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Iowa · Senate May 19, 2025

SRES 143: A resolution supporting the designation of May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness.

This resolution designates May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise public awareness about mental health challenges in farming and ranching. It directly affects farmers and farmworkers, who face significantly higher suicide rates (3.5x the general population for farmers, 1.4x for farmworkers) and unique stressors like weather, labor shortages, and market fluctuations. The resolution highlights existing USDA resources like the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and encourages the public to observe the day to reduce stigma and promote mental well-being in the agricultural workforce. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new programs but aims to foster awareness during National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 19, 2025

S 1805: Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act This bill allows a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to fulfill documentation requirements for coverage, under Medicare, of special shoes for diabetic individuals. Under current law, such requirements may be satisfied only by a physician.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House May 19, 2025

HR 3500: More Funding for COPS Act

HR 3500 increases annual funding for the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program to $1.16 billion per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, replacing a prior funding level. This bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies that receive COPS grants to hire community policing officers. The key provision amends the funding amount in the 1968 crime control law, ensuring higher annual support for community policing initiatives. The change provides stable, increased funding for these programs over the next five fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Iowa · House May 19, 2025

HR 2240: Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act

HR 2240 requires federal agencies to analyze data gaps related to law enforcement safety and wellness. Specifically, it mandates three reports within 270 days of enactment: one on attacks against officers (including ambushes), another on unreported aggressive incidents not meeting crime thresholds, and a third on officer mental health impacts and existing wellness resources. The reports will examine current data collection limitations, training effectiveness, and potential improvements to reporting systems like the Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted Data Collection. This bill focuses on gathering information to inform future policy decisions, not on creating new programs or funding. It directly affects federal agencies (Attorney General, FBI, National Institute of Justice) and aims to improve understanding of officer safety challenges.

Tim Moore (R) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 15, 2025

S 1792: AI Whistleblower Protection Act

This bill protects employees and independent contractors who report AI-related security risks or violations. It prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who disclose AI security vulnerabilities (like potential theft of AI systems) or AI violations (such as unsafe development practices) to regulators, Congress, or internal supervisors. Covered individuals can seek remedies like reinstatement, double back pay, and legal fees through the Labor Department or federal court if retaliated against. The law explicitly blocks employers from requiring arbitration or waiving these protections through contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 15, 2025

S 1793: COUNTER Act

The COUNTER Act (S 1793) amends U.S. military law to clarify and expand authorities for responding to drone threats. It allows the Secretary of Defense to delegate drone mitigation actions to combatant commanders and exempts related technology and protocols from public disclosure under federal and state laws. The bill specifies that certain federal laws (like those covering cybercrime and aviation) do not apply to military drone mitigation efforts conducted outside the United States. It also updates reporting deadlines and adds new definitions for military commands involved in drone threat response, with key provisions extending until 2030. This bill directly affects Department of Defense and Coast Guard operations related to unmanned aircraft system threats.

Tom Cotton (R) · 38 co-sponsors

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 15, 2025

S 1779: LOCOMOTIVES Act

This bill (S 1779, the LOCOMOTIVES Act) amends the Clean Air Act to prevent states from setting their own emissions standards for locomotives and engines used in locomotives. It specifically removes exemptions for smaller nonroad engines and clarifies that all locomotives engaged in commercial railroad transportation (as defined by federal law) fall under federal emissions regulations, not state rules. The key provision eliminates state authority over emissions standards for locomotives used in commerce, making federal EPA regulations the exclusive standard. This directly affects railroad companies operating locomotives and the Environmental Protection Agency, which would enforce the uniform federal standards.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Joni Ernst (R) · 19 co-sponsors

Iowa Congressional Bills

Bill results