Iowa Bills | MyRepTracker

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HSB 769: A bill for an act relating to driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards marked to reflect gold star status.

This Iowa bill allows surviving spouses, parents, children, and siblings of U.S. military members who died while serving on active duty to request a specific mark on their driver's licenses or identification cards. Upon providing proof of eligibility, the state will issue these documents with the phrase "GOLD STAR FAMILY" printed prominently on the face. The legislation does not change any existing rights or benefits but simply adds this visual designation to honor the loss of a loved one in military service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HF 2689: A bill for an act relating to the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2689 creates a sales tax holiday for clothing under $100 sold on July 3-5, 2026, in Iowa, exempting these purchases from state sales tax (with exclusions like sportswear and protective gear). It also establishes a task force to organize commemorative activities for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, including Capitol decorations, July 2026 events, an educational display honoring U.S. presidents, and Constitution Day school instruction on September 17, 2026. The bill affects Iowa residents purchasing qualifying clothing during the specified dates and requires public schools and state agencies to participate in anniversary programming. It does not alter tax rates permanently but provides a temporary exemption for a limited period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HSB 756: A bill for an act relating to captive insurance companies and life captive reinsurance companies, and including civil penalties.

This bill protects the confidentiality of tax returns filed by captive insurance companies and life captive reinsurance companies in Iowa. It prohibits state employees from publishing these returns, imposing serious misdemeanor penalties including dismissal from state employment for violations. The law allows limited sharing of these returns with federal tax authorities or other states under formal agreements. This directly affects companies operating under Iowa’s captive insurance regulations, ensuring their tax filings remain confidential except in specific, authorized circumstances.

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 13, 2026

HF 2331: A bill for an act creating an attorney loan repayment program, and making appropriations.

HF 2331 creates a program to repay student loans for Iowa-licensed attorneys who practice law in the state. To qualify, applicants must be graduates of the University of Iowa College of Law, be licensed to practice in Iowa, and agree to work in Iowa for the duration of the program while providing at least 50 hours yearly of free legal services for low-income clients. The program prioritits attorneys in rural areas (defined as counties under 26,000 population more than 20 miles from a city of 50,000+ people) and provides up to $10,000 annually per attorney, capped at six years or their total eligible student loan balance. The state fund for this program, administered by the College Student Aid Commission, can accept private and public funds and is limited to assisting no more than 110 attorneys annually.

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2728: A bill for an act relating to obstructing first responders, and providing penalties.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2308: A bill for an act relating to state participation in the federal tax credit program for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

HF 2308 would allow Iowa to join a federal tax credit program, enabling Iowa residents who donate to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) to claim a state tax credit. The bill requires the governor to elect participation in the federal tax credit (under IRS Section 25F) and mandates the departments of Revenue and Education to follow federal rules to administer the program starting tax years after January 1, 2027. This would let SGOs provide scholarships of up to $1,700 per year per student for eligible elementary and secondary school expenses, directly benefiting families using nonpublic schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2340: A bill for an act relating to agriculture, including by providing for the powers and duties of the department of agriculture and land stewardship, including the promotion and regulation of commodities and products; the regulation of the transportation of agricultural commodities; the use of agricultural land; and taxation, including property taxes, excise and sales taxes, and income taxes; making penalties applicable; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 2340 establishes the "Choose Iowa" promotional program to support Iowa agricultural products. It creates a school purchasing program where schools receive matching funds (1:1) to buy eligible Iowa-grown food products from farms or businesses enrolled in the program. It also creates a food bank purchasing program, reimbursing Iowa food banks and emergency feeding organizations at a 1:1 rate for purchasing qualifying products, with a $200,000 annual cap and a $50,000 per organization limit. The bill requires farms/businesses to be "Choose Iowa" members to participate, and the Department of Agriculture administers both programs with annual reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2441: A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.

HF 2441 modifies Iowa's Teach Iowa Scholar program by removing the requirement that applicants must rank in the top 25% of their teacher preparation program. Instead, it establishes new funding allocations starting July 1, 2026: 20% of funds must go to eligible classroom teachers providing special education instruction, and 50% must go to teachers employed in rural school districts (defined as districts with fewer than 1,000 students). The program continues to offer up to $4,000 annually (capped at $20,000 over five years) for teachers in STEM, ESL, special education, or hard-to-staff subjects. These changes directly affect teachers in rural areas and special education by altering how funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2714: A bill for an act relating to licensing of service companies, motor vehicle service contracts, and residential service contracts, and providing civil penalties.

HF 2714 requires service companies selling motor vehicle or residential service contracts in Iowa to obtain and maintain a state license. It directly affects companies offering these contracts - covering home maintenance (like HVAC or appliances) or vehicle protection plans - to consumers. Key provisions include mandatory licensing, reporting ownership changes or disciplinary actions within 30 days, and defining terms like "service contract holder" and "substitute part" (e.g., aftermarket car parts). The bill explicitly states these contracts are not insurance, avoiding overlap with insurance regulations. Companies must submit detailed applications, including biographical affidavits for executives and copies of contract forms, with a $500 license fee.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SF 2462: A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, state child care assistance for the child care workforce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2462 establishes a statewide Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system in Iowa to support families with children under 19. It creates district-level plans and advisory councils to coordinate evidence-based primary prevention strategies (like family support services), early intervention, and ongoing community resources focused on strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment. The bill includes funding for child care workforce assistance and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state plan through public collaboration. This system aims to improve child well-being by addressing root causes like poverty through coordinated, locally tailored services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2062: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

HF 2062 repeals a provision that allowed property owners to challenge proposed zoning changes by filing a written protest signed by owners of 20% of the affected area or within 200 feet of the property. Currently, such a protest would require a city council to approve the change with a 3/4 majority vote. This bill removes that requirement, meaning zoning changes would no longer need the higher vote threshold if a protest is filed. The change directly affects property owners in areas where zoning district modifications are proposed, eliminating their ability to block such changes through this specific process.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2032: A bill for an act establishing procedures for system enhancement of infrastructure, including for development of ratemaking principles permitted for recovery costs of certain investments in infrastructure by water and wastewater utilities.

HF 2032 allows Iowa water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for specific infrastructure upgrades through new "system enhancement charges" on customer bills. It directly affects investor-owned utilities regulated by the Iowa Utilities Commission, enabling them to recover expenses for projects like replacing aging systems, installing new infrastructure for safety/environmental protection, or complying with federal/state regulations. Utilities must first get commission approval for a multiyear plan detailing costs and benefits before implementing these charges, with the commission requiring the plan to include cost estimates, engineering reports, and evidence of compliance with environmental rules. The bill defines "system enhancement costs" to include capital expenses, operations, and a pretax return, but explicitly excludes fines or penalties.

Topics ✓ Environment