Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 2278: A bill for an act relating to law enforcement training requirements for experienced reserve peace officers.

HF 2278 creates a shortened law enforcement academy program for experienced reserve peace officers in Iowa who meet specific criteria. To qualify, officers must have served continuously for at least four years (with no more than six months off) and completed 4,000 documented hours with Iowa or border-state agencies (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota, or Nebraska), plus no serious disciplinary issues during that time. Agencies must verify an officer’s service history and record, and the Iowa law enforcement council can extend eligibility to officers from other states with comparable standards. The program allows these officers to complete a streamlined training course to achieve full peace officer certification.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SSB 3109: A bill for an act requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide success-sequence education in grades seven through twelve.

This bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to incorporate "success-sequence education" into grades 7-12 curricula. It defines this instruction as covering evidence-based milestones (like earning a high school diploma, securing full-time employment, and marriage) and research on marriage benefits and outcomes for children of divorced parents. The content must be included in social studies for grades 7-8 and in health education/personal finance for grades 9-12. The bill specifies that existing state school foundation aid funds will cover implementation costs, with no additional state funding required.

Topics ✗ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HSB 683: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the physical education and physical activity requirements applicable to certain specified students and by implementing a graduation requirement related to participation in a cocurricular or extracurricular activity.

This bill modifies Iowa's education laws to require all high school students (grades 9-12) to participate in at least one cocurricular or extracurricular activity as a condition for graduation. It defines "cocurricular" activities (like student government or theater) and "extracurricular" activities (like sports or band) in detail, mandating school districts to ensure students meet this requirement. The bill also updates physical education rules, adding self-defense content for grades 6+ and adjusting weekly activity time requirements, but the new graduation requirement is the primary policy change directly affecting students. School districts will fund this through existing state aid, per the bill's funding provisions.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2269: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to Iowa state university of science and technology for use by the Iowa nutrient research center in supporting the Iowa water quality information systems.

This bill appropriates $500,000 from Iowa's water quality infrastructure fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds will support the Iowa Nutrient Research Center in administering the Iowa Water Quality Information Systems, specifically using sensor technology to collect data on nutrient impacts. The primary purpose is to monitor how nutrients affect the state's surface waters, including rivers and lakes. This directly affects the data collection and monitoring capabilities of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the state's water quality management efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2260: A bill for an act providing for county control of the siting and management of confinement feeding operations.

SF 2260 gives Iowa counties authority to regulate the location and expansion of large livestock facilities (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 pigs). Counties must adopt siting ordinances to approve or deny construction/expansion of such facilities, requiring county board approval before work begins. The bill also allows counties to set stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law requires and mandates a state permit before county approval. This directly affects counties, livestock operators, and nearby residents by shifting regulatory control from state agencies to local governments for major facilities.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2240: A bill for an act extending the deadline to enter into withholding agreements under the targeted jobs withholding credit pilot project.

This bill extends the deadline for cities and economic development authorities to enter into withholding agreements under Iowa's targeted jobs withholding credit pilot program. The new deadline is June 30, 2030, instead of the previous June 30, 2027. This three-year extension provides additional time for participating cities and authorities to finalize these agreements. The change specifically modifies the deadline date in Section 403.19A of Iowa's code, without altering the program's core structure or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2246: A bill for an act relating to the military home ownership assistance program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill appropriates $750,000 from Iowa's general fund to the Iowa Finance Authority for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program. It directly assists current and former U.S. military members who qualify under existing law (Iowa Code § 16.54) by supplementing funds for home purchases. The bill ensures unspent funds from this appropriation carry over into the next fiscal year instead of reverting, and it takes effect immediately upon enactment. This is a supplemental funding measure supporting an existing program, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2182: A bill for an act relating to games of queen of hearts conducted by licensed qualified organizations, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2182 defines "queen of hearts" as a specific regulated game of chance for licensed organizations in Iowa. The bill clarifies that participants enter raffles to select cards from a standard deck, with winners receiving cash prizes if they pick the designated winning card, and allows cash prizes for non-winning selections too. It sets a $10,000 cap on cash prizes, permits the game to operate on a "build-up" basis (unlike most other gambling), and requires participants to be present to win certain raffles. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties including fines up to $2,560.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2250: A bill for an act making modifications to tax deadlines and tax disputes.

SF 2250 modifies Iowa's tax administration by changing deadlines and dispute processes. It allows taxpayers to file a power of attorney to pause tax deadlines until the authorization is approved or denied (excluding criminal cases). The bill requires the tax department to provide a 30-day explanation of proposed tax assessments or refund denials, including a meeting with the taxpayer before issuing notices. It also revises cost recovery rules, awarding winning taxpayers reasonable fees for expert witnesses, reports, and attorney services at a set hourly rate ($250 in 2026, adjusted annually for inflation), with specific conditions for eligibility. These changes directly affect Iowa taxpayers and the Department of Revenue.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2171: A bill for an act relating to qualifications for admission to practice law.

SF 2171 changes Iowa's requirements for becoming a licensed lawyer. It adds an alternative path for applicants who have worked 10+ years in legislative research, analysis, or as a state assembly member, instead of needing a law school degree. The bill also removes the requirement for a photo on application forms and prohibits discrimination based on factors like race, gender, or national origin during the licensing process. These changes directly affect individuals seeking law license eligibility in Iowa.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2276: A bill for an act providing for the processing and marketing of meat and poultry products, including by prohibiting vertical integration, providing for a health and safety program, and providing for the divestiture of interests in processors by certain retailers, and providing penalties.

SF 2276, the "Retailer-Processor Fairness Act," prohibits large grocery retailers (defined as those with over $18 billion in annual sales or operating in 20+ states) from owning or controlling meat and poultry processors or requiring exclusive contracts with farmers. It requires these dominant retailers to divest any ownership in processors and end exclusive contracts with producers within one year of being identified as violating the law. The Attorney General will identify violators through a two-year review process starting in 2027, publishing preliminary and final lists for public review, with retailers allowed to challenge findings in court. Violations carry civil penalties of $25,000 per day, and the law establishes enforcement through the Attorney General and Agriculture Department.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 2395: A bill for an act relating to the use of fluoride-based additives in private and public water supply systems.

HF 2395 bans the addition of hydrofluorosilicic acid and other fluoride-based additives to both public and private drinking water systems in Iowa. It requires county health boards to set private water standards that prevent fluoride levels exceeding natural background amounts, and directs the environmental protection commission to establish public water standards with the same limit. The bill updates drinking water rules to ensure they align with federal standards while prohibiting artificial fluoride addition. This directly affects all public water utilities and private well owners subject to county health regulations. The policy change specifically eliminates the use of fluoride additives in water treatment, setting maximum allowable levels at naturally occurring background concentrations.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Healthcare

Bill results