This bill creates a new health care-related tax on health maintenance organizations operating in Iowa, requiring them to pay 0.95% of their taxable funds to a newly established Medicaid managed care organization premiums health care tax fund. The tax applies to payments received from enrollees for health care services and benefits, while excluding certain federal payments, and includes provisions for prepayment, credit refunds, and enforcement measures like license suspension for nonpayment. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funds from the taxpayer relief fund and supplements appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services, with specific effective dates and retroactive applicability provisions included.
This Iowa bill (SF 2457) updates procedures for handling abandoned vehicles on public and private property. It requires police authorities or hired private entities to send certified mail notice to owners and lienholders within 20 days of taking custody, giving them 20 days to reclaim the vehicle by paying towing, storage, and notice costs. Private entities may only charge fees for the first 24 hours, and must provide itemized bills upon reclamation. If not reclaimed, vehicles are sold at auction, with proceeds first covering costs, then reimbursing lienholders, and any remaining funds going to state funds.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 6) is a request from Iowa's legislature to Congress to change federal law. It asks for an increase in the maximum gross weight limit for commercial trucks on interstate highways from 80,000 pounds to 96,000 pounds specifically for vehicles with seven axles. The resolution aims to align federal interstate weight limits with Iowa's current rules for non-interstate roads and eliminate inconsistent weight restrictions across state borders. It directly affects commercial trucking operations in Iowa and neighboring states by seeking to standardize and increase payload capacity on shared interstate routes.
This bill creates a new licensing system for companies that use artificial intelligence to provide medical services in Iowa, requiring them to register with a newly formed Board of Autonomous Medical Practice. The legislation defines different types of AI medical tools, from advisory systems that suggest diagnoses to fully autonomous AI that can independently make clinical decisions, and establishes specific roles for oversight including medical directors and designated responsible officials. Key provisions include setting up a board with diverse membership from healthcare professionals, technology experts, and the public, while also defining terms like adverse events and reportable incidents to ensure accountability. The bill does not currently specify the application process or fees but focuses on creating the regulatory framework and board structure needed to oversee these new AI medical services.
This bill creates a new health care-related tax on health maintenance organizations operating in Iowa, with revenues deposited into a new Medicaid managed care organization premiums health care tax fund. The tax rate begins at 3.5% for the first nine months of 2026 before dropping to 0.95% for the remainder of that year and all subsequent years, applying to payments made by these organizations for health care services and benefits. The legislation also establishes prepayment requirements, allowing organizations to pay estimated taxes in advance and receive credits or cash refunds if they overpay. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for tax collection, penalties for late payments, and the ability to offset certain assessments against this new tax liability.
HF 2621 (Iowa) creates two felony classifications for threatening others with a dangerous weapon. A Class C felony (up to 10 years in prison, $1,370-$13,660 fine) applies when someone shoots, throws, or discharges a weapon at another person or in occupied spaces like buildings, vehicles, or assemblies, causing reasonable fear of serious injury. A Class D felony (up to 5 years, $1,025-$10,245 fine) applies to direct threats at individuals without the occupied-space context. The bill specifically removes the prior reference to "assembly of people" as a trigger for the higher penalty, focusing instead on the act of threatening or discharging a weapon. It directly affects individuals who threaten others with weapons in ways that create immediate fear.
This bill (SF 2407) consolidates and modifies Iowa's education reporting requirements. It requires the Department of Workforce Development to share employment data (like wages and job types) with the Department of Education to evaluate secondary and postsecondary programs. The bill creates an annual "Condition of Education Report" for the legislature, replacing multiple existing reports, and establishes a return-on-investment system where public colleges must report program costs, completion rates, graduate earnings, and alignment with high-demand jobs. This system, overseen by the Iowa Student Aid Commission, will publish consumer-friendly data and may affect college eligibility for state financial aid if institutions fail to comply.
This bill limits civil or criminal liability for climate effects linked to greenhouse gas emissions from specific sources. It shields defendants (like farms, renewable fuel operations, or other facilities) from lawsuits claiming harm from emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide - unless a court finds they violated specific emission limits or permit terms. To override this protection, a plaintiff must prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that the defendant broke an enforceable state emission rule or permit condition. The bill explicitly states it does not create new legal rights to sue over climate impacts.
This bill establishes a competitive grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help schools develop cardiac emergency response plans. It directly affects all Iowa schools, including public school districts, nonpublic accredited schools, and charter schools, by requiring them to meet specific safety standards to qualify for funding. Key provisions mandate schools receiving grants to implement response teams, place AEDs within three minutes of cardiac incidents, maintain equipment, provide staff training in CPR/AED use, conduct annual drills, and coordinate with emergency services. The grants are designed to supplement existing funding, not replace it, and apply to school years starting July 1, 2027.
HF 2545 modifies licensing rules for physicians (including osteopathic physicians) and administrative medicine license holders in Iowa. It limits license renewal to no more than every three years, requires licenses to expire on the licensee's birthday, and caps continuing education requirements at 15 hours per calendar year. The bill also mandates that licensing boards issue final application decisions within 45 days (or 75 days if delays are notified), with specific documentation requirements. These changes directly affect all medical professionals holding active licenses under Iowa law.
SF 2141 establishes a dedicated "technology reinvestment fund" to support Iowa state government IT projects. It allocates $17.5 million annually (starting July 2026) from the general fund and $18.27 million from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund for technology infrastructure upgrades, new systems, and maintenance that enhance government services while protecting resident privacy. The bill requires the Department of Management to prioritize projects based on strategic alignment, ROI, scalability, rural access improvements, and sustainability, and mandates annual project status reports to the legislature. It also adds background check requirements for IT staff and contractors (including FBI checks every 5 years) and prohibits specific contract terms like excessive indemnity clauses or foreign law jurisdiction. The bill directly affects all Iowa state agencies using technology infrastructure funded through this mechanism.
This resolution asks Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would permanently set the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. It directly affects the federal judiciary by seeking to prevent future changes to the court's size. The bill argues that fixing the number of justices is necessary to maintain the court's independence and public trust. If passed, it would require a formal amendment process to ensure the Supreme Court remains composed of exactly nine judges.
