Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2484: A bill for an act creating a permit transparency program under the administration of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing.

HF 2484 creates a public online portal managed by Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to track permit applications. It requires all state agencies issuing permits (like building or business licenses) to map their processes, set clear timelines, and integrate with the portal. The portal must let applicants track applications, view fees and processing times, submit documents electronically, and access historical data. Agencies must also conduct an audit within 180 days to identify unnecessary permits or redundant steps for potential elimination. This directly affects agencies and applicants by making permit processes more visible and standardized.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HJR 2009: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa limiting years of service for members of the general assembly and certain statewide elected officials.

HJR 2009 proposes a constitutional amendment limiting lifetime service for specific Iowa elected officials to 24 years total across all covered positions. It would prevent individuals from being elected or appointed to offices including governor, state legislators, attorney general, or statewide executive roles if they have already served 24 years in any combination of those offices. The amendment must first be approved by the next Iowa General Assembly (92nd) before being submitted to voters for ratification. This bill directly affects current and future officeholders in these specific state positions.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2208: A bill for an act relating to the prohibition of geoengineering activities, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2208 prohibits specific weather manipulation activities in Iowa, including cloud seeding and "polluting atmospheric activity" (defined as deliberate discharges of substances like chemicals or radiation intended to alter weather). It directly affects individuals or entities conducting such activities within the state, such as weather modification projects or certain industrial operations. The bill establishes penalties: violating the prohibition is a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines between $1,025 and $10,245, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The Iowa Department of Public Safety can issue immediate cease-and-desist orders carrying the weight of a court order upon suspicion of violations. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2463: A bill for an act relating to the operation of state government, including the commencement of audits, information made available to the auditor of state, and disputes between governmental agencies.

HF 2463 clarifies the auditor of state's access to government information, allowing review of confidential records (with exceptions for individual tax returns and health data identifying people with reportable diseases). It requires most audit reports to be public, while protecting sensitive details from disclosure without consent. The bill also removes a prior requirement that disputes between state agencies must be resolved by a binding arbitration board within 60 days. These changes streamline audit processes and simplify inter-agency dispute resolution.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2477: A bill for an act relating to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and commercial carriers, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2477 requires commercial drivers in Iowa to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to understand safety instructions, read logs and signs, and communicate safety information. Drivers failing this assessment face an immediate out-of-service order, while commercial carriers employing such drivers face $100,000 civil penalties per violation, escalating to "high-risk" designation with increased inspections and permit restrictions for repeated offenses. The bill also mandates English comprehension during winter emergency conditions, including electronic acknowledgment of advisories and understanding emergency routing. These provisions apply neutrally to all drivers regardless of origin or license state, aiming to enhance highway safety through enforceable language standards.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2331: A bill for an act establishing a classroom supply stipend for certain public school teachers, and making appropriations.

This bill establishes a $250 annual stipend for eligible public school teachers in Iowa, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Eligible teachers are those providing primarily in-person instruction and employed by a school district before the school year begins. The stipend must be paid automatically by school districts by September 15 each year and can only be used for classroom supplies directly supporting student learning (e.g., books, technology, materials), not personal items. Funding comes from the state general fund, and the stipend is exempt from Iowa income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2540: A bill for an act relating to computer science and artificial intelligence education, including high school curricula and graduation requirements, and practitioner preparation programs, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2540 requires Iowa high schools to offer at least one semester of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) instruction to satisfy graduation requirements, beginning with the 2030-2031 graduating class. The bill mandates that all courses include foundational AI concepts, how AI works, and its societal and ethical impacts. Schools must provide this instruction starting in 2022 (for grade-level offerings), and the state must publish approved course lists and a teacher-training plan by 2027, with special support for small schools. This directly affects all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic high schools and their students, integrating AI education into graduation standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HJR 2011: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to benefits accrued under public retirement systems.

HJR 2011 proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa to protect public retirement benefits. It would declare that membership in state or local government retirement systems creates an enforceable contract, making accrued retirement benefits (those earned by employees) legally protected from future reductions or changes. This amendment, if approved by voters, would build on existing constitutional language about contracts to specifically shield retirement benefits. The bill does not alter current benefits but prevents future legislative action that could diminish them. The resolution must first pass the legislature and be ratified by Iowa voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2528: A bill for an act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.

HF 2528 requires Iowa's workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education to address cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. It mandates K-12 public schools to develop cyber/AI literacy standards, establishes partnerships between colleges and private industry for internships and degree programs, and creates a grant program for training (subject to funding). The bill also directs the state board to set statewide education standards, create a voluntary school certification program for AI/cyber compliance, and requires the education department to launch a community awareness initiative with digital resources and targeted outreach for groups like seniors and law enforcement. These provisions directly affect Iowa students, educators, schools, and professionals seeking career transitions in cyber/AI fields.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2238: A bill for an act relating to public records, including the duties of lawful custodians.

SF 2238 clarifies public records procedures by defining "original government bodies" (the agency that created or maintains a record) and "secondary lawful custodians" (entities physically holding records provided by the original agency, like libraries or contractors). It allows secondary custodians to refer disclosure requests to the original agency for a decision, requires them to notify requesters of this deferral, and prohibits them from independently determining if records are confidential. The bill protects secondary custodians from legal liability (like lawsuits or fees) when reasonably relying on the original agency’s guidance. This affects secondary custodians handling public records but does not change disclosure standards or directly impact the public.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2483: A bill for an act relating to towing or impounding vehicles, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2483 regulates towing and impounding of vehicles in Iowa, directly affecting tow companies and property owners (like parking lot operators). It requires tow operators to obtain owner consent before towing (with safety exceptions), post clear signage, document vehicles with photos, and maintain detailed records. The bill limits fees (no storage charge for the first 24 hours, max $20 if towing stops early), mandates 24-hour owner notifications with location and fee details, and requires tow companies to display rates and provide complaint instructions. Vehicle owners gain rights to record towing actions, retrieve personal property without fees, and receive itemized billing.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2449: A bill for an act authorizing school districts to enter into agreements with cities and counties for the purpose of jointly procuring a group health insurance plan, nonprofit group hospital service plan, nonprofit group medical service plan, or group life insurance plan.

HF 2449 allows Iowa school districts to partner with cities and counties to jointly purchase group health insurance, nonprofit hospital plans, nonprofit medical plans, or group life insurance for their employees. Currently, school districts can only partner with other school districts or area education agencies for these plans, but this bill expands that option to include municipal and county governments. The key change is amending Iowa Code 279.12 to explicitly permit these new agreements, while clarifying they won't be classified as federal "multiple employer welfare arrangements." This directly affects school districts, cities, and counties seeking cost-effective health insurance solutions for their workforce.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results