This bill updates Iowa's administrative rules by removing outdated provisions related to agency procedures and replacing them with new uniform rules that will take effect on July 1, 2026. It directly affects state agencies by rescinding over 100 existing administrative rules that previously covered topics like rulemaking processes, petitions, and contested cases, while ensuring those old rules remain in effect for any legal proceedings started before the new date. The legislation also allows agencies to create emergency rules if they need to comply with legal obligations or determine a rule is necessary, without requiring a regulatory analysis, though this emergency rule authority ends on July 1, 2026.
HF 2357 is a statutory cleanup bill that updates Iowa's legal code to correct outdated phrasing, grammar, inconsistencies, and redundancies across multiple sections. It directly affects all state laws referenced in the amended code sections, including definitions of terms like "gender" (clarifying it does not equate to gender identity), requirements for collecting vital statistics by gender, population data standards, opioid crisis funding allocation, and programs promoting historic landmarks and arts funding. Key provisions include amending Section 4.1A to distinguish "gender" from "sex" in legal contexts, updating budget preparation rules in Section 8.3, and revising how population data is certified under Section 9F.6. The bill makes no new policy changes but ensures existing laws are clear, consistent, and reflect current practices. It passed unanimously in the Iowa House on March 2, 2026.
This bill (HF 2345) modifies Iowa's public employees' retirement system (IPERS) by allowing IPERS to share a member or beneficiary's legal name with the state treasurer to help locate them. It changes the requirement for IPERS to provide members with annual statements of retirement credits to quarterly statements covering the prior four months. The bill also adds a new payment option for retirees: receiving monthly retirement payments via a reloadable payment card without an administrative fee, alongside existing electronic deposits or paper warrants (which incur fees). These changes directly affect current and future IPERS members and retirees.
HF 2522 removes specific requirements for public officer insurance policies in Iowa that currently mandate the state be the beneficiary and the policy cover injuries to corporations or individuals. The bill eliminates provisions in Code section 64.3(4) that previously required insurance policies (used instead of bonds) to name the state as beneficiary and serve the "use and benefit" of injured parties. This change directly affects Iowa public officers who obtain insurance policies in lieu of surety bonds. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, streamlining the insurance policy requirements without altering the underlying purpose of protecting the public.
HF 2534 adds shellfish to Iowa's definition of "animal" under animal feeding operation (AFO) regulations. It establishes weight-based calculation rules: shellfish weighing 25 grams or more equal 0.001 animal units each, while smaller shellfish equal 0.00006 animal units each. Shellfish confinement operations can now choose to follow general water quality permitting instead of standard AFO requirements. This directly affects shellfish farmers by integrating them into the state's existing AFO regulatory framework.
HF 2643 requires retail gasoline and diesel dealers in Iowa to file a report on total fuel gallonage sold or dispensed by the end of their tax year to maintain eligibility for specific tax credits. This affects dealers seeking credits under sections 422.11O (E-85 promotion), 422.11P (biodiesel), or 422.11Y (E-15 plus). Failure to file the required report by the deadline makes dealers ineligible for these credits for that tax year and all future years until the report is submitted. Dealers who miss the filing deadline face a potential $100 penalty per occurrence in addition to losing credit eligibility. The report is used to calculate excise taxes on ethanol-blended fuels like E-15 and biodiesel blends.
HF 2619 creates Iowa's "Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act," allowing individuals to resolve certain family disputes through binding arbitration instead of court. It applies to issues like child support and custody agreements (with specific requirements), but explicitly excludes divorce, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and child dependency determinations. The bill requires written arbitration agreements signed by both parties, sets qualifications for arbitrators (including domestic violence training), and allows courts to oversee or halt proceedings if agreements are invalid or disputes fall outside the act's scope. This provides an alternative process for resolving family law conflicts while maintaining court oversight for major issues.
HF 2660 increases the value limit for small estates handled through affidavits from $50,000 to $100,000, allowing heirs to claim personal property without court supervision if the estate contains no real property (and the 40-day waiting period remains). It also requires child support services to create a form enabling heirs to claim undistributed child support payments owed to the decedent. This bill directly affects Iowa residents inheriting small estates and those with pending child support payments held by state agencies. The changes streamline access to assets while maintaining the requirement that estates consist solely of personal property.
HF 2697 allows courts in Iowa to order defendants to pay monetary compensation to victims as part of dismissing criminal charges or ordinance violations, with the consent of both the defendant and the prosecutor. This applies to "category B" restitution, which includes court costs, and directly affects defendants facing prosecution, victims seeking compensation, and prosecutors negotiating case resolutions. The bill changes existing law by giving courts this specific authority during dismissal agreements, rather than requiring full conviction. It does not alter criminal penalties but provides an alternative path for victims to receive financial restitution.
HF 2680 simplifies certification for medication aides working in Iowa nursing homes, residential care facilities, and specialized care centers. The bill requires Iowa's Department of Inspections to create a free online registry where medication aides can submit proof of passing exams, eliminating fees for accessing or submitting certification records. It also allows aides certified in other states to become certified in Iowa without retaking nurse aide exams or meeting additional employment requirements. The bill rescinds outdated administrative rules about medication aide training and mandates new rules to standardize certification across all relevant facilities.
HF 2500 prohibits state agencies in Iowa from including 19 specific contract terms in procurement agreements, such as provisions requiring the state to pay vendor liabilities, hiding payment terms, imposing foreign law, or waiving jury trials. It mandates that all state agency contracts must be governed by Iowa law and litigated in Iowa courts, while allowing limited waivers if a necessary service cannot be obtained otherwise. The bill applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, and affects all state agencies purchasing goods or services under Iowa’s procurement rules. It directly protects state agencies from unfavorable contractual terms that could impose financial risk or limit legal recourse.
HF 2296 prohibits counties and cities in Iowa from issuing local identification cards to residents. The bill allows exceptions: counties may still issue driver’s licenses, non-driver ID cards, and disability ID devices under Chapter 321M, and both counties and cities may issue ID cards to employees or elected officials for work-related purposes. It directly affects residents seeking local IDs but does not impact state-issued driver’s licenses or official government-issued credentials for staff. The law aims to standardize identification by limiting local issuance to specific, defined circumstances.
