This bill establishes a regulatory and tax framework for event-driven contracts traded on digital markets within Iowa. It requires any company operating such markets in the state to obtain a permit from the Department of Revenue, with an initial fee of $20 million and annual renewal fees of $100,000. The law imposes a 20% tax on adjusted revenues from these contracts, which are defined as financial derivatives with fixed payouts based on specific outcomes like sports events, elections, or economic indicators. Money earned by traders from these contracts is treated as Iowa earned income subject to state and federal income tax withholding. All tax revenues collected under this program go to the state's general fund.
SF 2221 requires Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners to create new teaching certifications (endorsements) for high-need subjects: fine arts, mathematics, and science. These new endorsements would allow teachers to instruct in these specific areas, but applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to qualify. The requirement to hold a bachelor's degree and the entire new endorsement system will expire on July 1, 2030. This bill directly affects teachers seeking certification in these subjects and school districts needing qualified staff.
HF 2326 amends Iowa's debt management laws to change how fees are charged and funds are handled. It requires debt management licensees to maintain separate trust accounts for debtor payments (Section 1) and allows licensees to receive third-party payments (Section 3), removing a prior restriction. The bill establishes that licensees may only charge fees after successfully renegotiating, resolving, or reducing at least one debt, with the fee proportional to the debt amount resolved (Section 4). This directly affects debt management licensees and debtors by altering fee structures and fund handling requirements, while exempting licensed services from credit services organization laws (Section 6).
HF 2580 sets specific setback requirements for renewable energy facilities (wind, solar, and battery storage) in Iowa, effective January 1, 2026. It prohibits local governments from imposing setback distances greater than defined limits: wind facilities must be 2x their height from homes/community buildings, solar facilities must be at least 50-100 feet from property lines or homes, and battery storage must be 50-100 feet from structures. The bill also restricts local authorities from enforcing stricter noise (max 47 decibels) or shadow flicker rules than specified. This directly affects developers of renewable projects, local zoning decisions, and property owners near proposed facilities.
HF 2133 designates kratom (including all parts of the Mitragyna speciosa plant and its derivatives like mitragynine) as a hallucinogenic Schedule I controlled substance in Iowa. This bill directly affects anyone possessing kratom, imposing escalating penalties: a first offense is a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and up to $2,560 fine), subsequent offenses become aggravated misdemeanors (up to 2 years jail, up to $8,540 fine), and a third conviction is a class D felony (up to 5 years jail, up to $10,245 fine). The law creates new criminal penalties for possession without specifying medical or personal use exceptions. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2026, and remains pending.
HF 1031 updates regulations for county recorder fees and land record information systems. The bill increases the standard recording fee for documents from five to ten dollars per page, with a new maximum fee of $250 for documents 25 pages or longer. It also allocates two dollars from each recording fee to a county recorder's technology advancement fund, which can be used for improving equipment, digitizing records, and technology training. Additionally, the bill establishes new definitions for electronic land record systems and mandates a periodic request for proposals process for the statewide land record search website platform. These changes primarily affect county recorders and individuals or entities filing land records.
This bill prohibits the organization and hosting of warrant resolution clinics, which are defined as prearranged events designed to help people with outstanding arrest warrants resolve them without immediate arrest or custodial processing. It restricts all entities, including law enforcement agencies and nonprofits, from sponsoring or funding these events and mandates that individuals with warrants must resolve them through standard judicial procedures or by surrendering to peace officers. The legislation includes strict penalties for violations, such as misdemeanors for public officials and civil fines for private individuals, while also banning the use of public funds or facilities for these prohibited activities. Additionally, the bill prevents counties involved in such clinics from receiving court debt funds and supersedes any local rules that might allow these events.
HF 2517 requires public building custodians and boards of public officers in Iowa to fly U.S. and Iowa state flags at half-staff whenever the governor issues a proclamation directing this. The bill directly affects those responsible for managing public buildings, such as courthouses or government offices. It adds enforcement by allowing anyone to report violations to the attorney general, who can then seek court orders to ensure compliance with the governor's half-staff directives.
This resolution honors Senator Cherielynn Westrich for her service in the Iowa Senate. It recognizes her legislative work, committee memberships, and community involvement during her tenure. The Senate formally acknowledges her contributions and wishes her well for the future.
This resolution formally honors Senator Ken Rozenboom for his years of service in the Iowa Senate and wishes him a happy retirement. It recognizes his extensive background in agriculture and his long history of community involvement through various local boards and organizations. The document highlights his legislative work on issues such as tax reduction, water quality, and education, as well as his leadership roles on multiple Senate committees. By adopting this measure, the Senate acknowledges his contributions to public service and his receipt of the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award.
This bill updates the rules for appointing and managing township officers in Iowa, specifically targeting rural townships in counties with fewer than 75,000 residents. The key provision establishes that township trustees and clerks in these areas will be appointed by the county board of supervisors rather than elected by voters, with these appointments serving staggered three-year terms until 2031. Additionally, the legislation clarifies procedures for filling vacancies in township offices and outlines how new townships should hold their initial elections. The law also addresses how cities can provide fire protection and emergency medical services to townships, alongside updates to budget and tax certification processes.
This bill establishes a new fee structure for wire transmissions, which are defined as money transfers sent to or from locations outside the United States. Financial institutions and their authorized representatives must collect a $5 fee for transfers of $500 or less, plus an additional 2% charge on amounts exceeding $500. The collected fees are submitted quarterly to the state Department of Revenue, with 10% directed to the office to combat human trafficking and the remainder deposited into the state's general fund. The Department of Revenue, working with the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for enforcing compliance, and may recommend license suspensions or revocations for non-payment.
