HF 548 requires businesses recycling battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Iowa to complete a DOT-approved safety training program for handling high-voltage batteries, starting January 1, 2027. This applies to all authorized vehicle recyclers who dismantle or process these vehicles, mandating they display a program completion certificate alongside their license. The law establishes penalties for non-compliance, treating violations as a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,560. The bill focuses on safety standards for handling electric vehicle batteries during recycling, without altering existing licensing requirements for general vehicle recycling.
SR 6 is a procedural resolution that establishes the permanent rules for the Nebraska Senate during the 91st General Assembly. It sets the quorum requirement (a constitutional majority), defines the order of daily business, and details how bills are organized on the Senate calendar - including tracking carryovers between sessions and categorizing bills by type (e.g., appropriations, tax-related). The resolution governs internal Senate operations without changing substantive laws, ensuring consistent procedures for managing legislation and committee work.
This resolution (HR 7) honors Iowa Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for their 44 years of providing free business counseling and training across all 99 counties, and specifically recognizes two 2025 award winners: Sierra Elbert (founder of Groom Curriculum, recipient of the Deb Dalziel Women Entrepreneur Achievement Award) and Abe Sandquist (founder of Natural Fertilizer Services, recipient of the Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award). It expresses the House's thanks to the SBDCs for supporting Iowa entrepreneurs and making the state a better place to live and work. As a symbolic resolution - not a law - it has no direct policy impact but serves to publicly acknowledge these organizations and individuals.
HR 11 is a symbolic resolution, not a law, that commemorates St. Patrick’s Day and the 27th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal ending decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. It recognizes the cultural significance of Irish immigration to the U.S. and expresses support for Ireland’s relationship with the U.S. The resolution formally asks the House to "commemorate" these events and directs a copy be sent to Irish officials and the American Irish State Legislators Caucus. As a ceremonial measure, it has no binding effect or policy changes.
This Iowa bill requires health insurance plans to cover supplemental and diagnostic breast exams with the same out-of-pocket costs (like copays or deductibles) as routine screening mammograms. It directly affects patients needing follow-up breast exams after abnormal screenings, ensuring they won’t face higher costs than for preventive screenings. The rule applies to most health plans sold in Iowa starting January 1, 2026, with a specific exception for high-deductible plans after the deductible is met for preventive care. The policy change aligns cost-sharing for these exams with existing standards for screening mammograms.
HF 305 amends Iowa law to expand the pool of professionals eligible to serve as county medical examiners. It adds advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the current list of qualified candidates (which previously included only MDs, DOs, and osteopathic physicians). The bill maintains the existing appointment process, requiring the county board to select from lists provided by medical societies, while allowing temporary replacements from other counties if needed. This change directly affects counties seeking to appoint medical examiners by broadening the available qualified candidates. The bill focuses solely on qualification standards, not on funding or other policy changes.
This bill allows physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to testify at Iowa's involuntary commitment hearings on behalf of licensed physicians or mental health professionals who examined the respondent. To qualify, the PA/ARNP must provide three sworn statements: confirming they witnessed the exam, reviewed the written report, and that the primary provider cannot attend. It applies to both mental health and substance abuse commitment hearings, directly affecting respondents, their attorneys, and healthcare providers involved in these proceedings. The change streamlines testimony options while maintaining court oversight for waiver decisions.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 9) honoring Ron Steele for his 50+ years in Iowa broadcast journalism. It commends his service, including covering major events like the Iran hostage return and interviewing presidents, and recognizes his induction into the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The resolution expresses the Iowa House's appreciation for his career but contains no policy changes or legal requirements - it is purely symbolic, with no direct effect on laws or constituents.
This bill defines "psychiatric deterioration" in Iowa law as a condition where a person cannot understand their need for treatment, has a history of avoiding treatment, and is likely to worsen without intervention (Section 229.1). It requires court applications for involuntary treatment to specifically state this condition, rather than using broader terms (Sections 1, 7, 229.6). The bill also shortens the timeline for court hearings after a mental health evaluation (to 48 hours, excluding weekends/holidays) and clarifies procedures for hospitalizing individuals experiencing this deterioration (Sections 8, 9). It directly affects people facing mental health crises, hospitals, and courts handling involuntary commitment cases.
This is a resolution (not binding legislation), SR 3, which expresses the Iowa Senate's support for strengthening economic cooperation between Iowa and Taiwan. It specifically encourages collaboration in advanced manufacturing, ag-bioscience (combining agriculture with biotechnology), and digital innovation to facilitate trade and knowledge sharing. The resolution affirms the existing sister-state relationship established in 1989 and urges continued partnership through "best practices" and shared expertise, without creating new legal requirements or funding.
This resolution (HR 10) is a symbolic gesture by Iowa's House of Representatives expressing support for the state's relationship with Taiwan. It reaffirms Iowa's longstanding partnership with Taiwan, highlighting trade ties (including Taiwan as Iowa's fourth-largest Asian export market), educational exchanges, and cultural cooperation. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally encourages continued collaboration in trade, education, and cultural exchanges between Iowa and Taiwan. It was adopted unanimously by the House on March 6, 2025.
This resolution honors Archie and Nancy Martin for their historical support of Black students at Iowa State University. It recognizes their role in addressing housing discrimination by hosting students at their Ames home (the Martin House, now a historic landmark) and advocating with university leadership. The resolution also references existing honors, including Martin Hall (named in 2004) and scholarships established in 2008 to support students of color. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Martin family’s contributions to educational equity.
