Iowa Bills

SF 413 amends Iowa law governing state bank boards of directors. It requires that at least three board members be Iowa residents (previously only required a majority of residents), and mandates that boards hold at least one regular meeting in each calendar quarter while maintaining a minimum of nine annual meetings. The bill directly affects state bank boards by changing their membership residency rules and meeting schedule requirements. These are procedural changes to board governance, not substantive banking policy. The bill passed the Iowa Senate unanimously on March 10, 2025.

SF 490 revises the definitions for "low-speed electric bicycle" and "pedestrian conveyance" by adjusting the maximum power output allowed for their electric motors. Currently, these devices must have an electric motor that produces *less than* 750 watts. The bill changes this wording to *not more than* 750 watts, allowing devices that produce exactly 750 watts to still be classified under these categories. This change directly affects individuals who own or use these electric devices, as exceeding the 750-watt limit would subject them to motor vehicle regulations.

This bill allows county recorders in Iowa to charge a convenience fee of up to ten dollars when processing vehicle registrations for owners who do not live in the county. The fee applies specifically to snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and boats and is intended to cover the extra administrative work involved in handling applications from non-residents. To avoid this fee, non-resident applicants can choose to pay property taxes to the county and provide proof of payment. The legislation also clarifies existing rules regarding registration fees, writing fees, and the requirement to show proof of tax payment or ownership for these vehicles.

This bill increases the state funding limit for nonpublic school pupil transportation claims from approximately $8.997 million to $9.184 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The additional funds are specifically designated to reimburse claims that were not previously paid because they were submitted late due to administrative errors. It directs the Iowa Department of Education to use these new moneys to process those delayed reimbursements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

This bill clarifies which organizations qualify for property tax exemptions by explicitly defining "religious institutions or societies." It ensures that churches, associations of churches, and religious nonprofit corporations organized for primary religious purposes are included, even if they are not affiliated with a specific house of worship. The changes will take effect for tax assessments starting on or after January 1, 2027.

This bill clarifies which organizations qualify as religious institutions for property tax exemption purposes in Iowa. It expands the definition to include churches, associations of churches, and religious nonprofit corporations that operate primarily for religious reasons, even if they are not affiliated with a specific church. The changes will take effect for tax assessments starting on or after January 1, 2027.

This Iowa bill requires the secretary of state to establish an online portal for reducing bureaucratic red tape. The website will allow members of the public to request information about state executive branch regulatory restrictions and communicate directly with the secretary regarding those rules. Additionally, the secretary of state must submit an annual report to the general assembly detailing the requests and communications received through the site.

This Iowa bill mandates that employers providing health insurance for fire fighters and peace officers must cover the full cost of health insurance for 24 months for the surviving spouses and children of those killed in the line of duty. It also requires these same employers to pay for 24 months of health coverage for active fire fighters and peace officers who suffer work-related physical disabilities or injuries. Under the new rules, employers are no longer allowed to pass any portion of these insurance premiums to the surviving families or injured workers.

This bill allows specific Iowa school districts to raise their cash reserve property taxes for the 2026-2027 budget year if their taxable value dropped by at least $100 million due to a single property correction. To qualify, these districts must offset the additional cash reserve tax by reducing other levies, such as the district management tax, ensuring the total property tax amount does not exceed legal limits. The legislation requires districts to notify the Department of Management, which will then adjust the tax rates to implement these changes. It applies only to districts meeting the specific financial criteria and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

HSB 782 allocates state funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, Technology Reinvestment Fund, and Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Fund to various agencies for specific projects in fiscal years 2026-2027. The bill directs money to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for water quality demonstration projects on agricultural land, requiring a cost-share arrangement where the state covers up to 50% of practice costs. Additional appropriations support facility repairs for the Department for the Blind, air conditioning installation at correctional facilities, and grants to nonprofit organizations for infrastructure maintenance in smaller cities. The legislation also provides funding for updating agricultural fertilizer management models and deposits money into tourism and community attraction funds.

HF 2310 establishes a permanent state funding stream for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. It appropriates $1 per Iowa resident annually (based on U.S. Census population estimates), capped at $3 million per fiscal year starting July 2026, directly from the state general fund. The funds must be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research activities - including lab work and clinical trials - at the University of Iowa, with strict prohibitions against covering administrative costs or unrelated projects. The State Board of Regents is required to submit an annual report detailing how the funds were spent to the governor and legislature by October 1. This bill directly affects the University of Iowa's cancer research programs and all Iowa residents through the per-resident funding mechanism.

HF 2293 sets a $5 fee for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for residents who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were disabled during service (as defined by 38 U.S.C. ch. 11). The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue these licenses upon payment of the $5 fee plus any processing fee, and mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify applicants' military disability status. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking permanent hunting rights for fur harvesting. The change standardizes the fee, which was previously set by department rule, and streamlines the application process through VA verification.