Bill HF 1011 establishes two human trafficking prosecution units within the Department of Justice, one for the eastern and one for the western half of the state. These multidisciplinary teams will identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking cases while providing care and support for victims. To fund these initiatives, the bill introduces a new fee on wire transmissions, collected from customers by money transfer services. This fee, $5 for transfers up to $500 and an additional 2% on amounts over $500, will be remitted to the Office to Combat Human Trafficking, and customers can claim an individual income tax credit for the fees paid.
HSB 733 modifies Iowa's state income tax rules for slot machine winnings by removing the current $1,200 withholding threshold. Instead, tax withholding on slot machine winnings will now only apply if the winnings are required to be reported to the federal IRS (as per federal reporting rules). This change directly affects individuals who win slot machine payouts that meet federal reporting requirements, shifting the trigger from a fixed dollar amount to federal tax reporting obligations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and aligns state withholding with federal reporting practices for gambling winnings.
This Iowa bill (SF 2435) modifies property tax credits for elderly and disabled homeowners and streamlines rules for abandoned mobile homes in rural areas. It updates eligibility for annual property tax credits paid by June 15 and rent reimbursements paid by December 31, directly affecting qualifying low-income seniors and disabled residents. The bill creates a new definition for "valueless homes" (mobile homes with no market value on rural property) and allows rural property owners or mobile home park operators to remove these without court orders, requiring written notice to county treasurers within 10 days. It also adds procedures for issuing new titles to third parties and ensures tax sales can be postponed for disaster-related reasons.
SF 2441 requires Iowa cities and counties that impose hotel and motel taxes to spend at least 50% of the revenue on tourism development (such as public attractions or events) and tourism promotion (like advertising to attract visitors traveling more than 50 miles). It defines "tourism development" as creating public experiences for tourists and "tourism promotion" as programs designed to draw visitors. Starting with annual reports due December 1, 2027, local governments must detail how they used these funds. The remaining tax revenue can still be allocated to general city or county operations under existing rules.
SF 2388 establishes automatic funding for Iowa state agencies if the legislature fails to pass a new annual budget by July 1. It requires the Department of Management to continue the previous fiscal year's line-item, limited, and unlimited appropriations (excluding one-time projects like infrastructure funds) to the same agencies for the current year. The bill ensures funding levels, staffing authorizations, and budget limitations from the prior year apply automatically, while excluding duplicative budget items. This mechanism prevents government shutdowns due to budget delays, directly affecting all state agencies receiving ongoing appropriations.
HF 2727 requires fertilizer manufacturers selling registered brands in Iowa to report monthly pricing details to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (DALS). This includes costs of active ingredients, total quantities sold, price ranges for each brand, and terms of discounted sales agreements. Manufacturers who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $50,000 per day for each ongoing violation. The bill aims to increase transparency in fertilizer pricing and is enforced by DALS with input from the attorney general.
This bill allows Iowa cities, counties, and townships to create self-supported tourism improvement districts. It authorizes local governments to impose assessments on lodging businesses (such as hotels and resorts) to fund tourism promotion, events, marketing, and infrastructure improvements that directly benefit those businesses. Key provisions include requiring public hearings and a petition from owners covering over 50% of proposed assessments, permitting different fees based on business categories or zones within the district, and ensuring district funds supplement - never replace - existing tourism funding. The bill defines terms like "assessment" (a fee tied to benefits) and specifies that district plans must detail boundaries, funding methods, and activity purposes.
This resolution (SR 109) honors Alexander Clark, an Iowa civil rights pioneer, by recognizing the 200th anniversary of his birth on February 25, 2026. It commemorates his legacy as a key figure who fought against racial discrimination, integrated Iowa schools decades before Brown v. Board, and served as the U.S. Minister to Liberia. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific policies, but formally acknowledges Clark's contributions to Iowa's history and the pursuit of equality.
This symbolic resolution expresses Iowa's support for its longstanding relationship with Taiwan, referencing trade ties since 1989, the 2024 economic cooperation agreement, and Taiwan's role as a key export market for Iowa agriculture. It reaffirms Iowa's backing for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and opposes efforts to limit Taiwan's global engagement, particularly regarding UN Resolution 2758. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new policies or directly affect any group.
HF 2666 revises licensing procedures for professionals like electricians and other licensed occupations in Iowa. It requires all fees for licenses, examinations, and inspections to be deposited into a specific "licensing and regulation fund" and mandates that fee amounts reflect actual operational costs. The bill creates an "inactive master electrician license" option with conditions for future reinstatement, including continuing education requirements, and updates board meeting rules to prevent the licensing director from serving as board chair. These changes directly affect licensed professionals, licensing boards, and applicants navigating renewal and fee processes.
This Iowa bill (HF 2726) strengthens penalties for assaults against specific public safety and health workers (like police, nurses, correctional staff, and firefighters) and adds a new requirement for disease testing. It defines "protected occupations" and classifies assaults on these workers as serious crimes (felonies or aggravated misdemeanors) based on circumstances like weapon use or injury. Crucially, if a victim contacts bodily fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) during an assault and suspects the perpetrator may have a communicable disease, they can request a court-ordered medical test of the perpetrator. The medical professional conducting the test must then share results directly with the victim as soon as possible. This provision applies specifically to assaults where bodily fluid exposure occurred, focusing on victim safety and transparency.
SSB 3034 establishes new limits on local government property tax levies and reserve funds for budgets certified after July 1, 2027. It caps the maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new valuation growth (from construction, boundary changes, etc.), and restricts unassigned general fund reserves to no more than 10% of budgeted expenditures. These rules apply to cities, counties, and other local governments (excluding school districts), with the Department of Management overseeing compliance. The bill also modifies audit requirements to verify adherence to these financial limits.
