HF 960 expands Iowa's sales tax exemption to cover all purchases of central office or transmission equipment used by telecom companies providing commercial services, removing the prior requirement that such equipment be "primarily" used for those services. It directly affects local carriers, cable operators, municipal utilities, cooperatives, and other telecom providers that offer commercial telecommunications services. The key change broadens the existing tax exemption to include all qualifying equipment purchases, meaning these businesses will pay no sales tax on such equipment (and no use tax under Iowa law). This policy change simplifies the exemption without adding new regulations or costs to the state.
This bill establishes a new fee structure for wire transmissions, which are defined as money transfers sent to or from locations outside the United States. Financial institutions and their authorized representatives must collect a $5 fee for transfers of $500 or less, plus an additional 2% charge on amounts exceeding $500. The collected fees are submitted quarterly to the state Department of Revenue, with 10% directed to the office to combat human trafficking and the remainder deposited into the state's general fund. The Department of Revenue, working with the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for enforcing compliance, and may recommend license suspensions or revocations for non-payment.
This bill establishes a Choose Iowa school purchasing program that matches school district spending on local agricultural products with state funding, allowing schools to purchase meat, poultry, dairy, grains, eggs, honey, and produce from Iowa farms at a one-to-one reimbursement rate. It also creates a Choose Iowa food bank purchasing program that provides matching funds to Iowa food banks and emergency feeding organizations for similar local food purchases, with a cap of $50,000 per organization annually. The legislation authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to administer these programs, set membership criteria for participating farms and businesses, and use up to 5% of program funds for administrative costs. Additionally, the bill allocates $1.75 million annually to support renewable fuel infrastructure for retail motor fuel sites and $150,000 for program administration.
HF 970 allocates $1 million for Iowa's Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fresh produce at farmers markets and grocery stores. It requires grant recipients to match funds dollar-for-dollar and ensures the funds remain available beyond the fiscal year. The bill also seeks federal approval to restrict SNAP-eligible foods to healthy items like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This food eligibility change would take effect only after the USDA approves the modification. The program funding becomes effective upon federal approval of the food rules.
SF 657 modifies the state's tax credit system by creating new credits, changing existing ones, and eliminating some tax incentive programs. It establishes penalties for failing to comply with these tax credit rules and specifies when the changes take effect, including retroactive application to prior tax years. This bill directly affects businesses and individuals who claim tax credits under the state's finance code. Signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025, it changes how taxpayers access and qualify for state tax incentives.
SF 167 is a school funding bill that establishes the state's funding increase rates for the budget year beginning July 1, 2025, covering both general and specific categorical programs. It modifies provisions related to property tax replacement payments, which help offset local property taxes for schools. The bill also adjusts the regular program state cost per pupil, which is the base amount of state funding provided for each student. Finally, it modifies funding mechanisms for shared operational functions among school districts.
HF 1022 proposes to exempt the sale of laundry soap and detergent from the state's sales tax. This change would directly affect consumers by reducing the cost of purchasing these household items. The bill amends existing state code to specifically remove sales tax from laundry soap and detergent, an exemption that would also apply to use tax.
This bill modifies how criminal case fines collected within a county are distributed, reducing the percentages allocated to the state court administrator and county treasurer. It establishes a new "victim restitution fund" in the state treasury, which will receive 7% of these collected fines. The fund is dedicated to providing restitution for crime victims, covering "pecuniary damages" and restitution for the death of a victim, as defined by existing law. Monies in this fund will remain available for expenditure year-to-year and will not revert at the close of a fiscal year.
HF 1019 is a bill that exempts the sale of toilet paper from sales tax in Iowa. This means that consumers purchasing toilet paper would no longer pay the state's sales tax on these items. The bill amends Section 423.3 of the Code 2025 to add toilet paper to the list of sales tax exemptions. Due to existing state law, this exemption also applies to the use tax on toilet paper.
HF 1021 proposes to exempt the sale of dietary supplements from sales tax in Iowa. This bill amends existing law to include dietary supplements, such as vitamins and minerals, within the category of "food and food ingredients" that are not subject to sales tax. As a result, consumers purchasing these products would no longer pay sales tax. The exemption would also apply to the state's use tax.
