This bill (HF 900) requires Iowa school districts to include standards for serving English learners when defining "insufficient classroom space" for open enrollment decisions. It directly affects school districts that must approve or deny student transfers based on space availability. The key change amends existing law to mandate that districts’ space definitions specifically address their capacity to provide instruction to English learners - defined as students needing extra support to succeed in English-only classrooms. This ensures space decisions consider the needs of students learning English, without altering open enrollment approval requirements.
HF 896 increases the maximum driving distance for minors with special restricted licenses who participate in open enrollment. Specifically, it raises the limit from 25 miles to 40 miles between a student’s home and school for these students. This change applies only to minors enrolled in open enrollment programs under section 282.18 of Iowa law. Current law already allows unlimited distance for students attending public school within their district, but this bill extends the 40-mile limit to open enrollment participants. The bill does not alter other restrictions or penalties for violating driving limits.
HF 473 allows registered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road utility vehicles (ORVs) to operate on public hunting areas **only** for transporting a lawfully taken deer carcass out of the area. It requires all operators and passengers to wear blaze orange apparel (like vests or jackets) until the carcass is removed. This change modifies existing rules that generally prohibit ATV/ORV use on public hunting lands, except for this specific purpose. The bill does not alter broader prohibitions on ATV/ORV use elsewhere or change penalties for violations of other rules.
HF 764 restricts how local authorities collect fines from automated speed enforcement systems (like radar or cameras) in Iowa. It prohibits local governments from using third-party collectors for these civil fines and excludes unpaid fines from being deducted from tax refunds or other government payments. The law applies to contracts renewed after the bill's effective date and to all unpaid fines on or after that date, regardless of when the violation occurred. This bill directly affects local authorities and residents who receive citations from automated speed detection systems.
HF 888 modifies Iowa's education laws to clarify requirements for private instruction, world language teaching, and dual enrollment. It requires parents of children in private instruction to submit detailed course outlines, immunization records, and blood lead tests (for elementary students) by September 1st, and defines "independent private instruction" with specific limits (e.g., max four unrelated students, no tuition). The bill mandates that students in private instruction be registered for dual enrollment in public schools, allowing participation in academic and extracurricular activities. It also establishes that diplomas from private instruction programs are treated equally to public school diplomas, and prohibits altering grammatical gender in world language instruction (e.g., Spanish, French) when taught. These changes directly affect homeschooling families, private instruction providers, and public schools.
This is a procedural bill (HJR 11) from Iowa's legislature requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose three specific amendments: imposing fiscal restraints on federal spending, limiting federal government power and jurisdiction over states, and establishing term limits for members of Congress and federal officials. Iowa's application is a formal request to Congress to convene such a convention, with the resolution stating it remains active until two-thirds of states apply or Iowa withdraws. The bill does not change current law but initiates a state-level process to potentially trigger a national constitutional amendment effort.
This bill (HF 311) modifies governance rules for state banks in Iowa. It requires state bank boards to have at least three directors who reside in Iowa (replacing the current requirement for a majority of Iowa residents), while maintaining the existing requirement that all directors be U.S. citizens. The bill also adds a new provision mandating that boards hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter, in addition to the existing requirement of nine meetings per year. These changes directly affect all state banks operating under Iowa law by altering their board composition and meeting schedules.
HF 950 expands Iowa's definition of "medical cannabidiol" to include vaporizable forms of cannabis flowers (like dried raw cannabis for vaping). It requires dispensaries to follow packaging rules for these vaporizable products and prohibits selling inhalable medical CBD to anyone under 21. The bill also mandates that patient and caregiver registration cards include a statement limiting THC possession to the amount authorized for a 90-day period, and updates legal defenses for possession cases to require adherence to this limit. The law explicitly states it does not affect hemp products regulated under Chapter 204.
HF 635 extends the waiting period before a driver's license revocation takes effect following an operating-while-intoxicated (OWI) violation or refusal to take a chemical test. It changes the effective date from 10 days to 20 days after the Department of Transportation mails revocation notice or after a peace officer serves immediate notice. Drivers who face revocation will also receive a temporary license valid for 20 days instead of 10 days if officers serve immediate notice. This bill directly affects Iowa drivers convicted of OWI or who refuse testing, changing the timeline for license suspension without altering hearing request deadlines. The policy change applies to both test refusal cases and those with alcohol/drug test results meeting OWI thresholds.
HF 770 sets specific minimum following distances for drivers based on highway speed limits: 50 feet at 35 mph or slower, 100 feet for 35-55 mph, 150 feet for 55-65 mph, and 200 feet for speeds over 65 mph. The bill directly affects all drivers operating vehicles in the same lane and direction, requiring them to maintain these distances under clear conditions. Violations remain a $135 scheduled violation, but additional penalties apply if the violation causes serious injury ($500 fine or 90-day license suspension) or death ($1,000 fine or 180-day suspension). The law amends existing traffic rules to replace vague "reasonable and prudent" standards with clear, speed-based distance requirements.
HF 845 allows Iowa public high schools (grades 9-12) to offer elective social studies courses focused on the Bible's Old and New Testaments, subject to school board approval. School districts must get a recommendation from a school improvement committee and a majority vote from the school board to implement such courses. Courses must teach how biblical content influences modern culture, literature, and society while maintaining religious neutrality - prohibiting endorsement of any faith and requiring students to choose their own Bible translations. The bill affects Iowa high school students and teachers, who must follow state guidelines for course content and professional development.
HF 775 requires medical facilities in Iowa performing medication abortions to post visible signs informing patients that "recent developing research" suggests medication abortions may sometimes be reversed if a patient changes their mind. It mandates physicians to obtain written patient certification confirming they’ve been informed about medication abortion risks, the potential for reversal (with time sensitivity), and resources for reversal, both before the procedure and in written discharge instructions. The bill also directs Iowa’s health department to create online materials about reversal options and prohibits dispensing mifepristone outside healthcare settings. This bill directly affects patients seeking medication abortions and healthcare providers in Iowa, focusing on information requirements rather than altering abortion access.
