This bill allows Iowa taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $1 or more from their individual income tax return to a public school checkoff fund. The fund, managed by the state department of management, collects these contributions annually and distributes them to school districts starting in 2027 based on each district's budget enrollment. School districts receive these funds as general revenue (not counted toward district costs) and may use them for any school purpose. The checkoff will appear on tax forms for the 2026 tax year, with contributions becoming available for school funding beginning July 1, 2027.
This bill raises the income limit for Iowa's Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MEPD) program from 250% to 300% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects employed Iowans with disabilities whose household income falls within this new range, allowing them to qualify for Medicaid coverage. Key provisions include disregarding pension and retirement account assets when determining eligibility, requiring the state to allow electronic premium payments via its website, and clarifying that premium payments do not automatically guarantee program eligibility. The changes align with federal Medicaid rules to expand access for working individuals with disabilities.
SF 2436 allows Iowa school districts to voluntarily pay a portion of their foundation property taxes (levied on property within urban renewal areas) to municipalities for urban renewal projects, instead of having those taxes automatically allocated to the municipality's special fund. School districts must formally approve this payment via a board resolution, and it remains optional - districts aren't required to make these payments. Crucially, such voluntary payments won't reduce the school district's state foundation aid or other funding under Chapter 257. The bill applies to taxes due for fiscal years starting July 1, 2027, and clarifies that foundation property taxes will no longer be automatically divided for urban renewal purposes.
This bill prohibits school districts from using foundation property tax revenues (levied under Iowa Code section 257.3) for urban renewal projects approved on or after January 1, 2025, that include planning, construction, or operation of stadiums or arenas primarily for professional sports teams. It directly affects school districts and municipalities that rely on tax increment financing (division of revenue under Code chapter 403) for urban renewal projects. The key provision amends Iowa law to block the use of specific school tax funds for stadium-related developments in new urban renewal initiatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, with the restriction applying only to projects approved after 2025.
This bill transfers responsibility for 911 call center operations from joint 911 service boards to local emergency management commissions. It requires these commissions to submit annual reports including five-year infrastructure plans and detailed inventories of staff, equipment, and facilities used by public safety agencies. The bill also sets rules limiting counties to one primary 911 service point (with limited exceptions) and mandates that 911 centers accessing criminal justice data comply with FBI security standards. These changes aim to streamline 911 service management and improve accountability for public safety infrastructure.
SF 2415 requires AI chatbot providers operating in Iowa to implement specific safeguards for user mental health. It prohibits chatbots from offering mental health advice, pretending to be licensed professionals, or simulating human interaction. Providers must detect self-harm or suicidal thoughts and refer users to crisis services (like the national lifeline or Iowa crisis hotline), while clearly disclosing the chatbot is not human or a substitute for professional care at key interaction points. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $40,000 per incident, enforced by the attorney general under consumer fraud laws.
SF 2459 modifies Iowa's certificate of need process for health facilities, requiring state approval before major expansions or service changes. It defines "new institutional health service" to include facility construction (with cost thresholds rising from $4 million to $5 million over time), equipment purchases over $1.5 million, bed capacity changes, or new services exceeding specified dollar amounts. The bill adds an application fee of 0.3% of project cost (minimum $600, maximum $21,000), exempting facilities serving people with intellectual/mental disabilities. This directly affects hospitals and health providers planning significant capital investments or service changes above the defined financial thresholds.
This bill requires Iowa county treasurers to accept partial payments for property taxes as an alternative to annual or semiannual payments, rather than having the option to do so. It specifies that partial payments must be applied to each semiannual tax installment before due dates, with unpaid balances accruing interest and remaining balances carried forward. Taxpayers must request this option, and any interest earned on partial payments funds county administrative costs. The change applies to property taxes due in fiscal years starting July 1, 2026.
SF 2373 modifies Iowa's MEGA economic development program to allow NFL franchises building a professional sports stadium in the state to qualify for incentives. The bill defines "sports stadium" as a facility hosting NFL games and adds stadium construction projects to the program's eligible business types, expanding beyond its current focus on advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or R&D. Eligible NFL franchises would receive tax incentives like sales tax refunds and investment credits, subject to the program's existing limits of two projects or a 2027 end date. The bill does not change the requirement that businesses must primarily engage in qualifying sectors, though stadium projects are now explicitly included.
HF 2723 designates physical gold and silver bullion (meeting purity standards) as legal tender in Iowa, meaning residents can use it for transactions but businesses are not required to accept it. The bill establishes secure storage facilities ("bullion depositories") for gold/silver, requires electronic payment systems for transactions using this "specie," and mandates the state treasurer to approve these depositories and payment systems. Key provisions include tax exemptions for gold/silver exchanges, protections preventing state seizure of bullion deposits (which remain solely owned by account holders), and prohibitions against using the system for social credit scoring or surveillance. The treasurer must report annually on depository operations, payment system usage, and the economic impact of this change, with implementation required by July 2027.
This Iowa bill (HF 2715) sets safety rules for public-facing chatbots, primarily affecting companies that deploy them. It requires deployers to clearly disclose when users interact with AI (not humans), implement safety protocols for self-harm risks, and limit data collection. For minors, it mandates age-verification methods (without requiring ID), parental notifications for self-harm, and strict criteria for therapeutic chatbots - requiring professional recommendations, clinical evidence, and safety testing before use by minors. The bill does not ban chatbots but imposes compliance requirements for deployers to protect user safety.
HF 2710 prohibits Iowa governors from issuing disaster emergency proclamations that unduly interfere with religious institutions or religious practices. The bill specifically bans measures that restrict in-person religious interactions, impede worship, or force religious organizations to close during declared emergencies. It also limits governors' emergency powers by requiring any restrictions on rights to be narrowly tailored, neutral, and justified by a compelling state interest. The law directly affects religious institutions and individuals exercising religious practices during state disaster or public health emergencies.
