Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2427: A bill for an act relating to the request for redaction of personally identifiable information from electronic documents displayed for public access by county assessors and county recorders.

HF 2427 updates Iowa law to allow additional officials to request removal of their names from public online documents maintained by county assessors and recorders. Currently, law enforcement personnel can request this redaction; the bill adds U.S. Senators, Representatives, statewide elected officials, state legislators, and local partisan elected officials to that list. County offices must redact the requester's name from electronic documents displayed online upon such a request. This change directly affects those officials seeking to protect their personal information in public records.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2312: A bill for an act relating to manufacturers and distributors of 340B drugs.

SF 2312 clarifies Iowa's rules for manufacturers and distributors of 340B drugs, which are medications sold at discounted prices under a federal program. The bill defines key terms like "340B drug" (a federally discounted drug purchased by safety-net health facilities) and prohibits manufacturers or distributors from interfering with a covered entity’s acquisition of these drugs or their delivery to contract pharmacies. This directly affects drug manufacturers and wholesale distributors operating in Iowa, requiring them to allow normal access to 340B drugs unless federal health officials prohibit it. The law aims to ensure consistent access to discounted medications for clinics and hospitals serving low-income patients.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2347: A bill for an act relating to city emergency medical services property tax levies.

SF 2347 allows Iowa cities to establish a property tax fund for emergency medical services (EMS) after voter approval. Cities must meet specific conditions: they cannot have an existing EMS district (Chapter 357G), participate in an emergency response district (Chapter 357J), or be in a county already levying a similar tax under Chapter 422D. The bill authorizes cities to impose a maximum property tax rate of $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed value, subject to a 60% voter approval threshold at a city election. This fund would cover EMS costs, including those listed in Chapter 422D.6, and the tax can be terminated using the same voter approval process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2346: A bill for an act allowing certain cities to opt out of the municipal fire and police retirement system.

This bill allows cities in Iowa with fewer than 10,000 residents to opt out of the statewide municipal fire and police retirement system. Current firefighters and police officers hired before a city's opt-out decision remain in the system, while new hires after the opt-out join the Iowa public employees' retirement system instead. The change applies only to cities under 10,000 population and does not affect existing members' benefits. It modifies retirement system participation rules without altering current members' coverage.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2324: A bill for an act relating to customer classes for large energy use facilities, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2324 creates a new customer class for large energy use facilities in Iowa, defined as facilities using 20+ megawatts primarily engaged in specific commercial services (NAICS 518210). It requires the utilities commission to establish separate rates and charges for these facilities, directly assigning their service costs and preventing unfair cost-shifting to other customers. The bill mandates that any approved rates must ensure equitable contributions to grid reliability and avoid increasing costs for non-large facility customers. This applies only to facilities built or expanded on or after January 1, 2027.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2588: A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.

HF 2588 creates a pilot program allowing eligible inmates to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who demonstrate good behavior and meet certification requirements. The program aims to address statewide operator shortages while providing vocational training and post-release employment pathways, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation during fiscal year 2026-2027. The program requires annual reporting on participant outcomes and expires January 16, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2577: A bill for an act relating to property taxes and local government funding by modifying the methodology for determining actual value of property, certain levy rates, bonding procedures, assessment protests, and assessment limitations of certain classes of property, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2577 modifies Iowa's property tax system to limit annual increases in taxable property values. For residential, commercial, and industrial properties, it prohibits value increases exceeding the prior year's value (2027-2029) or an inflation-linked factor (2030+), unless specific changes occur like ownership shifts, boundary adjustments, or major improvements over 5% of current value. The bill requires assessors to base values on fair market value using standard appraisal methods while restricting consideration of business financial data for commercial/industrial properties. These changes directly affect property owners and local governments relying on property tax revenue for funding. The bill also includes retroactive provisions for certain tax years.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2480: A bill for an act providing for a veterans’ benefits and services poster for employers to display in the workplace.

HF 2480 requires Iowa employers with 50+ full-time employees to display a poster in the workplace providing veterans with key resources. The poster, created by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in coordination with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, must include information on mental health services, education/training programs, tax benefits, vehicle registration, unemployment insurance, and legal services. Employers must display the poster in an easy-to-see location accessible to all employees. This bill directly affects covered employers and ensures veterans have clear access to available benefits and services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2573: A bill for an act relating to grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures.

This bill creates a grant program for public buildings over 20,000 square feet (including schools, hospitals, public housing, and government facilities) to cover 100% of costs for mechanical insulation upgrades. Applicants receive a free energy audit from a certified contractor to identify missing or damaged insulation, then get grants covering all qualified materials and labor for installing insulation on pipes, HVAC systems, and equipment. The program requires specific state funding to operate and is administered by Iowa's Economic Development Authority. Grants are limited to projects that improve energy efficiency through proper mechanical insulation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HR 106: A resolution urging the members of Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act to allow medically retired service members to receive full access to their much-deserved retirement pay and benefits.

This resolution (HR 106) urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would change current rules affecting medically retired veterans. It directly impacts approximately 50,000 service members who retired before completing 20 years of service due to medical conditions and have a disability rating below 50% - they currently lose $1 of retirement pay for every $1 of disability pay received. The resolution does not change the law itself but calls for Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would eliminate this offset and allow these veterans to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits. It is a symbolic action, not a policy change, referencing the case of Major Richard Star, an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran who died of burn pit-related lung cancer.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2589: A bill for an act relating to the taxation of religious institutions and societies.

HF 2589 modifies Iowa's property tax exemption rules for religious institutions. It states that for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, an IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter will be conclusive proof that a religious institution qualifies for property tax exemption. The bill also clarifies that property tax exemptions remain valid after property transfers if the property continues to be used for religious purposes, and requires county recorders to notify both parties about exemption continuation requirements. This primarily affects religious organizations seeking property tax relief in Iowa.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2586: A bill for an act relating to temporary restricted licenses issued to persons whose driver’s license is suspended.

HF 2586 changes Iowa's temporary restricted license (TRL) program for people with suspended noncommercial driver's licenses. It allows the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue a TRL if the applicant completes a driver improvement course, replacing current restrictions that limited driving to specific places and times. Under the new rule, TRL holders can drive anywhere permitted for a regular class C license, not just to work or medical appointments. Existing TRL holders issued before July 1, 2026, are exempt from the new course requirement and maintain their current restrictions. The bill does not affect TRL rules for certain violations like DUI or commercial driving restrictions.

Bill results