HF 832 requires recreational noodlers (those fishing for catfish using bare hands or feet) to purchase a license. The license restricts noodling to daylight hours, limits harvest to three catfish per license (each at least 10 inches long), and bans special equipment like gloves, scuba gear, or bait. The natural resource commission will establish license fees and duration through rules. Violations carry fines of $35 for unlawful taking or $20 for attempted taking.
SF 354 authorizes the state of Iowa to negotiate purchasing nine specific Minnesota counties (Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, and Houston) from Minnesota. The bill requires Iowa to appoint negotiators, but any agreement would need approval from Iowa’s legislature and governor, Minnesota’s legislature, the U.S. Congress, a constitutional amendment in Iowa, and funds for the purchase. This is a procedural step to initiate negotiations, not a final transfer of land. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but would require multiple legislative and constitutional steps before any land could be transferred.
SF 582 primarily updates Iowa's child foster care system. It clarifies that licensed foster care providers (including individual licensees) hold decision-making authority for children in their care under the "reasonable and prudent parent standard" when determining participation in activities like sports or school events. The bill also defines "fictive kin" (meaningful non-relative caregivers) and specifies that relatives or fictive kin caring for children don't require licensing if not under department supervision. These changes directly affect foster care providers, children in foster care, and the Department of Human Services in administering foster care placements.
HSB 327 allocates federal block grant funds for Iowa's health programs, primarily directing them to the Department of Health and Human Services for substance abuse treatment, community mental health services, maternal/child health, and preventive health. The bill specifies exact annual funding amounts (e.g., $14.1 million for substance abuse treatment annually) and mandates that at least 20% of substance abuse funds support prevention programs. It requires strict spending rules, including limits on administrative costs (5% for substance abuse, 5% for mental health, 10% for maternal health) and minimum funding levels for services for pregnant women and children. The bill also prohibits using maternal health funds for indirect costs at the University of Iowa and requires coordination between health agencies to improve care for low-income women and children.
HF 761 allows alcohol manufacturers licensed in Iowa or another state to ship alcoholic beverages directly to Iowa residents who are 21+ for personal use. To do this, manufacturers must obtain a new "alcoholic liquor direct shipper license" ($25 fee) and comply with strict limits: shipping no more than 9 liters per person annually if producing over 150,000 proof gallons nationally, or up to 150,000 gallons per year for smaller producers. The bill requires proper labeling ("CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21+ REQUIRED"), registration with Iowa’s department, and shipping through licensed carriers. Manufacturers must also pay a 50% fee on the wholesale price of shipped alcohol to the state.
HF 983 revises Iowa's landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures. It defines "rent" to include base rent, utilities, late fees, and other payments in rental agreements, and changes mail notice timing to be completed four days after mailing (regardless of weekends or holidays). The bill makes prohibited terms in rental agreements unenforceable, allowing tenants to recover actual damages and attorney fees if landlords enforce them. Additionally, it updates notice requirements to mandate posting on dwelling doors and dual mailings (regular and certified), and adds rules for sealing court records in eviction cases after seven years without subsequent evictions.
HF 30 creates a tax deduction for Iowa law firms representing indigent clients in specific court-appointed cases. It directly affects eligible law firms with two or more attorneys (who practice at least half the year) and attorneys licensed for fewer than 10 years, for cases appointed on or after July 1, 2025. The deduction equals the difference between $150 per hour (or the firm's actual rate) and the state's standard hourly rate ($76-$86) for such cases, calculated based on the firm's pro rata share. The deduction applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025.
HF 955 bars state agency employees from using official materials (like badges, uniforms, or work email) when engaging in non-work activities involving legislators. It directly affects all state agency employees, including those in departments, commissions, and community colleges, by adding them to the ethics committees' jurisdiction for violations. The bill creates penalties for violations, classifying them as serious misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and fines between $430-$2,560. Key mechanisms include requiring complaints about violations to be filed with ethics committees and mandating clear evidence for findings of guilt. The bill applies to all state agencies except agricultural commodity boards.
HF 402 requires all students earning a bachelor's degree at Iowa's public colleges and universities to complete a three-credit survey course on American history and civil government beginning in the 2027 academic year. The course must cover U.S. founding documents (like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence), the historical development of American government, constitutional principles, and landmark Supreme Court cases. It must fulfill general education social science requirements and cannot be repeated if a student transfers between Iowa public institutions. The bill aims to ensure all graduates have foundational knowledge of U.S. governance and civic history.
HF 791 requires Iowa school districts to implement firearm safety instruction for students. By July 2026, the state must develop and distribute age-appropriate model programs: kindergarten through grade six must use the NRA's Eddie Eagle program, while grades seven through twelve must use the NRA's hunter education course. School districts must offer these courses to all students in grades seven through twelve (including nonpublic school students in the district), allowing non-licensed instructors and off-campus locations. The bill specifies that implementation costs will be covered by existing state school foundation aid, with no new state funding required.
HF 878 caps the annual percentage rate (APR) for "delayed deposit service transactions" (like check-cashing services) at 36% for all consumers. It prohibits businesses offering these services from charging higher rates, and any transaction violating this cap is void - meaning businesses cannot collect any fees, interest, or principal. The bill also extends a lower rate cap to active-duty military members, their spouses, and dependents, aligning with federal military protection laws (10 U.S.C. §987). This directly affects licensed businesses in Iowa providing these financial services and their customers.
HF 700 requires landlords in Iowa rental properties to address elevated radon levels detected by tenants. Tenants may test for radon or hire a certified professional; if results show 4 picocuries per liter or higher (the EPA action level), they must notify the landlord in writing. Landlords must then arrange a confirmatory test, and if radon remains at or above that level, install a certified radon mitigation system within 90 days, followed by retesting. If landlords fail to install mitigation or radon levels persist, tenants may terminate their lease with full rent and deposit refunds, no penalties, and written notice. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Iowa housing by establishing clear radon testing, mitigation, and lease termination procedures.
