Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 2066: A bill for an act relating to the terms of service of certain statewide boards.

HF 2066 changes the terms of service for members of certain Iowa statewide boards. It shortens the service term from six years to four years for members appointed by the governor on or after July 1, 2026. Current members appointed before June 30, 2026, will continue to serve six-year terms. The bill affects boards including the Iowa finance authority, agricultural development board, voting systems examiners, retirement system investment board, state board of education, and state board of regents.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SF 2060: A bill for an act relating to eligibility standards for certain education programs and tax provisions based on religious or sectarian use or purpose, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's education and tax laws to ensure public funding for educational programs excludes religious instruction. It defines "property" to exclude facilities used for sectarian teaching, worship, or religious training, and requires courses for high school students taking college credit to be nonsectarian. School districts must verify comparable nonreligious courses aren't available before allowing students to enroll in eligible college courses at community colleges. Textbook funding for nonpublic schools must be for nonreligious materials, and districts must annually approve courses for academic rigor. The bill affects public school districts, community colleges, and accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 129: A bill for an act relating to the minimum amounts required for motor vehicle financial responsibility, and making penalties applicable.

HF 129 increases Iowa's minimum required auto insurance coverage for bodily injury or death to $50,000 per person and $100,000 for multiple people in an accident, and raises property damage coverage to $50,000. These changes apply to all Iowa drivers who must prove financial responsibility for vehicle accidents, including those leasing vehicles or driving for transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) when not actively transporting passengers. The bill updates insurance policy requirements, judgment limits, and proof of coverage standards to match these new amounts. It also increases penalties for driving without required insurance, with fines rising to $645 if caught in an accident.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 192: A bill for an act relating to the responsibility and liability of property owners for public places in cities and including effective date provisions.

HF 192 amends Iowa law to clarify that abutting property owners (those whose property borders city streets) may be held liable for damages if they fail to maintain public areas between their property lines and curb lines, as required by city ordinance. The bill specifically adds that owners could be liable for not using "reasonable care" in maintaining sidewalks or similar public spaces. This change directly affects property owners adjacent to city streets, potentially increasing their legal responsibility for upkeep. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 803: A bill for an act relating to court-ordered substance use disorder evaluations for persons convicted of operating while intoxicated.

HF 803 changes the timing for substance use disorder evaluations required for people convicted of operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Iowa. Currently, courts order these evaluations to be completed *before* sentencing; this bill removes that specific timing requirement. The law still mandates that OWI convicts pay for and undergo the evaluation, and follow its recommendations as outlined in another section of the code. This directly affects individuals sentenced for OWI offenses in Iowa courts, altering when the evaluation must be conducted relative to sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 529: A bill for an act relating to the maximum weight of vehicles powered primarily by natural gas or electric battery, and making penalties applicable.

HF 529 allows natural gas and electric battery-powered trucks in Iowa to exceed standard 80,000-pound weight limits up to 82,000 pounds, removing a previous requirement that the extra weight must directly offset the heavier fuel system. This change applies to commercial trucking companies operating these specific vehicle types, directly affecting their weight compliance. The bill modifies existing weight regulations by simplifying the calculation for allowable excess weight, while maintaining current penalty structures for overweight vehicles (fines from $12 to $2,200 plus $0.10 per pound over limit). It aims to align weight rules with the physical characteristics of alternative-fuel vehicles without altering enforcement penalties.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 993: A bill for an act providing for the direct shipment of alcoholic liquor, providing fees, and including effective date provisions.

HF 993 creates an "alcoholic liquor direct shipper license," allowing alcoholic liquor manufacturers to ship their products directly to individual purchasers within the state. Manufacturers, whether in-state or out-of-state, can obtain this license for a fee. The bill establishes requirements for these direct shipments, including limits on the volume of liquor that can be shipped based on the manufacturer's production, mandatory labeling, and the use of authorized carriers. Purchasers must be at least 21 years old and the liquor is for personal use, with licensees remitting a fee to the department based on the wholesale price.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 7, 2026

SF 2135: A bill for an act providing for the regulation of commercial establishments possessing or controlling animals other than agricultural animals, providing fees, making appropriations, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2135 requires licenses or permits for commercial establishments (like pet shops, kennels, shelters, and breeders) that handle animals not used for agriculture. It mandates annual licensing with fees of $75 for certificates (e.g., shelters) and $175 for licenses (e.g., pet shops), and prohibits these businesses from purchasing animals from unlicensed facilities. The bill also requires establishments to maintain records for department compliance checks and sets penalties for violations, including reinspection fees for repeated noncompliance. This law directly affects Iowa businesses operating animal facilities beyond farming, imposing new regulatory and financial obligations.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2341: A bill for an act establishing a partial exemption on property taxes for certain residential properties sold in disaster areas.

HF 2341 creates a partial property tax exemption for residential properties sold by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in areas declared major disaster zones by the president or state disaster emergencies by the governor. It applies specifically to properties sold to owners already receiving Iowa's homestead tax credit, providing a phased tax reduction over four years: 80% exemption in the first assessment year, 60% in the second, 40% in the third, and 20% in the fourth. The exemption expires after the fourth year, meaning homeowners pay full property tax starting in the fifth year. This bill directly affects HUD-sold homeowners in disaster-affected areas who qualify for the homestead tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2300: A bill for an act limiting the authority of counties and cities to regulate hemp production on land zoned for specific purposes.

HF 2300 prevents Iowa counties and cities from creating or enforcing local rules that restrict where federally licensed hemp producers can operate. Specifically, it prohibits local governments from regulating, restricting, or banning hemp production on land zoned for commercial or industrial use. The bill directly affects hemp businesses seeking to locate operations in these zones by removing potential local regulatory barriers. It does not change state hemp laws or affect land zoned for residential or agricultural purposes. This is a regulatory limitation bill focused on preempting local ordinances.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2321: A bill for an act relating to membership in the protection occupation category of the Iowa public employees’ retirement system for certain social workers.

HF 2321 reclassifies certain social workers employed by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services as "protection occupation" members of the state public employees' retirement system. It directly affects social workers who conduct child protective assessments, family assessments, or safety planning requiring in-person contact with children/families and face heightened safety risks (e.g., entering private residences, interacting with violent individuals, or handling abuse allegations). The bill retroactively reclassifies their prior service as protection occupation service without requiring additional retirement contributions, provided their employer certifies their duties meet the specified criteria. This change ensures these workers' retirement benefits align with the risk level of their roles, as defined by the bill’s safety-related duties.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2313: A bill for an act relating to the discharge of toxic pollutants associated with coal ash into water sources.

HF 2313 prohibits coal-fired power plants and coal ash landfills from discharging toxic pollutants - including mercury, arsenic, and cadmium - from specific wastewater streams (like flue gas desulfurization water and ash transport water) into water sources. It directly affects existing coal power facilities operating before July 1, 2026, requiring them to comply by December 31, 2029, while new facilities must comply before starting operations. The bill mandates that the environmental department create implementing rules and aims to protect drinking water, groundwater, and communities from avoidable coal ash pollution linked to serious health risks. The law focuses on preventing toxic discharges using existing technology, with clear compliance deadlines for different facility types.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results