House File 1004 proposes to exempt the sales price of honeybees from Iowa's state sales and use tax. This means that individuals or businesses purchasing honeybees would no longer be subject to these taxes on their acquisition. The bill achieves this by adding honeybees to the list of items specifically excluded from sales tax under existing state law. Consequently, honeybees would also be exempt from the state's use tax.
House File 1051 authorizes cities, counties, and townships to establish self-supported tourism improvement districts. These districts allow local governments to levy special assessments on lodging businesses located within the district. The funds collected from these assessments are used to finance activities and improvements that directly benefit the assessed lodging businesses, such as tourism promotion, marketing, and economic development. Assessments can be structured in various ways, like a fixed amount or percentage of sales, and are intended to supplement existing tourism funding.
HF 167 modifies the definition of "grooming behavior" for licensed school employees. Currently, school districts and agencies must report employees who engage in grooming behavior, defined as actions to entice or entrap a student for a sex act. This bill changes that definition to "the process of building trust and emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student." This revised definition would be used when school authorities make mandatory reports to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE).
SF 315, known as the "Iowa Competitive Pharmacy Benefits Managers Marketplace Act," aims to reduce prescription drug costs for public employees in self-funded state health plans. The bill mandates that the state department procure pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) services through a "reverse auction" process. This online, competitive bidding system allows PBMs to offer progressively lower prices for their services. Additionally, the department must acquire a technology platform to conduct these auctions and perform detailed, line-by-line audits of PBM claims to ensure contract compliance. The first PBM contract awarded through this new system is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
SF 595 updates Iowa's construction regulations by requiring state building code proposals to include cost impact reports on housing affordability. It prevents counties and cities from imposing additional fees or licensing requirements on licensed contractors (like plumbers and HVAC specialists) for work within their licensed scope. The bill also limits local governments from enforcing stricter stormwater management rules at construction sites than those initially approved in subdivision plans. These changes directly affect contractors, local governments, and homeowners through potential impacts on construction costs and regulatory processes.
House File 384 amends the current law concerning a minor's ability to consent to medical care for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Under existing law, minors can consent to prevention, diagnosis, or treatment for STDs/STIs without parental consent. This bill creates an exception, stipulating that minors would no longer have the legal capacity to consent specifically to vaccinations for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Minors would still be able to consent to other forms of care, such as diagnosis or treatment, without requiring consent from a parent, guardian, or spouse.
SF 256 clarifies the process for permanently establishing land boundaries and corners that have been recognized and accepted by adjacent landowners for at least ten years, known as "boundaries by acquiescence." The bill specifies that these recognized boundaries are permanently established through a self-executing process. A key provision states that if properties with an established acquiesced boundary later come under common ownership, that boundary does not automatically terminate. However, adjoining parties can subsequently establish new permanent boundaries by recognizing and acquiescing to them for another ten-year period. This legislation directly affects landowners by providing clearer guidelines for resolving and maintaining property lines based on long-term agreement.
This bill (SF 594) requires Iowa's state fire marshal to study whether consolidating fire protection services into a countywide system would improve coverage and emergency response times. The study must analyze costs, current response times, staffing needs, equipment, communication systems, and compare Iowa's options with similar programs in other Midwest states. It will include input from fire chiefs' associations, city representatives (both large and small), county officials, and state legislators. The fire marshal must submit a report to the Iowa General Assembly by June 30, 2026. This bill does not implement consolidation but provides a factual basis for future decisions.
SF 137 modifies the training requirements for individuals applying to a short course law enforcement program who are sponsored by an agency but are not yet certified officers. Currently, these applicants must show proof of completing a two-year or four-year police science or criminal justice program from an accredited educational institution located in Iowa. This bill removes the requirement that the educational institution must be located within Iowa. Applicants would still need to have completed such a program from an accredited institution approved by the academy, regardless of its state location.
Senate File 507 proposes to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within county and city governments in Iowa. The bill would prevent counties and cities from establishing DEI offices or hiring staff to perform DEI-related duties. It also prohibits local governments from requiring DEI statements or giving preferential consideration based on them. The bill defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion" broadly, including efforts to influence composition or promote differential treatment based on characteristics like race, sex, or gender identity, and restricts the promotion of certain related concepts. However, it explicitly allows for legal compliance activities related to federal anti-discrimination laws.
SF 514 modifies temporary child custody orders during dissolution proceedings, directly affecting divorcing parents and their children. The bill mandates that courts initially order temporary joint physical care of a child to both parents while the original custody case is pending. This temporary joint physical care must be ordered unless there is a rebuttable presumption against awarding physical care to one of the parties. If the court determines that joint physical care is inappropriate, it must provide specific reasons for its decision.
SF 180 establishes an individual's right to refuse certain medical services for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. This right applies to medical services declared a federal countermeasure or given emergency use authorization by the FDA. The bill prohibits businesses, employers, healthcare providers, and government entities from denying employment or services, segregating, penalizing, or discriminating against individuals who refuse such services. Individuals negatively affected by a violation can bring a civil action for injunctive relief, declaratory judgment, and damages, including attorney fees.
