HF 527 would amend Iowa law to require commercial motor vehicle drivers to be at least 21 years old when transporting hazardous materials intrastate in quantities requiring placards. Currently, 18- to 20-year-olds could drive such vehicles for intrastate operations, but this bill removes that exception. It also eliminates a separate exemption allowing 18-year-olds to deliver fertilizers, petroleum, or pesticides within 100 miles of retail stores. The bill would apply standard age requirements (21+) to all intrastate hazardous material transport, aligning with federal standards. Note: The bill was withdrawn on March 12, 2025, and did not become law.
This bill adds 24 new synthetic drugs - including fentanyl analogs like "meta-Fluorofentanyl" and "3-Furanyl fentanyl," as well as designer steroids like "ADB-BUTINACA" and "CUMYL-PEGACLONE" - to Iowa’s Schedule I controlled substances. It also updates reporting rules for precursor chemicals used to manufacture these substances. The bill directly affects anyone producing, selling, or possessing these newly listed compounds, making their unauthorized activity illegal under Iowa law. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment, with no new penalties added beyond existing schedule classifications.
This bill (SF 461) would have required individuals convicted of "grooming" under Iowa Code section 709.8A to register as Tier I sex offenders and serve a mandatory 10-year prison term with parole eligibility. Grooming, defined as a class "D" felony, involves behaviors intended to establish a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. The bill would have mandated a 10-year sex offender registration period upon release from custody, probation, parole, or work release. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration on March 12, 2025, and did not become law.
SF 392 prohibits drivers and passengers from having open containers of legally sold THC beverages (containing no more than 0.3% THC, 4mg per serving, 10mg per container) in the passenger area of vehicles on highways. It applies to all drivers and passengers, with exceptions allowing transport in the trunk or behind the last seat if no trunk exists. Violations are punishable as a $260 simple misdemeanor, matching existing penalties for open alcohol containers. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn on March 12, 2025, and does not change current law as it was not enacted.
HF 399 establishes the "enrich Iowa" program within the Department of Administrative Services to provide direct state funding to public libraries. The bill modifies how this program operates by requiring libraries to meet department-set performance measures to qualify for funds and shifting support from "access plus" programs to "interlibrary loan programs." It removes several existing requirements, including biennial reports the state librarian must submit to the governor, a biennial unified service plan, and the department's obligation to set library standards for state agency libraries. The bill directly affects public libraries seeking state funding for services like interlibrary loans and performance-based improvements.
HF 396 would have allowed banks to use the Secretary of State's office for expedited document filing services under Chapter 524, specifically referencing section 524.303. The bill added a provision requiring the Secretary to provide these extra services with a surcharge, as outlined in Chapter 9. This change would directly affect banks filing documents under Chapter 524 by giving them access to faster processing options. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, but was substituted and withdrawn on March 11, 2025, without becoming law.
SF 174 allows courts to place children accused of breaking laws (in pending delinquency cases) into supervised apartment living arrangements as part of a court-approved agreement, instead of traditional foster care. This applies only if the child has lived continuously for at least six months in a residential treatment program or shelter and lacks family support to transition to independent living. The Iowa Department of Human Services (HHS) must pay for these placements if they meet department rules, making this a state-funded option for youth needing structured support during legal proceedings. The bill updates existing rules to provide this specific transition pathway for eligible youth.
HF 307 expands the types of costs counties can pay from their emergency medical services (EMS) trust fund. It specifically adds the salaries or wages of emergency medical care providers (as defined in existing law) to the list of eligible expenses, alongside current allowable costs like equipment. This change affects counties that have established EMS funds through local tax measures authorized by voter approval. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, allowing counties to use fund money to cover staff compensation for EMS providers.
HF 45 increases the base fine for speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit in specific areas like public parks, alleys, and state parks from $135 to $285. The bill adds $5 for every additional mile per hour over the 20-mph threshold. This directly affects drivers convicted of such speeding violations in designated locations. The change modifies existing misdemeanor penalties under Iowa law, raising the maximum fine amount for these offenses. The bill was recommended for passage by committees but was withdrawn in March 2025.
HF 204 requires Iowa's Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts for starting career-focused robotics clubs that comply with federal education rules. It also allows high school athletic organizations to sponsor robotics competitions using school district or state funds. The bill specifically supports robotics teams and competitions under existing career and technical education frameworks. This directly affects school districts, athletic organizations, and students participating in robotics programs.
HF 514 would require Iowa's Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts for chartering robotics-focused career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) that meet federal Perkins Act standards. It also authorizes high school athletic organizations receiving school district or state funding to sponsor interscholastic robotics competitions. The bill directly affects school districts, the Department of Education, and athletic organizations by creating new pathways for robotics programs and competitions. This legislation was introduced in February 2025 but was substituted and withdrawn on March 4, 2025.
HF 261 would have repealed a requirement that the Iowa public employees’ retirement system must send written notices to members who leave their jobs before retiring. This notice would have included their account balance and explained options like rolling funds into another retirement plan. The bill directly affected Iowa public employees who terminate employment before retirement age. If passed, it would have eliminated this notification process, removing a specific communication obligation from the retirement system. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn the same month after being substituted.
