This bill amends Iowa law concerning the sexual exploitation of a minor, specifically addressing the prosecution of offenses related to visual depictions of child sexual abuse. Currently, possessing multiple images of different minors is prosecuted as separate offenses, but possessing multiple images of the *same* minor is treated as a single offense. The bill changes this by stipulating that knowingly purchasing or possessing multiple visual depictions of the *same* minor engaged in prohibited sexual acts will now be prosecuted and punished as separate offenses for each distinct image. This means individuals could face separate felony charges for each distinct image of child sexual exploitation, even if all images depict the same minor.
This bill expands which grades are eligible for a year-round school calendar in Iowa. It authorizes public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the Department of Education for permission to implement a year-round calendar for students in grades nine through twelve. This extends an existing provision that currently only allows year-round calendars for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Before applying for authorization, school boards are required to hold a public hearing on any year-round calendar proposal.
This bill prohibits courts from ordering parents in divorce proceedings to pay a "postsecondary education subsidy" for their children. A postsecondary education subsidy refers to financial support for educational expenses for children aged 18-22 attending career training, college, university, or community college. This means courts can no longer include requirements for college or vocational school financial support in new or pending divorce orders. The bill applies to divorce orders entered or pending on or after July 1, 2025. However, it specifically states that existing orders established before July 1, 2025, that already include such subsidies cannot be modified based on this new law.
SF 604 modifies how units of cigarettes and tobacco products are measured for state regulation and taxation purposes. This bill directly affects businesses involved in the sale of these products and the government agencies responsible for their oversight and tax collection. It changes the specific criteria or definitions used to determine the volume of sales for these products.
The provided context does not include the full bill text for SF 106. Based solely on its title, "A bill for an act relating to the conveyance of firearms in or on certain vehicles," this legislation modifies the rules for transporting firearms within or on specific types of vehicles. Without the bill's content, the precise changes to how firearms can be carried or the specific vehicles and individuals affected cannot be detailed. The bill is slated to take effect on July 1, 2025.
HF 793 updates the state's requirements for firefighter training and certification. It directly affects firefighters and fire departments by establishing new standards they must meet to maintain their certification. The bill modifies existing training protocols and certification processes to align with current industry practices. Signed into law by the Governor on May 6, 2025, it represents a formal change to how firefighter qualifications are managed in the state.
This bill prohibits individuals from flying remotely piloted aircraft, or drones, over certain farm properties, directly affecting drone operators and farmers. It bans drones from flying within 400 feet of farm animals, farm equipment, or farm structures located on a "secure farmstead area" unless the drone operator owns or leases the property. This restriction applies to all drones, including those equipped with surveillance devices, and specifically excludes areas within city limits. Farmers can seek a court order to prevent individuals from repeatedly violating these drone flight rules over their property.
This bill allows certified emergency medical care providers (EMCPs) to provide immediate, life-stabilizing veterinary care to severely injured police service dogs while they are on duty. EMCPs can diagnose or treat these dogs, but only after all human patients at the scene have been treated, and they must not use equipment needed for humans or delay responding to human emergencies. Providers acting reasonably and in good faith are protected from civil liability for this care. However, police service dogs cannot be transported in vehicles designed for human emergency medical services.
This bill creates a new provision allowing resident disabled veterans to use their deer hunting license and tag during any established deer hunting season. The only requirement is that the hunting method for the chosen season (e.g., bow, firearm) must align with the method authorized by their license. This expands hunting season flexibility for veterans who have a service-connected disability, as verified by the department of veterans affairs. Such hunters must be able to display proof of their resident and disability status if requested by a peace officer, with penalties for non-compliance mirroring existing wildlife laws.
This bill clarifies the administrative process for approving payments during the construction of farm-to-market roads. It specifies that county boards of supervisors, county engineers, or the Department of Transportation (DOT) are authorized to approve both partial and final claims for work in progress. This change formalizes the payment approval authority for these entities, affecting contractors and those overseeing rural road development.
This bill revises the duties of the Director of the Department of Corrections and the Board of Corrections by reducing the Board's direct oversight. It replaces instances where the Director previously needed the Board's "approval" for various actions with a requirement for the Board's "advice and recommendations." These actions include preparing department budgets, adopting internal rules, establishing inmate furlough programs, appointing superintendents and district directors, and managing real estate. Additionally, the bill transfers the authority to approve out-of-state travel for department personnel from the Board to the Director, granting the Director greater autonomy in managing the department's operations.
This bill modifies Iowa law concerning closing costs for loans secured by land, such as mortgages, directly affecting both lenders and borrowers. It clarifies that certain state restrictions on fees and charges may not apply to consumer loans made by licensed mortgage bankers if the total points and fees charged to the borrower remain within specified federal limits. The bill also explicitly allows lenders to charge "discount points" that genuinely reduce the loan's interest rate. Additionally, it permits lenders to charge other "points" that are mutually agreed upon with the borrower to secure a particular interest rate.
