Iowa Bills

HF 190 requires school districts to administer the state's end-of-year student assessments to students attending online schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. This changes the responsibility for these tests from the schools themselves to the local school districts. The law, signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, ensures consistent assessment administration across all school types in the state. It directly affects students in those school programs by standardizing how their progress is measured.

HF 644, which passed the House unanimously (89-0) and was signed into law by the Governor on June 11, 2025, addresses the delegation of custodial rights and duties for children. The bill's title indicates it relates to how legal custody responsibilities can be formally assigned or transferred between parties, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the provided context. It directly affects parents, guardians, and child welfare systems by establishing a framework for delegating custody-related duties. As the context does not include the bill's full text or specific mechanisms, a more detailed summary of its concrete policy changes cannot be provided.

HF 783 establishes a conference realignment committee to manage changes in high school athletic conference groupings across the state. The bill directly affects school athletic organizations and state education agencies that sponsor or run interscholastic sports programs. Key provisions require the committee to develop and implement standards for realigning athletic conferences, ensuring balanced competition and equitable access for schools. This law, signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, creates a formal process for adjusting conference structures rather than leaving it to individual school decisions.

HF 969 modifies retirement benefits for public employees in Iowa who are diagnosed with cancer. It adjusts contribution requirements and benefit calculations specifically for members of certain public retirement systems (like state or municipal plans) who develop cancer. The bill establishes new rules for how retirement contributions are handled and benefits are calculated following a cancer diagnosis. It became law after being signed by the Governor on June 6, 2025, with fiscal note documentation confirming its implementation.

HF 639 amends Iowa's pipeline regulations to strengthen oversight of hazardous liquid pipeline projects. It requires all Iowa Utilities Commission members to attend all live testimony during hearings and mandates that pipeline companies hold informational meetings in affected counties at least 30 days before filing new pipeline petitions. The bill expands who can legally intervene in commission proceedings to include county/city officials and residents with a "minimally plausible interest," while adding sanctions for improper intervention. These changes directly affect pipeline companies, landowners whose property may be impacted by pipelines, and the Iowa Utilities Commission during permit reviews.

SF 383 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose drug pricing details and standardized fee structures to pharmacies and insurers. It limits certain PBM practices that affect prescription drug costs and establishes transparency rules for pharmacy services administrative organizations. The law directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and insurance companies managing prescription drug benefits. Signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025, it aims to increase transparency in drug pricing and pharmacy billing.

HF 437 establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. The bill creates a formal unit within the university dedicated to supporting academic freedom, free expression, and open inquiry on campus. It directly affects the University of Iowa by requiring the institution to develop and maintain this center as part of its operations. The law was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, making it effective immediately.

This bill aims to restructure and streamline the administrative functions of Iowa's workforce development system. It modifies the duties and oversight responsibilities of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the state Workforce Development Board, and local workforce development boards. Key provisions include eliminating many specific state-mandated duties for the state and local boards, instead requiring their functions and local plans to align with current federal workforce laws and regulations. The bill also clarifies collaborative responsibilities between DWD and the Department of Education regarding industry partnerships and reporting.

SF 460 regulates home inspection professionals by establishing who may perform inspections and requiring independent inspection reports to include specific details and remain unbiased. It directly affects licensed home inspectors and inspection companies, mandating standardized report requirements to ensure transparency for homebuyers and sellers. The bill also introduces penalties for violations of these rules, applying to both individuals and businesses that fail to comply with the new standards.

HF 879 strengthens penalties for intentionally damaging critical infrastructure, such as power grids, water systems, or transportation networks. It increases criminal penalties for sabotage acts that threaten public safety or disrupt essential services. The law directly affects individuals who commit such acts by imposing stricter fines and potential prison sentences. This bill, signed into law by the Governor on May 1, 2025, modifies existing statutes to apply enhanced penalties to these specific offenses.

The provided bill text for HF 889 is not available, making it impossible to create a detailed summary of its specific provisions. Based solely on its title, "A bill for an act relating to government employee paid leave," this legislation concerns policies around paid leave for individuals employed by the government. Without the bill's content, the exact changes to who is affected or what mechanisms are introduced cannot be determined.

This bill makes it illegal to use automated software (bots) to purchase event tickets online. It directly affects consumers who use such bots to buy tickets and ticket sellers who enable or facilitate automated purchases. Violators face civil penalties, meaning they could be fined for breaking the law. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and was signed into law by the Governor in June 2025.