HF 2434 requires insurance companies in Iowa to cover health care services referred by an out-of-network primary care provider (PCP) without charging higher out-of-pocket costs than for in-network referrals. It directly affects patients who rely on PCPs not in their insurance network, ensuring they face the same deductible, copay, or coinsurance as if the PCP were in-network. The law prohibits insurers from denying coverage solely based on the PCP’s network status and allows them to verify if the patient has a direct primary care agreement with that PCP. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to referrals made after that date.
HF 2303 requires promoters of professional or amateur kickboxing matches (defined as public events with admission fees, donations, or merchandise sales) to obtain a license from Iowa's state commissioner of athletics. It mandates that promoters report ticket sales and gross receipts within 20 days after an event and pay a 5% tax on those receipts (after deducting state sales tax). The bill applies the same licensing, reporting, and tax rules to kickboxing that currently govern mixed martial arts events under existing Iowa law. This formalizes kickboxing regulation under the commissioner’s authority, aligning it with current administrative practices for similar combat sports.
This bill establishes the Iowa-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Iowa and Ireland. The commission, composed of 6 appointed members (including state legislators with Irish trade expertise, private sector representatives, and industry leaders), will promote bilateral trade, recommend joint policy actions, and encourage business/academic exchanges. It must meet quarterly, submit annual reports to the governor and legislature, and operate without member compensation. The commission directly affects Iowa businesses seeking Irish trade opportunities and Irish entities interested in Iowa partnerships.
HF 2583 requires owners of high-voltage electric transmission lines (200kV+ approved after July 2022) to create and submit detailed emergency response plans to the Iowa Utilities Commission by December 2026, with annual updates. The plans must include contact information for emergency coordinators, procedures for notifying agencies during outages, strategies for restoring power to critical facilities like hospitals, and mutual aid arrangements. Owners must also report projected outages exceeding six hours and coordinate with state emergency agencies during declared disasters. Violations of these requirements could result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day. This bill directly affects utility companies operating major power infrastructure in Iowa.
HF 2227 requires electric transmission owners to restore agricultural lands to their pre-construction condition after building high-voltage transmission lines (200 kV or more) approved on or after July 1, 2022. Specific requirements include repairing damaged underground drain tiles to original specifications, removing non-native rocks larger than three inches, deep tilling soil to alleviate compaction (18 inches for crop land, 12 inches for other agricultural land), and restoring soil conservation features and vegetation. The Utilities Commission enforces these rules through inspections, can order corrective actions for violations, and requires transmission owners to provide landowners with a dedicated contact point for inquiries. This law directly affects landowners with agricultural properties in transmission line easements and transmission owners constructing qualifying lines.
HF 2202 amends Iowa's controlled substances schedule to add 12 specific synthetic drugs, including various fentanyl analogs (like "Butonitazene" and "Flunitazene") and other novel compounds. The bill directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or manufacturing these newly listed substances within Iowa. Violations involving these drugs would trigger existing penalties: a Class B felony (up to 25 years in prison and $5,000-$100,000 fine), a Class C felony (up to 10 years and $1,000-$50,000), or an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill aligns Iowa's schedule with federal designations from Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
HF 2253 amends Iowa's legal code to change terminology from "pregnant person" to "pregnant female" in sections related to feticide, unlawful termination, and medical procedures. The bill specifically updates references in statutes (such as Sections 707.7, 707.8, and 708.2) to use "pregnant female" instead of "pregnant person," without altering existing penalties or medical exceptions. This change applies only to legal terminology in the code and does not modify abortion access, medical standards, or criminal penalties. The bill was introduced on January 30, 2026, and focuses solely on standardizing language in state law.
HF 863 removes a prohibition on non-emergency vessels displaying solid blue lights while operating on Iowa waters under the Natural Resource Commission's jurisdiction. Current law already banned both solid and flashing blue lights (except for authorized emergency vessels), with a $35 fine for violations. This bill specifically lifts the ban on solid blue lights but maintains the prohibition on flashing blue lights. The change directly affects all vessel operators on these waters, allowing solid blue lights without requiring emergency status.
SF 2190 changes Iowa's official title for licensed healthcare providers from "physician assistant" to "physician associate" throughout state law and administrative documents. It requires all references in the Iowa Code, regulations, and agency forms to be updated to "physician associate" by January 1, 2027, while keeping the terms synonymous with no changes to practice rights or scope. During a transition period, providers may use either title, and entities like hospitals, insurers, and government agencies cannot alter contracts or employment due to the title change. This bill is purely procedural, affecting only the terminology used in official records without altering existing laws governing physician assistants' roles.
This bill (SF 2215) exempts contingent deferred annuities from certain standard nonforfeiture requirements under Iowa's insurance law, while allowing the state insurance commissioner to establish nonforfeiture benefits for these products. It directly affects policyholders who purchase contingent deferred annuities by changing which protections apply to their contracts. The key mechanism is removing the automatic application of subsections 2-7 of section 508.38 to these annuities, but giving the commissioner authority to create rules ensuring benefits are equitable, appropriate for the risks, and aligned with the law's intent. This creates a tailored regulatory approach for contingent deferred annuities instead of applying the same rules as other annuity types.
HF 2497 establishes rules for peer-to-peer car sharing programs in Iowa, where individuals rent their personal vehicles through a platform (not traditional rental companies) to other drivers. The bill requires programs to ensure minimum liability insurance coverage during sharing periods, covering third-party injury or property damage claims up to state-mandated limits. It mandates that insurance must apply to vehicle use through the program, and programs must assume primary liability for claims if disputes arise about vehicle control or return. This directly affects the platforms operating these services, vehicle owners participating in the programs, and drivers using shared vehicles.
HF 2564 allows pregnant minors in Iowa to legally consent to prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal medical care from specific healthcare providers (including physicians, nurse practitioners, and emergency providers) if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not reasonably available. This directly affects pregnant minors who lack immediate adult support for their medical needs. The bill ensures minors can authorize care without parental involvement in these specific circumstances, while maintaining that healthcare providers must still obtain the minor’s informed consent. It does not change existing requirements for providers to secure consent directly from the minor patient.
