This bill amends Iowa's definition of "qualified education expenses" for state tax-advantaged savings plans. It aligns Iowa's definition with specific federal Internal Revenue Code sections (529(e)(3) and 529(c)(7)), expanding covered expenses to include elementary/secondary school tuition, registered apprenticeship program costs, and principal/interest payments on qualified education loans for beneficiaries or their siblings. The change directly affects Iowa residents using the state's educational savings plan trust (Code chapter 12D) by clarifying which education costs qualify for tax benefits. The bill removes an outdated reference to a specific federal amendment while updating the definition to match current federal guidelines.
This bill amends Iowa's school infrastructure funding law to allow school districts to use SAVE Fund money for increased insurance costs tied to hiring individuals with professional permits to carry weapons under Iowa Code §724.6(1)(a)(3). It directly affects school districts by expanding the definition of "school infrastructure" to include these specific insurance expenses. The key mechanism is updating the statutory definition to explicitly cover such costs, making them eligible for reimbursement from the SAVE Fund. The bill does not create new requirements but clarifies existing fund usage for a defined category of insurance expenses.
SF 2007 increases the supplementary funding weight for Iowa school districts that share the operational functions of a school resource officer with a political subdivision (such as a city or county) for at least 20% of the school year. The bill raises the weight from two to five pupils per shared function, providing additional state funding to eligible districts to redirect resources toward student programming. This change applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects school districts meeting the sharing criteria. The policy clarifies that districts may qualify for this increased funding even if the shared functions differ between the district and the political subdivision.
HF 2051 adds "school and career specialists" to the list of positions school districts can share with other entities (like other districts or political subdivisions) to qualify for extra state funding. It directly affects Iowa school districts that share these specialists for at least 20% of the school year. The key provision assigns each shared school and career specialist role a supplementary weighting equivalent to funding for two additional students, increasing resources for districts that collaborate on these services. This policy targets specialists who support at-risk students with career planning, life skills, and postsecondary transitions.
HF 2183 redirects excise taxes collected on aircraft sales from the state's general fund into the state aviation fund. Specifically, it changes the deposit of the 6% use tax on aircraft purchased for use in Iowa (subject to registration) from the general fund to the aviation fund. Moneys in the aviation fund are designated for airport engineering studies, construction or improvements, and marketing programs at public and commercial airports. This bill directly affects the allocation of revenue from aircraft sales, ensuring these funds support aviation infrastructure rather than general state spending.
This bill imposes a 15% annual tax on the endowment value exceeding $250 million for Iowa public universities (governed by the state board of regents) and accredited private colleges. The tax revenue from public institutions funds Iowa’s workforce grant incentive program, while private colleges’ tax revenue supports a new "high-wage and high-demand jobs" account within the tuition grants fund. This account supplements tuition grants for students enrolled in private colleges studying in fields identified as high-wage and high-demand by the workforce development board. The bill also limits management fees on endowments to 1% of endowment value annually.
SF 2085 regulates "event-driven contracts" - financial bets on specific events like sports outcomes or elections traded on digital markets. It requires these markets to obtain a $10 million initial permit and pay $100,000 annually to operate in Iowa. A 20% tax is imposed on the market's "adjusted revenues" (total fees minus payouts, weighted by Iowa trader participation), with tax revenue deposited into the state general fund. The bill also adjusts Iowa income tax rules to treat these contracts differently from federal tax treatment, excluding them from certain federal tax calculations. It explicitly excludes existing systems like horse racing wagering (Chapter 99D), fantasy sports (Chapter 99E), and sports betting (Chapter 99F).
HF 2011 imposes new taxes on alternative nicotine products (like nicotine pouches or gums) and vapor products (including e-cigarettes and vaping devices), with the revenue funding the new Iowa Cancer Research Fund. The bill directly affects businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell these products by requiring them to pay additional taxes. The tax revenue will be deposited into a separate fund managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which cannot be used for general state expenses. Funds from this account will only support cancer research in Iowa starting July 1, 2027, and must be distributed through a formal application process developed by the department.
HF 2092 expands Iowa's statewide preschool program to include eligible five-year-olds who turn five between March 15 and September 15 of the school year, in addition to existing four-year-olds. It modifies eligibility rules so children must be four by September 15 (or five by that date for the new group) to qualify for state funding, and clarifies that children already counted for funding in prior years cannot be counted again. The bill also updates compulsory attendance rules to treat enrolled preschoolers as school-age, and changes references to "four-year-olds" to "young children" throughout related statutes. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2027.
SF 2134 updates Iowa's gambling laws to clarify social gambling rules and establish a new licensing system for poker card rooms. It expands social gambling to include card and parlor games like poker, bridge, and checkers (previously limited to games of skill), while creating a separate category for licensed poker venues. These venues must operate exclusively with poker variants (e.g., Texas hold 'em), charge a "rake" fee (capped by the gaming commission), and follow strict regulations on licensing, facility standards, and anti-money laundering measures. The bill directly affects social gamblers playing permitted games and operators seeking licenses for poker-only rooms, with licensing fees deposited into the state general fund.
