Iowa Bills

introduced · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2646: A bill for an act relating to certain activities associated with foreign entities in the state, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2646 restricts state agencies and local governments from purchasing, leasing, or operating drones made by companies on a federal "covered list" (e.g., certain foreign manufacturers), requiring replacement with drones on a federal "blue list" and auditing their security protocols. It creates a class D felony for flying foreign-made drones within 400 feet of critical infrastructure like power plants or national guard facilities. The bill also mandates foreign entities lobbying in Iowa to register within 48 hours and file detailed records of their activities, with daily civil penalties for non-compliance. Finally, it prohibits using state tax funds to enforce international agreements (like UN or WHO guidelines) unless formally adopted by Iowa’s legislature, affirming state sovereignty over public health and safety policies.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SF 2438: A bill for an act relating to city utilities including landlord notification, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2438 amends Iowa utility laws to require city utilities to automatically notify landlords when a tenant is 60 days delinquent on payments (removing the prior requirement for landlords to request this notice), and to provide at least 10 days' notice before disconnecting service. It expands acceptable methods for landlords to provide written notice that a property is rental housing (including online, email, or fax), exempting the property from liens for unpaid tenant-paid utility bills like water, sewage, or solid waste. Utilities may now require deposits up to 90 days for water/sewage services or 60 days for gas/electric, with deposits refunded when tenants move out. The bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and city utilities in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2642: A bill for an act relating to the use of water, including beneficial use in the context of water allocation and the disposal of wastewater from distillery operations.

HF 2642 (Iowa) creates new rules for disposing liquid waste from native distilleries and changes water permit processes. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish standards for land application of distillery waste, considering waste volume, disposal method, and per-acre daily rates. The bill removes a categorical definition of "beneficial use" for water permits and instead mandates case-by-case department reviews for permit approvals, with strict 90-day (new) and 30-day (renewal) processing deadlines. This directly affects Iowa distilleries holding class "A" native distilled spirits licenses. The law aims to standardize waste disposal while shifting water permit decisions from category-based rules to individual assessments.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2718: A bill for an act relating to the seizure of firearms, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2718, the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Iowa state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that orders the seizure of firearms from law-abiding citizens without a violent felony conviction. The bill defines "red flag law" as any federal or state law, order, or measure requiring firearm surrender except for those in custody after violent felony charges. It bans state entities from using federal funds to enforce such laws and imposes a $50,000 civil penalty per violation for agencies employing officers who knowingly enforce them. The act also allows affected individuals to sue for damages, injunctions, and attorney fees, taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2649: A bill for an act establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.

HF 2649, the "REACH Act," creates a pilot program allowing eligible Iowa community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in specific high-demand fields like nursing, IT, and education. To qualify, colleges must be at least 50 miles from existing bachelor's programs and limit offerings to three degrees per institution, with upper-level courses taught on campus (not online). The bill requires annual reporting on enrollment, student outcomes, and workforce alignment to the state education department and legislature. It directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved areas seeking to expand local higher education options without replacing university programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SJR 2010: A joint resolution designating the American cream draft horse as the official state horse of the State of Iowa.

This bill designates the American cream draft horse as Iowa's official state horse. It requires the state records commission to display images of the breed in the Iowa State Historical Museum and mandates that the Iowa official register include a photo and description alongside existing state symbols like the state flower and bird. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally adds the breed to Iowa's official state emblems.

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2229: A bill for an act relating to the administration of the utilities commission, including the creation of the position of executive director and modification of the duties and titles of the chairperson and executive staff.

HF 2229 restructures Iowa's Utilities Commission by creating a new "executive director" position (replacing "chief operating officer") to manage daily operations. The bill modifies the chairperson's title to "administrator" and clarifies their role in moderating proceedings, while requiring the commission to appoint the executive director by majority vote without political consideration. It also specifies that civil penalties collected from utilities must be directed to specific state programs: energy assistance for water/electric/gas providers and consumer education for telecom providers, excluding these penalties from utility rate calculations. The bill primarily affects commission staff, members, and regulated utilities by changing internal management and penalty fund allocation.

passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2250: A bill for an act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program.

HF 2250 would allow Iowa residents with intellectual disabilities enrolled in approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs to receive state tuition grants. These programs, designed to prepare students for employment through academic and life skills training, must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education and offered by accredited private institutions, community colleges, or state universities. Eligible students could receive grants covering up to two semesters of tuition and fees per year for a maximum of eight semesters total. Payments would be made at the start of each semester by the educational institution, with refunds required if a student withdraws after receiving funds.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HR 111: A resolution commemorating St. Patrick’s Day and the 28th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement between most political parties in Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments.

This bill is a symbolic resolution that commemorates St. Patrick's Day and the 28th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. It recognizes the cultural importance of Irish heritage in the United States and expresses support for Ireland's political traditions. The House of Representatives formally acknowledges the peaceful democratic process demonstrated by the Good Friday Agreement and celebrates Irish contributions to American society. The resolution directs copies to Irish government officials and leaders of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus to maintain diplomatic and cultural ties.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HF 2740: A bill for an act relating to the confidentiality of certain information filed with the secretary of state by foreign persons holding agricultural land.

This bill requires foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments, to register their agricultural land holdings in Iowa with the Secretary of State, with specific information about the land and owners to be filed. The key mechanism establishes that this registration data and related reports will remain confidential records, accessible only to the attorney general for law enforcement purposes and to state government officials for oversight. The legislation mandates an annual summary report of foreign landholdings to be provided to the governor and General Assembly, while maintaining restrictions on public access to these details. The bill applies to land interests acquired on or after January 1, 1980, and requires registration within 60 days of acquisition or the specified date.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HSB 763: A bill for an act relating to transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the department of transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund.

This bill appropriates state funds from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts allocated for various operational needs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, utility services, and specific projects like driver's license system modernization and road facility repairs. Key provisions also establish rules for how unspent money from certain maintenance and project categories can be carried over for up to three years after the fiscal year ends, ensuring funds remain available for designated purposes unless projects are completed earlier.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SF 2255: A bill for an act relating to the treatment of private sewage disposal systems, including monitoring, maintenance, and reporting requirements, and including applicability provisions.

This bill requires owners of private sewage systems (for four or fewer dwelling units) to contract with certified technicians for ongoing monitoring and maintenance, with the contract required for the system's lifetime. It classifies systems into Class A (media-based filters like peat moss) and Class B (mechanical systems), mandating annual inspections for Class A systems and biannual inspections for Class B systems. All inspections and maintenance must be performed by certified technicians, with results reported to the system owner and county sanitarian, and aggregated into a public database by the state department. The bill also specifies site suitability requirements, preferring Class A systems where possible and restricting Class B systems from use in vacation properties or infrequently used facilities. These requirements apply to systems installed on or after July 1, 2026.

Bill results