Iowa Bills

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 943: A bill for an act relating to the exercise of eminent domain for the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 943 modifies the exercise of eminent domain for the construction of hazardous liquid pipelines, specifically those transporting liquefied carbon dioxide. The bill stipulates that such pipelines are not considered a "public use" for the condemnation of agricultural land by a utility unless the landowner consents. This alters current law, which generally allows utilities to use eminent domain on agricultural land for private development without requiring landowner consent. The Act takes effect upon enactment and applies to condemnation proceedings filed on or after that date.

signed · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 22: A bill for an act relating to the use of an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode while driving, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable. Effective date: 07/01/2025.

SF 22 regulates how drivers can use electronic devices while operating a vehicle. It specifically addresses the use of these devices in a voice-activated or hands-free mode. The bill establishes penalties for any violations of these new rules. These provisions and penalties are set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 792: A bill for an act establishing a cause of action for murder in the first degree by causing the death of another by delivering, dispensing, or providing fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance, and making penalties applicable.

HF 792 establishes a new cause of action for first-degree murder related to fentanyl. The bill states that a person commits first-degree murder if they unlawfully deliver, dispense, or provide fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance that proximately causes another person's death through injection, inhalation, absorption, or ingestion. It clarifies that it is not a defense if the deceased person contributed to their own death by willingly taking the substance. This offense is classified as a Class "A" felony, punishable by life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HR 18: A resolution honoring and congratulating the Grand View University wrestling team on its historic National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics wrestling national championship win.

House Resolution 18 is a commemorative resolution that honors and congratulates the Grand View University wrestling team for winning its 13th National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship. It recognizes the team's historic achievement, including individual national champions and All-American honors, and acknowledges Coach Nick Mitchell.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 926: A bill for an act relating to the expungement of certain criminal history records of victims of human trafficking, and including penalties.

House File 926 creates a process for victims of human trafficking to petition the court for expungement of certain criminal history records. This allows records for offenses committed while they were victims to be removed from public access. Petitioners must submit a sworn statement, and official documentation of their victim status can be provided, though it's not strictly required. The bill specifies that no fees are charged for filing these petitions, and expunged records become confidential, though they remain accessible to criminal justice agencies or by court order. However, certain serious offenses, such as homicide or sexual abuse, are not eligible for expungement under this bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 871: A bill for an act relating to the disposition of firearms and ammunition deposited with the department of public safety through seizure or forfeiture proceedings.

HF 871 modifies how the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) disposes of firearms and ammunition obtained through seizure or forfeiture. The bill primarily requires the DPS to sell legal firearms and ammunition at public auction. However, the DPS may retain items for law enforcement use, testing, or its weapons archive, or exchange them with other agencies under specific circumstances. Destruction of legal firearms and ammunition is generally limited to items that do not sell at auction or ammunition determined to be damaged or unsafe.

died · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 520: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to community college and department of education reporting requirements, employees of the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program or the Iowa school for the deaf, and employment contracts between community colleges and community college instructors.

SF 520 modifies several education-related provisions concerning community colleges, the Department of Education, and employees of specific educational programs. The bill requires community colleges to submit detailed financial and student outcome data directly to the Department of Education, which will then compile an annual "condition of community colleges" report for the General Assembly. It also applies certain teacher discharge procedures to all employees responsible for child care, instruction, or supervision at the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Program and the Iowa School for the Deaf, and sets their compensation and benefits. Finally, the bill clarifies that for employment contract purposes, "teacher" status for community colleges applies primarily to instructors whose workload is more than half credit-hour instruction, excluding adjunct, continuing education, and noncredit instructors.

passed · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 945: A bill for an act providing for a hearing to determine immunity from criminal or civil liability following a use of reasonable force in defense of one’s self, others, or property.

House File 945 establishes a new process for individuals to claim immunity from criminal or civil liability if they use reasonable force to defend themselves, others, or their property. In criminal cases, a defendant can file a pretrial motion for immunity, leading to a hearing where the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the immunity claim is not valid. If the state fails to overcome the immunity claim, the criminal case is dismissed; otherwise, it proceeds to trial. The bill also allows this immunity to be used as an affirmative defense in civil lawsuits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 96: A bill for an act relating to the abatement of property taxes owed on property owned by certain volunteer emergency services providers and including effective date and applicability provisions.

SF 96 allows eligible volunteer emergency services providers to request a reduction in property taxes and special assessments on their homesteads. To qualify, a volunteer must have served for at least five years, earn under $5,000 annually from their volunteer service, be in good standing, and reside in the service area. Volunteers submit a petition to their county board of supervisors, which reviews the request and can approve an abatement unless a local taxing authority objects. The abatement can be up to 10% of applicable taxes and special assessments, not exceeding $500 per year. For volunteers with ten or more years of service, this benefit can continue for life under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 475: A bill for an act imposing a tax on certain products containing nicotine or nonnicotine substances, creating the Iowa cancer research fund, and including effective date provisions.

This bill imposes new taxes on specific nicotine and non-nicotine products sold in Iowa. It establishes a tax of $1.15 per vapor cartridge and 6.8 cents per nicotine pouch. Additionally, a 15% tax is placed on the retail sales price of vapor products requiring e-liquids and e-liquids sold separately. The revenue generated from these new taxes will be directed to a newly created Iowa cancer research fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, to support cancer research within the state. Disbursements from this fund are set to begin on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 151: A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle special registration plate decals created by a nonprofit veterans’ organization or associated with military service, and providing fees.

This bill updates Iowa law regarding special vehicle registration for military service awards and veterans' organizations. It shifts the recognition of military awards, such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, from dedicated special license plates to specialized decals that can be affixed to existing special plates, with a ten-dollar fee for a pair of decals. The legislation also expands the types of nonprofit veterans' organizations eligible to create and issue their own vehicle registration plate decals, specifically including those exempt under federal tax code 501(c)(19). The Department of Transportation will provide options for applicants who previously ordered the older special plates.

Topics ✓ Veterans

died · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SF 554: A bill for an act relating to the delegation of custodial rights and duties with respect to a child.

SF 554 allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to delegate certain custodial rights and duties to licensed foster care providers when HHS has legal custody of a child. These delegated responsibilities can include providing basic needs and consenting to emergency medical care. The bill clarifies that HHS can consent to routine medical care (excluding vaccinations) and individualized education programs for children, even if parents retain some residual rights. HHS is required to notify both the licensed provider and the child's parents or guardians if these specific rights for medical care or individualized education program participation are delegated. Additionally, HHS must notify the Department of Education when consent for an individualized education program is delegated to a licensee.

Bill results