HF 882 creates a state fund managed by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants for constructing highway overpasses and underpasses across railway tracks. The fund, financed by state appropriations, will directly assist cities and counties in covering construction costs for these safety improvements, which currently require local governments to pay half of maintenance costs without similar construction support for county roads. Key provisions include prohibiting fund money from reverting at year-end and directing the DOT to distribute grants based on need. This bill addresses a gap where cities have limited support for overpass construction while counties lack comparable assistance for secondary roads.
SF 492 modifies Iowa law to regulate how licensed vehicle recyclers can acquire older scrap vehicles. It allows recyclers to buy vehicles 12+ model years old for under $1,000 without a title, but requires them to verify via state records that no lienholder claims the vehicle. Recyclers are exempt from this verification if buying from a scrap metal dealer defined in Iowa law. Violating this requirement would be a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 fine. The bill directly affects vehicle recyclers and scrap metal dealers operating in Iowa.
HF 705 establishes a grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund a nonprofit organization operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. To qualify, the nonprofit must be Iowa-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as its main purpose. The funded organization must provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural Iowans, and underserved groups - and offer trainings for medical professionals, law enforcement, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. It must also submit annual reports to the attorney general detailing services and trainings delivered.
SF 176 modifies the rules for students who open enroll in a school district to receive educational instruction primarily over the internet. It specifies that these pupils may participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by their district of residence only if the online school district they attend does not sponsor such activities. Pupils are generally limited to participating in no more than two activities per school year, unless their resident district approves additional participation. They must also comply with the resident district's eligibility and conduct requirements for these activities.
This bill modifies the definition of "grooming behavior" for which licensed school employees must be reported to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). Currently, "grooming behavior" is defined as actions to entice a student with the intent to engage in a sex act. This bill expands the definition to a "pattern of behavior" intended to entice or entrap a student. The updated definition clarifies that the intent is to "take advantage of such student for the benefit of the individual," which includes engaging in a sex act, but is not limited to it. School administrators remain responsible for reporting disciplinary actions related to this behavior.
This bill creates a grant program within the Iowa Department of Justice to fund a nonprofit organization that operates sexual assault forensic examination centers. To qualify, the selected nonprofit must be independently incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, and focus primarily on serving survivors through medical forensic services and related training. Once contracted, the organization is required to provide care to underserved populations, facilitate training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, and submit annual reports detailing service statistics and identified barriers. The legislation also allows the funded nonprofit to seek additional funding from other sources while maintaining its primary focus on survivor support.
This bill grants law enforcement officers the right to appeal or intervene in decisions by prosecuting agencies to place them on a Brady-Giglio list, which restricts their ability to testify in cases involving evidence that could exonerate the accused. It establishes a process where a district court reviews these decisions behind closed doors, examining confidential evidence to determine if the officer should remain on the list. If the court rules in favor of the officer, it can remove them from the list and order the state or local government to pay for the officer's legal fees and related costs. The law applies immediately and covers officers placed on the list since July 1, 2021, regardless of when the bill is enacted.
This bill establishes a Bill of Rights for law enforcement and public safety personnel in Iowa to protect their rights during internal investigations. It requires agencies to provide officers with written summaries of complaints, access to relevant evidence like recordings and prior statements, and audio recordings of interviews before questioning them. The legislation also mandates that answers given during these interviews cannot be used against the officer in criminal proceedings. These provisions aim to ensure fair treatment and transparency when officers face allegations that could lead to disciplinary action.
This bill modifies Iowa's rural veterinarian loan repayment program to allow recipients to exclude the value of loan payments from their taxable income. It applies to veterinarians who receive financial assistance to work for four years in designated rural or shortage areas. Under the new rules, eligible individuals can subtract up to $15,000 per year, or a total of $60,000, from their state tax return, provided the amount does not exceed their outstanding loan balance. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that recipients may transfer their service obligation to a new practice within the same rural area with commission approval.
This bill authorizes the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to license entities to offer advance deposit wagering, a system where users fund an account to place bets on horse races. It specifically requires that any electronic or phone-based bets placed within five miles of a licensed racetrack must have an agreement with that track's operator. Additionally, the law designates fifty percent of the net revenue from these wagers to horse purses and the remaining fifty percent to the Polk County racetrack licensee. The legislation applies to operators and the specific horse racing facility in Polk County that meets existing compliance standards.
This bill expands an existing Iowa state tax credit to include volunteer ambulance drivers, who were previously excluded from the benefit available to certified first responders. By amending the definition of "emergency medical services personnel," the legislation allows these volunteer drivers to claim a $250 tax credit for their services. The change applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring that eligible individuals can claim the credit for past years.
This bill establishes ongoing state funding for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the state will allocate one dollar per resident annually to the State Board of Regents, with a maximum cap of three million dollars per year. The funds are restricted specifically to laboratory research and clinical trials, prohibiting their use for administrative overhead or unrelated activities. Additionally, the State Board of Regents must submit an annual report to the governor and the General Assembly detailing how the money was spent.
