Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2233: A bill for an act relating to facial coverings worn by peace officers and providing penalties.

This Iowa bill prohibits peace officers (including state troopers, city/county police, and federal/state agency officers) from wearing opaque facial coverings like balaclavas or tactical masks during duty, except for clear face shields, medical masks, motorcycle helmets, or safety gear. Violating this would be a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $2,560 fine). Crucially, if an officer commits misconduct (e.g., false arrest) while wearing a prohibited covering, they lose legal immunity and could face $10,000+ in damages. The bill specifically defines "facial covering" to exclude items used for medical protection, safety, or operational needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2224: A bill for an act relating to property assessment standards and litigation.

HF 2224 updates Iowa's property assessment rules to align with industry standards for fairness. It requires county and city assessors to maintain a coefficient of dispersion (COD) below 15.99% and a price-related differential (PRD) between 0.98 and 1.03 for property classes, using data from comparable properties within the same class. The bill also defines "like property" for appeals and limits hiring special counsel in assessment litigation to cases involving business entities. These changes directly affect local assessors, property owners appealing valuations, and county/city legal departments handling tax disputes. The law aims to standardize assessment equity metrics while streamlining appeal processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2110: A bill for an act relating to the issuance of driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards, including physical forms of such identification and noncompliance with federal requirements.

HF 2110 requires Iowa's Department of Transportation to issue driver's licenses and nonoperator ID cards that do not comply with federal REAL ID standards upon applicant request. The bill prohibits the department from collecting or storing biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans), retaining supporting documents (such as birth certificates or utility bills), or sharing applicant information in federal databases. It mandates that applicants be informed about the option to obtain a noncompliant license and ensures that noncompliant IDs remain valid for state driving and identification purposes. This directly affects Iowa residents who choose not to obtain REAL ID-compliant identification.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2222: A bill for an act allowing the use of a pretrial risk assessment for certain bailable defendants.

HF 2222 allows Iowa courts to require a pretrial risk assessment for bailable defendants charged with offenses where their release might endanger others. The assessment, conducted by correctional services using a state-approved tool, must be considered by the court when setting release conditions. Courts must determine if sufficient conditions (like supervision or restrictions) can reduce risk to others before releasing the defendant. This applies specifically to defendants where the court identifies a potential safety risk upon release. The bill does not change sentencing or create new offenses, only modifies pretrial release considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2236: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the Iowa tuition grants program and including effective date provisions.

HF 2236 modifies Iowa's tuition grants program to expand eligibility for students at accredited private colleges and universities. It revises definitions to include "accredited private institutions" in key sections, ensuring these schools qualify for state financial aid programs like the Iowa Tuition Grant and teacher shortage loan programs. The bill also requires institutions to post required textbook lists online 14 days before each term and creates a new teacher shortage forgivable loan program for students in designated teacher shortage areas. These changes directly affect students attending private colleges, public institutions, and community colleges participating in Iowa's state aid programs.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2021: A bill for an act relating to ginseng harvesting privileges for disabled veterans.

This bill creates a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit for Iowa disabled veterans. It allows eligible veterans - defined as honorably discharged veterans with any service-connected disability rating (0% or higher) - to pay a one-time $7 fee for a permit valid for life, replacing annual permits. The permit authorizes ginseng harvesting under existing season, quantity, and reporting rules set by the Department of Natural Resources. All fees collected will fund the state fish and game protection program.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2234: A bill for an act requesting a legislative interim study committee on affordability.

HF 2234 requests the Iowa legislative council to create an interim study committee focused on affordability issues in transportation, housing, energy, healthcare, and food. The committee must study these areas during the 2026 legislative interim and submit its findings and recommendations to the Iowa General Assembly by December 31, 2026. This bill does not make new laws but sets up a formal process for examining cost-of-living challenges affecting Iowa residents. It directly involves the legislative council and future policymakers who will review the committee's report. The study aims to inform potential future legislative action on affordability.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2221: A bill for an act modifying eligibility and participation requirements for the state child care assistance program.

HF 2221 modifies Iowa's state child care assistance program by adjusting eligibility requirements and reimbursement rules. It sets income limits (capping at 160% of federal poverty level for basic care or 200% for special needs children), requires parents to work or train at least 32 hours weekly (28 for special needs), and prohibits changing reimbursement rates without new legislation. The bill also establishes a priority waiting list based on income and circumstances (e.g., families at or below 100% poverty level first), and requires providers to accept written agreements for families to pay additional fees beyond state reimbursement. This directly affects low-income families needing child care while working or training, and child care providers receiving state payments.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2239: A bill for an act relating to the organization of congressional district conventions.

HF 2239 requires Iowa political parties to hold congressional district conventions to elect delegates (who must be eligible voters and residents), adopt district platforms for state committee consideration, and establish district central committees starting in 2027. These committees, composed of county central committee chairs, must elect officers for two-year terms, create bylaws filed with the state election office, and prohibit proxies at conventions. The bill also mandates that conventions transact other business as required by law or party rules. This procedural legislation changes how parties organize at the district level for internal governance and platform development.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2238: A bill for an act providing for a study to determine the cost and feasibility of acquiring certain public utilities or their assets.

HF 2238 is a study bill requiring the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to examine the cost and feasibility of the state acquiring certain public utilities or their assets. It targets electric and natural gas utilities regulated under Iowa law that serve over 200,000 customers in Iowa and are headquartered outside the state. The study must assess acquisition costs, feasibility, and how to reorganize assets to maximize benefits for customers within the utility’s current service area. The department must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2026. This bill does not authorize acquisition but mandates a review process.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2237: A bill for an act relating to the discharge of toxic pollutants associated with coal ash into water sources.

HF 2237 prohibits coal-fired power plants and coal ash landfills in Iowa from discharging toxic pollutants (like mercury, arsenic, and cadmium) from specific wastewater streams into water sources. It directly affects existing coal power facilities operating before July 1, 2026, requiring them to comply by December 31, 2029, and new facilities must comply before starting operations. The bill mandates that facilities stop discharging flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate into waterways. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources must create rules to implement these requirements. The law aims to prevent avoidable water pollution linked to coal ash, protecting drinking water and public health.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2243: A bill for an act requiring the state board of regents to submit a report to the general assembly and the governor related to establishing a performance-based funding model for the institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents.

HF 2243 requires Iowa's State Board of Regents to submit a report by November 2026 to the governor and legislature on creating a performance-based funding model for the state's public universities. The report must detail how funding could be tied to specific student outcomes, including graduation rates, degrees in high-demand fields, post-graduation employment and income, and whether graduates remain in Iowa. This bill directly affects Iowa's public universities governed by the State Board of Regents. The model would use these five measurable factors to guide potential funding decisions, though the bill itself does not implement the funding changes - only mandates the report.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results