HF 2017 creates a new Iowa tax credit equal to 100% of the federal work opportunity tax credit (from IRS Section 51) for individual and corporate income taxes. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and affects Iowa employers who hire individuals facing barriers to employment, as defined by the federal program. The credit reduces tax liability but is non-refundable; any unused portion can be carried forward to offset taxes in the following year. The bill includes retroactive application starting January 1, 2026.
This bill, the "Campus Due Process Act," requires Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) to implement standardized due process protections for faculty, staff, and students facing disciplinary action. It mandates that institutions guarantee constitutional due process rights - including the presumption of innocence, right to counsel, access to all evidence, and clear definitions of misconduct - during disciplinary proceedings, with limited exceptions. The bill also requires institutions to immediately refer felony-related disciplinary matters to law enforcement, set strict experience requirements for Title IX employees, and publicly post due process policies and annual violation reports on their websites. These changes apply to all disciplinary actions at Iowa's public universities and take effect December 31, 2026.
This bill modifies how Iowa utility companies recover costs for new or significantly upgraded energy facilities. It establishes advance ratemaking principles for projects like new power plants over 340 megawatts, energy storage systems, or major upgrades (e.g., repowering coal plants to gas or adding carbon capture). Utilities can seek commission approval before construction to lock in cost recovery rules, with potential restrictions on future rate hikes for three years. The bill directly affects utility companies planning qualifying energy infrastructure projects within Iowa.
HSB 565 requires Iowa courts to appoint a noncontract attorney for indigent defendants when no contract attorney is available, changing current law from a discretionary "may" to a mandatory "shall." This directly affects low-income individuals facing criminal charges who cannot afford legal representation. The bill mandates that court orders appointing such attorneys must include a specific finding that no contract attorney was available. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, with no additional implementation details provided in the bill text.
HSB 520 requires Iowa insurance companies planning major exits from the state to submit a detailed withdrawal plan to the state insurance commissioner. It applies when an insurer intends to reduce total annual premiums by 50% or more, reduce premiums in a specific line (like auto or homeowners) by 75% (for larger insurers), or cut premiums in certain high-volume lines by 50%. The plan must include timelines, policyholder and producer notifications, details on fulfilling obligations, replacement coverage options, and market impact estimates. The commissioner must approve compliant plans or may modify/limit them, with insurers allowed a hearing if denied. This directly affects insurance companies operating in Iowa that seek to significantly scale back their business.
HF 2019 changes where candidates for school district offices must file nomination papers in Iowa. Instead of submitting to school board secretaries, candidates must now file with county commissioners of elections, with specific deadlines: 42 days before regular school elections, 25 days before special elections, and 5 working days for objections. This affects candidates, school boards, and county election officials who handle filings and objections. The bill also clarifies procedures for handling withdrawn candidates, vacancies, and objections to nominations.
This bill requires Iowa county election commissioners to label every ballot cast in primary and general elections with the method used to submit it. The label must specify whether the ballot was cast in person on election day, in person before election day, by mail (non-military/overseas), by mail under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (military), or by mail under that act (overseas citizens). The state election commissioner must create rules to implement these labeling requirements through existing administrative procedures. This directly affects county election offices and provides voters with clear information about how ballots were submitted.
HF 2056 requires Iowa's public health department to establish a standing order allowing pharmacists to dispense hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to patients aged 18 or older upon direct request, without a prescription. Pharmacists must provide manufacturer instructions but cannot require a prescription, appointment, or record the patient encounter. The bill grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to pharmacists and the health department medical director for dispensing under this order. It directly affects patients seeking these medications and pharmacists who dispense them under the new protocol.
SF 2047 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for covered insulin prescriptions at $25 per prescription for a 31-day supply. This applies to four specific insulin types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. The law affects insured individuals with diabetes who use covered insulin drugs under qualifying health plans, effective January 1, 2027. It does not apply to certain specialized coverage like Medicare supplements or short-term medical plans.
SF 2077 amends Iowa's absentee voting rules to clarify how voters must return ballots. It requires absentee ballots to be mailed in specific envelopes (affidavit, delivery, and return envelopes) with matching serial numbers, and sets a 5:00 p.m. deadline the day before elections for returns - either by mail with postmark/barcode proof or in person. This directly affects registered voters requesting absentee ballots, ensuring their votes are counted if returned by the deadline. The bill standardizes the envelope system and return process without changing voter eligibility or ballot content.
HF 2085 regulates the legal use of psilocybin (magic mushroom compounds) in Iowa. It creates a framework for licensed medical providers to recommend psilocybin treatment and for qualified therapy providers to administer it, directly affecting healthcare professionals and patients seeking this therapy. Key provisions require psilocybin production facilities and therapy providers to implement real-time tracking systems for all psilocybin products, maintain secure facilities with video monitoring, and follow strict handling protocols. The bill also defines critical terms like "qualified medical provider" and "psilocybin administration session" to establish clear legal boundaries for the program.
This bill changes how excess energy credits are handled for customers with rooftop solar or other small-scale renewable energy systems (distributed generation). Under the new rule, unused credits must stay in a customer's account to offset future electricity bills until the customer specifically requests a cash-out or discontinues service. Previously, credits were automatically cashed out annually at the utility's avoided cost rate, splitting the funds between the customer and a low-income energy program. Customers now choose a January or April cash-out date when connecting their system, but credits remain available for future use without automatic payout.
