Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2418: A bill for an act providing for county control of the siting and management of confinement feeding operations.

HF 2418 gives Iowa counties new authority to regulate the location and management of large confinement feeding operations (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 swine). Counties can now adopt siting ordinances requiring board approval before construction or expansion of such facilities, including setting stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law. The bill specifically affects developers and operators of large confinement feeding operations, while exempting smaller agricultural structures under existing farm exemptions. It does not replace state environmental permits but adds a new layer of county approval for siting decisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2431: A bill for an act relating to officers of county central committees.

This bill amends Iowa Code 43.101 to rename one county central committee officer position from "co-chair" to "vice chair." It does not change the duties, responsibilities, or election process for this role. The change applies solely to the title used for this specific officer position within local county central committees. This is a purely procedural update with no substantive policy impact.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2417: A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations by providing for certain air and water quality regulations, including when two or more related confinement feeding operations are deemed to be a single operation, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill clarifies when multiple livestock feeding operations must be treated as a single entity for environmental regulations. It defines "related operations" as facilities within 2,500 feet sharing manure systems, roads, water wells, or property ownership under common management. Operations meeting these criteria must combine their size calculations for regulatory purposes, including compliance with distance requirements for expansion. The law specifically prevents expanding related operations without meeting applicable distance standards. It directly affects large-scale livestock farms operating multiple facilities under shared management or infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HSB 698: A bill for an act relating to standards for settlement of certain motor vehicle insurance claims.

This bill sets new rules for how insurers pay for vehicle repairs after accidents. It requires property insurers (covering the insured's own car) to use only locally available aftermarket parts (from distributors within 100 miles of the repair shop) when settling first-party claims involving those parts. For third-party claims (like when another driver's insurance covers your car), insurers must pay for original manufacturer parts unless the car owner gives written consent to use aftermarket parts, and the insurer agrees to cover necessary modifications and any liability claims related to those parts. These rules directly affect car owners, insurers, and repair facilities by standardizing payment methods and requiring specific consent for alternative parts.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SJR 2009: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to corporate participation in the political process.

SJR 2009 proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa that prohibits corporations from making financial contributions or participating in election campaigns, ballot measures, or political committee activities. It specifically exempts corporations formed to create, sell, or operate election equipment. The amendment would require voter approval after legislative referral, as it seeks to amend the state constitution. This change directly affects all Iowa corporations engaging in political spending, excluding only election technology businesses. The bill does not alter existing laws governing corporate activities beyond political participation.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2077: A bill for an act authorizing the expenditure of funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund for certain insurance costs.

HF 2077 modifies Iowa's education funding rules to allow school districts to use money from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund for increased insurance costs associated with employing individuals who hold professional permits to carry weapons under state law. The bill expands the definition of "school infrastructure" under the SAVE fund to specifically include these higher insurance premiums. This change directly affects school districts that hire permit holders for security roles, providing funding flexibility for related insurance expenses. The policy change is purely procedural, clarifying eligible uses of existing SAVE fund resources without altering the fund's overall purpose or creating new financial obligations.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2042: A bill for an act requiring the department of management to conduct a study regarding the merger of the department of natural resources and the department of agriculture and land stewardship, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2042 requires Iowa's Department of Management to study merging the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The study must examine overlapping programs, potential cost savings, service impacts, and integration methods like staffing and equipment. The Department of Management must submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill does not create a merger but sets up a review process for potential future action.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2037: A bill for an act requiring an initial appearance before a magistrate on new felony charges by a person on felony probation or parole.

This bill requires individuals on felony probation or parole who are arrested for new felony charges to have an initial court appearance before a magistrate prior to being released under pretrial guidelines or bond schedules. It directly affects people under supervision by Iowa's district department of correctional services who face new felony charges while on probation or parole. The key provision amends Iowa law to mandate this court appearance within 24 hours (or the next business day) after release, overriding current exceptions that allowed such individuals to be released without immediate court review. The bill does not change pretrial release guidelines but ensures judicial oversight for this specific group before they are released.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2108: A bill for an act relating to discipline for nurses unable to speak English proficiently.

HF 2108 would allow Iowa's Board of Nursing to suspend or revoke a nursing license if a licensed nurse cannot speak English proficiently. This bill directly affects licensed nurses in Iowa who lack sufficient English language skills. The key provision amends licensing rules to add "inability to speak English proficiently" as a grounds for disciplinary action by the nursing board. The bill creates a specific policy change regarding language requirements for nursing licensure without specifying additional requirements or penalties.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2100: A bill for an act relating to county zoning of industrial and commercial businesses.

This bill (SF 2100) prevents Iowa counties from banning industrial or commercial businesses operating outside city limits from storing business-related items on their property, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects small, independently owned businesses outside city boundaries that own their property, have no more than one such location in the county, and employ 30 or fewer people. The key provision requires counties to allow storage in a building for these businesses, regardless of local zoning rules, as long as all five conditions (ownership, single location, independent operation, employee limit, and property ownership) are satisfied. The bill does not change zoning rules for businesses within city limits or for larger operations.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2118: A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

HF 2118 establishes a pilot program allowing Iowa voters with disabilities that prevent hand-marking of ballots to independently mark absentee ballots by mail using assistive technology (such as nonvisual or low-vision access tools). It requires the state election commissioner to create rules for the program, including a mail request method for eligible voters. The program must test feasibility across enough counties if not statewide, with annual reports to the legislature. The pilot expires on July 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2032: A bill for an act relating to tax and special assessment collections for buildings or improvements erected on land owned by another person.

This bill (SF 2032) changes how counties collect special assessments for residential buildings or improvements on land leased from another owner. It allows counties to collect unpaid special assessments (like those for street improvements) through tax collection processes for qualifying properties - specifically, residential buildings or improvements valued at $20,000 or more. County treasurers must now send written notice to the landowner before starting tax collection for these properties. It directly affects landlords leasing land to builders and county tax collectors handling residential property assessments.

Bill results