Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 2388: A bill for an act establishing continuing appropriations in fiscal years for which the general assembly does not pass an annual budget.

SF 2388 establishes automatic funding for Iowa state agencies if the legislature fails to pass a new annual budget by July 1. It requires the Department of Management to continue the previous fiscal year's line-item, limited, and unlimited appropriations (excluding one-time projects like infrastructure funds) to the same agencies for the current year. The bill ensures funding levels, staffing authorizations, and budget limitations from the prior year apply automatically, while excluding duplicative budget items. This mechanism prevents government shutdowns due to budget delays, directly affecting all state agencies receiving ongoing appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents budget gaps by automatically continuing prior year's appropriations, ensuring fiscal stability and preventing defunding of state agencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 2264: A bill for an act relating to the minimum per hour wage provided to home health aides under the Medicaid program, and making an appropriation.

HF 2264 sets a minimum hourly wage of $15.20 for home health aides working under Iowa's Medicaid program, effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health agencies to ensure this minimum wage is met. It also appropriates state general funds to cover the cost of these higher reimbursements for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This directly affects home health aides providing Medicaid-covered services and home and community-based waiver services in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state general funds to cover increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health aides, directly funding essential public service compensation under Medicaid program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets $15.20 minimum wage for Medicaid home health aides, requires reimbursement adjustments, and appropriates funds to maintain service quality and workforce stability in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets $15.20 minimum wage for Medicaid home health aides, requires reimbursement adjustments and funds appropriation, directly advancing worker compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Minimum Wage

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2458: A bill for an act establishing the teacher and para-educator grant program within the department of workforce development, and making appropriations.

HF 2458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Workforce Development to help two groups: high school students pursuing a para-educator certificate and associate degree, and current para-educators seeking a bachelor's degree. The program provides financial assistance for education costs and is funded by a $3.5 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-2027. It also allows prior work experience through this grant program to count toward the 14-week student teaching requirement for education students. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to administer the program in consultation with the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $3.5M in new appropriations for educator grants, directly funding workforce development through state budget spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes $3.5M grant program for para-educator/teacher education, funding associate/bachelor's degrees, directly advancing educator workforce development and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides state grants for para-educator/teacher education, funding workforce development and career advancement in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations K-12 Education Teachers Workforce Development

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2246: A bill for an act relating to the military home ownership assistance program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill appropriates $750,000 from Iowa's general fund to the Iowa Finance Authority for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program. It directly assists current and former U.S. military members who qualify under existing law (Iowa Code § 16.54) by supplementing funds for home purchases. The bill ensures unspent funds from this appropriation carry over into the next fiscal year instead of reverting, and it takes effect immediately upon enactment. This is a supplemental funding measure supporting an existing program, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $750,000 from general fund for veterans' home ownership program, directly funding a state-assistance initiative under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill appropriates $750,000 to supplement home purchases for veterans under Iowa Code § 16.54, directly funding veterans' home ownership assistance program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Veteran Housing

Track

died · Iowa · House Apr 29, 2026

HF 2057: A bill for an act providing a standing appropriation to the state board of regents for pediatric cancer research at the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics.

HF 2057 establishes a permanent annual funding stream for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. It appropriates $1 per Iowa resident (based on U.S. Census population estimates), capped at $3 million yearly, from the state general fund. The funds must be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research - including lab work and clinical trials - prohibiting administrative costs or unrelated activities. The state board of regents must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were spent to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects Iowa residents (through funding) and the University of Iowa's pediatric cancer research programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates permanent $3M annual appropriation from state general fund for pediatric cancer research, directly funding a public health program via state budget.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds pediatric cancer research at University of Iowa through dedicated state appropriation, directly advancing healthcare research and treatment options for a critical health issue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Children's Health

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 4, 2026

HF 2167: A bill for an act providing for a buffer strip program and fund, and making appropriations.

HF 2167 establishes a state program to help landowners create buffer strips - permanent vegetation along rivers, streams, and other waterways - to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality. Landowners who enroll in the program will work with the state's soil conservation division to establish and maintain these buffer strips, sharing costs and potentially receiving compensation for income lost during their first year of enrollment. The program is funded by a $5 million annual appropriation from the state general fund, starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, managed through a dedicated fund under the division's control.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M for buffer strip program, directly funding a state conservation initiative through budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes buffer strips to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality - directly advancing environmental protection through conservation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation Water Quality

Track

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5544XD: Criminal Investigations, DNA Submission Requirements and Cold Cases (5544XD) - Attorney General

This bill expands DNA collection requirements in Iowa to include anyone arrested for a felony or aggravated misdemeanor, not just those convicted. It requires these individuals to submit DNA samples for profiling, with exceptions if a sample was previously taken and remains in the database. The bill also clarifies that people can request DNA record expungement if charges were dismissed, acquitted, or not filed within one year of arrest. Additionally, it establishes a $600,000 annual standing appropriation starting in 2026 to fund the investigation and prosecution of cold cases through the Department of Justice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 annually for DNA collection program, directly funding a state government initiative under budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill includes DNA expungement for dismissed/acquitted cases, protecting civil rights and advancing reform. Expands DNA collection for cold cases but with safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SF 2103: A bill for an act relating to the cessation of appropriations to the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund.

This bill removes the expiration date for an annual $20 million appropriation from Iowa's general fund to the Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund. Currently, this funding is set to end June 30, 2028, but the bill makes it permanent. The REAP Fund, which supports conservation and environmental projects, will continue receiving this $20 million annually unless lottery funds are also appropriated to the fund (in which case the general fund amount would be reduced by the lottery contribution). The bill directly affects the long-term funding mechanism for the REAP Fund's conservation programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes $20M annual REAP Fund appropriation permanent, ensuring continued conservation funding from general fund without sunset clause.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPermanently funds REAP Fund for conservation/environmental projects, preventing end of $20M annual appropriation to support environmental protection programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Conservation

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 5, 2025

SSB 1170: A bill for an act relating to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator, and providing an appropriation.

This bill requires Iowa's area agencies on aging to hire a dementia service specialist in each agency to support people with dementia, their families, and caregivers. It also creates a dementia services coordinator role within the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate statewide dementia initiatives. Key duties include providing referrals to support services, conducting community cognitive screenings, training staff on dementia care, and promoting dementia-friendly communities. The bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund these positions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides an appropriation for dementia services and agency staffing, directly increasing state funding for public health services under budget & taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates dementia service specialists and coordinator roles within health agencies, funds support services, and expands medical care for aging populations through appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 3, 2025

HF 364: A bill for an act relating to a standing appropriation to the department of health and human services to make free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters in the state.

HF 364 appropriates $20,000 annually from the state general fund starting fiscal year 2025-2026 to provide free radon test kits to Iowa homeowners and renters. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must designate a lab to supply, distribute, and analyze the kits, with the lab required to share test data with HHS. HHS will also create an online ordering system on its website for residents to request kits. This bill directly affects residential property occupants by making radon testing accessible at no cost, while the funding mechanism ensures ongoing availability through annual appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20,000 annually from state general fund for public health program (radon testing), directly funding a new service via state budget appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track