This bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have been warned not to do so. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers while they are performing their official duties. The law prohibits people from intentionally getting close to these responders with the purpose of hindering their work, threatening them with physical harm, or harassing them. Anyone who violates this rule commits a serious misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The offense only applies after the person receiving the warning knows or should know the individual is a first responder engaged in lawful duties.
This bill modifies the Teach Iowa Scholar Program to change how state funding is distributed to teachers starting in the 2026 fiscal year. It mandates that 20% of the funds go to special education instructors and 50% go to teachers working in rural school districts, which are defined as those with fewer than 1,000 students. The legislation also clarifies that a single teacher cannot receive funding under both categories simultaneously, requiring the state department to assign them to only one group. These changes directly affect eligible classroom teachers in Iowa by altering the specific criteria and allocation percentages for the scholarship fund.
This bill establishes a dedicated fund within the Iowa state treasury to finance the construction and infrastructure improvements of state prisons. It creates two specific accounts within this fund: one for building new prisons or replacing old facilities, and another for programs aimed at reducing inmate recidivism, such as mental health care and job training. The funding for these accounts will come from fines, fees, and forfeited bail collected in criminal cases, with specific portions allocated once existing prison bonds are paid off. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to submit annual reports on the status of all infrastructure projects and directs the legislature to form a committee to study the need for additional prison capacity.
SF 548 requires all passengers on personal watercraft (like Jet Skis) in Iowa to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V) while the craft is moving. It allows exceptions if the passenger is 18+ and the watercraft is traveling at 10 mph or less or in a no-wake zone. The bill directly affects all personal watercraft operators and passengers on Iowa waters. Violating this rule is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $30 fine. The law updates existing administrative rules into statute.
This bill directs the Iowa Department of Revenue to study the feasibility of creating a reciprocal tax agreement with Wisconsin, which would allow residents of each state working in the other to pay income taxes only to their home state. The study must be completed by December 1, 2026, and include findings on whether such an agreement is practical and mutually beneficial. If the study finds the agreement viable, the department must prepare a bill for legislative approval before the 2027 regular session. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.
HR 114 is a resolution that formally honors the 30 Iowans who died and the four Iowans who survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. The bill recognizes the service of these individuals and the ship, which delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian before being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. This measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to the men who served from Iowa.
This bill requires state agencies to submit regular reports to the General Assembly detailing future major maintenance projects for state infrastructure. It directly affects the Department of Administrative Services, Department of Management, and the State Board of Regents by mandating they list upcoming projects for state buildings, facilities, and information technology systems. The reports must include project titles, priority categories such as safety risks or ADA compliance, estimated immediacy, responsible agencies, and funding requests, with submissions due by January 1, 2027, and biannually thereafter. This legislation formalizes existing reporting practices into law, ensuring the legislature receives consistent information about infrastructure maintenance needs and associated costs.
SF 633 establishes a yearly program fee for landowners with forest or fruit-tree reservations that are currently exempt from property taxes under Iowa law. Starting in 2026, these landowners must pay $2-$3 per acre (depending on location relative to homesteads) to their county treasurer by September 1 each year. Fees collected before 2028 can fund general county spending, but after 2028, they must be used for property tax relief beginning in 2029, with adjustments tied to inflation. The bill directly affects landowners maintaining tax-exempt forest or fruit-tree reservations, particularly those in counties with homestead owners nearby.
SF 634 increases the annual registration fee for sex offenders in Iowa from $25 to $50. This fee must be paid to the sheriff in the offender's county of principal residence, beginning with their first required in-person appearance after July 1, 2009. If an offender cannot pay upfront, sheriffs may allow installment payments or waive the fee. The collected fees are specifically designated to cover costs related to sex offender registration under the law. The bill directly affects individuals required to register as sex offenders in Iowa.
This bill establishes the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funding received from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund will be used exclusively for purposes authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with interest and earnings remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget. The Department of Health and Human Services must report quarterly spending details to the General Assembly, including specific city locations where funds are used, and share all federal program reports with the legislature. The fund and its associated provisions will automatically expire on October 1, 2032.
SF 2341 requires county boards of supervisors in Iowa to approve their meeting minutes before publication, rather than after the meeting adjourns. Specifically, the board must approve the minutes prior to ending the meeting, and the approval must be added to the published minutes along with the adjournment notice. This bill directly affects county boards of supervisors and county auditors, who are responsible for publishing the minutes. The change modifies existing law to mandate board approval before publication, ensuring minutes reflect the board's final review before being made public.
This bill requires Iowa grain dealers and warehouse operators to submit annual financial statements accompanied by an unqualified audit opinion from a licensed Iowa accountant. It allows flexibility by accepting qualified audits or review reports under specific conditions, but limits the state department to requesting no more than one full audit per year. The bill also establishes procedures for filing claims after license termination and managing liens on grain deposits. These requirements directly affect businesses handling grain sales and storage in Iowa, aiming to improve financial transparency.
