This bill establishes a dedicated fund within the Iowa state treasury to finance the construction and infrastructure improvements of state prisons. It creates two specific accounts within this fund: one for building new prisons or replacing old facilities, and another for programs aimed at reducing inmate recidivism, such as mental health care and job training. The funding for these accounts will come from fines, fees, and forfeited bail collected in criminal cases, with specific portions allocated once existing prison bonds are paid off. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to submit annual reports on the status of all infrastructure projects and directs the legislature to form a committee to study the need for additional prison capacity.
This bill establishes the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund within the Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funding received from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund will be used exclusively for purposes authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with interest and earnings remaining in the fund rather than reverting to the general state budget. The Department of Health and Human Services must report quarterly spending details to the General Assembly, including specific city locations where funds are used, and share all federal program reports with the legislature. The fund and its associated provisions will automatically expire on October 1, 2032.
This bill creates a new Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund in Iowa to support the maintenance and improvement of scenic roads across the state. The fund will be financed through voluntary one-dollar contributions collected from vehicle registration applicants and existing state transfers, with all collected money going to the state treasury except for a small portion counties may keep. The state department of transportation will manage the fund to cover costs for litter prevention, upkeep, and development of scenic routes. The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2027, and requires the department to establish rules for administering the program.
House File 1010 establishes an annual authorization fee for certain postsecondary educational institutions in Iowa. This bill requires the college student aid commission to collect a nonrefundable fee from entities that are authorized by the commission but do not currently pay a registration fee. These include institutions exempt from certain registration requirements or those offering educational courses, excluding some driver education providers. The annual fee is $2,000 for entities with a primary location in Iowa and $3,500 for those located outside of Iowa. The commission may increase these fees by up to three percent annually, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
HF 2684 allows Iowa school districts to use specific state funds tied to students enrolled in the education savings account program for any general school purpose starting in 2026, rather than being restricted to teacher salaries, professional development, or leadership programs. These funds, currently designated for limited uses under sections 257.10(9), (10), and (12), would gain full flexibility for districts after July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects school districts receiving these categorical funds from savings account participants. It removes prior requirements for how these funds must be spent, enabling districts to allocate them toward general operational needs like facilities, technology, or other non-specific expenses. The change applies only to funds attributable to resident pupils in the savings account program.
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 628 allocates specific state transportation funds to renovate the Waterloo maintenance garage for Department of Transportation (DOT) employees. It directs money from the road use tax fund, primary road fund, and statutory allocations fund toward this facility upgrade. The bill directly affects DOT maintenance staff working at the Waterloo location by improving their workplace. Signed by the Governor in June 2025, it became law to fund this specific infrastructure project.
HF 1039 allocates funding from Iowa's Rebuild Infrastructure Fund and Technology Reinvestment Fund to cover county costs for furnishing district courthouses. It directly affects county governments by requiring them to use these specific state funds for purchasing or maintaining court furniture and equipment. The bill provides a clear funding mechanism and includes effective date provisions, ensuring counties can access these resources without additional local spending. As a funding bill, it does not create new policies but directs existing state funds toward a specific local government need.
SF 644 is a funding bill that allocates state money to key parts of the justice system. It directly provides resources for legal representation for people who cannot afford an attorney (indigent defense), funds for rebuilding or improving correctional facilities (corrections capital reinvestment), and manages federal funds received by the corrections system (corrections federal receipts fund). The bill specifies how these funds are to be used and when the funding takes effect. It was signed into law by the Governor on June 11, 2025.
HF 980 changes Iowa's unemployment insurance tax system for employers. It reduces the percentage used to calculate taxable wages from 66.66% to 33.33% of the statewide average weekly wage (previously used for maximum benefit calculations), and adjusts the contribution rate tables to lower tax rates for most employers. The bill also requires employers to use any tax savings from these changes to pay employee salaries/benefits or cover seasonal unemployment, rather than keeping the savings. This directly affects all Iowa employers paying unemployment insurance taxes, particularly those with out-of-state workers, by lowering their tax burden under the new structure.
