Iowa Bills

This bill requires general contractors working on private projects in Iowa to obtain a $50,000 performance bond from an authorized surety company before starting work. The bond guarantees payment to the property owner if the contractor fails to complete the project. It does not apply to contractors working for state or local government entities (like cities or school districts) or to projects subject to state competitive bidding rules. Local governments (counties, cities, etc.) are also prohibited from demanding additional bonds beyond this requirement for private work.

This bill requires owners of private sewage systems (serving up to four homes or 16 people) to hire certified technicians for ongoing maintenance and inspections, with annual checks for Class A systems (media-based filters like peat moss) and biannual checks for Class B systems (mechanical systems). It mandates that all inspections be reported to county sanitarians, who will compile results into a public database (excluding personal details). Systems must follow manufacturer specifications, and Class A systems are preferred over Class B for most sites due to lower maintenance needs. The law applies to systems installed after July 1, 2026.

HF 2287 requires vaccine manufacturers to waive federal immunity for injuries caused by vaccine design defects before distributing, selling, or administering vaccines in Iowa. This directly affects vaccine manufacturers operating in the state, as they must affirmatively give up their protection under the federal National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (42 U.S.C. §300aa-1 et seq.) for design defect claims. The bill's key mechanism is that distributing a vaccine in Iowa automatically deems the manufacturer to have waived this immunity for design defect injuries. It does not impact the federal vaccine injury compensation program or immunity for other types of vaccine injuries. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Subcommittee.

HF 2569 allows Iowa cities to recover demolition costs for abandoned buildings from property owners under specific conditions. It requires cities to meet four criteria before recovering costs: the owner failed to demolish after notice, the property is officially abandoned (per §657A.1), property taxes were unpaid for one year, and the property was cited for nuisance issues six times in six months. Cities can seek reimbursement from any owner within the previous five years for demolitions done to address public safety, health, or ongoing nuisance concerns. The bill clarifies that a city’s demolition plan does not prevent a court from granting the city title to the property.

This bill requires Iowa's Supreme Court to create and maintain a compensation and benefits plan specifically for judicial officers (judges), the state court administrator, and court employees. It mandates that the plan sets salaries and benefits within funds approved by the legislature, replacing previous separate salary-setting processes for judges. The plan must include anti-discrimination protections, sexual harassment policies, and grievance procedures for all covered employees. The bill takes effect June 19, 2026, and applies to all judicial branch staff covered under the new framework.

This bill regulates how manure from animal feeding operations (including both confinement operations storing liquid manure and open feedlots) can be applied to land. It requires manure to be injected or incorporated into soil within 24 hours of surface application, prohibits application on saturated, snow-covered, or frozen ground except during specific emergencies, and bans spray irrigation without dilution rules. During emergencies (like storage failures), operators must follow pre-approved protocols, contact the department, apply only on land with low phosphorus risk, and block drain tiles for two weeks. These rules directly affect farmers and ranchers operating animal feeding facilities in Iowa who manage manure application.

SSB 3178 requires wind energy developers in Iowa to conduct mandatory subsurface and environmental surveys by licensed professionals before obtaining construction permits. These surveys assess risks to karst terrain, groundwater, wells, septic systems, and nearby structures, with reports shared publicly and submitted to county boards and state agencies. Developers must also secure third-party insurance covering identified risks (like contamination or structural damage) and obtain a legal opinion confirming the project isn’t a nuisance. Violations carry daily civil penalties of at least $5,000 and allow affected landowners to sue for damages, injunctions, or $10,000 per violation. The bill directly affects wind facility applicants, county permitting bodies, and nearby residents whose properties may face environmental or structural risks.

HSB 719 establishes a competitive grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help schools develop cardiac emergency response plans. It requires participating schools (including public districts, nonpublic schools, and charters) to implement specific safety measures like placing AEDs accessible within three minutes, training staff in CPR/AED use, and conducting annual emergency drills. The grants, funded through a new state treasury account, offset costs for creating these plans but must supplement, not replace, existing school funding. The program applies to all schools starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

SF 2253 requires all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic high schools to mandate that students complete a half-course (equivalent to one semester) of food nutrition and preparation instruction to graduate. This applies to students in grades 9-12, beginning with the 2030-2031 graduating class, though students may fulfill the requirement earlier by taking the course in 7th or 8th grade. The bill specifies that school districts will cover the cost using existing state school foundation aid, with no additional state funding required. It directly affects all Iowa high school students and their schools by adding a new graduation requirement focused on practical nutrition and cooking skills.

This bill (SF 2348) requires Iowa employers (like city councils or county boards) to provide full health insurance coverage at no cost to survivors for two groups: 1. Spouses and children of firefighters or peace officers who died in the line of duty, and 2. Firefighters or peace officers receiving disability benefits due to work-related injuries or disabilities, until age 55. Currently, employers could opt to pay only part of the cost or let survivors cover the difference; this bill eliminates that option. The coverage must continue as existing plans for survivors or be reenrolled for disabled personnel under the employer’s expense.

This bill (SF 2310) requires Iowa's Health and Human Services (HHS) to verify the immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants and recipients before approving or continuing benefits for four specific public assistance programs: SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid (healthcare), FIP (cash assistance), and CHIP (children's health insurance). It mandates using the federal "Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Online" (SAVE) system to check this information. The change applies to both initial eligibility determinations and ongoing eligibility reviews for these programs. The bill does not alter benefit levels or eligibility criteria beyond this verification step.

This Iowa bill (SF 2196) requires auto insurance companies to wait at least 72 hours before settling or attempting to settle a motor vehicle insurance claim after an accident occurs. It directly affects insurance companies operating in Iowa, prohibiting them from processing claims during the initial 72-hour period following an accident. The bill also states that an insurer's obligation to settle claims promptly is paused ("tolled") during this waiting period. Violations could result in civil penalties of $1,000-$50,000 or license suspension for the insurer.