HF 272 establishes a tuition reimbursement program for Iowa teachers pursuing an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement. It provides up to 75% of tuition costs (capped at two years) to teachers working in Iowa schools or area education agencies who are obtaining this endorsement. The program requires annual applications, teaching verification, and uses $335,000 in state funding for fiscal year 2025-2026. The College Student Aid Commission administers the program and reports annually on participation and spending.
This bill establishes a formula for setting salaries of Iowa's judicial officers, linking them to the annual salary of a U.S. district judge. Starting July 1, 2025, state district judges will receive 71% of the federal salary, increasing to 75% by 2028, while other judges (like supreme court justices and court of appeals judges) have salaries calculated as specific percentages of the district judge's pay. The bill requires these salaries to be funded from judicial branch appropriations and allows the Supreme Court to reduce payments if funding falls short. It directly affects all Iowa judicial officers, including district judges, supreme court justices, court of appeals judges, and magistrates, with changes taking effect June 20, 2025.
SF 194 establishes a state-administered "educator supplement for all fund" to increase compensation for school district staff. It requires school districts to pay licensed educators (excluding administrators) an additional $5,000 annually and teaching assistants 10% of their base salary each year, on top of existing pay. The fund, financed through state appropriations starting July 2025, ensures districts can meet these new requirements. This bill directly affects teachers, certified staff, and teaching assistants in Iowa public schools.
SF 223 appropriates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding will be distributed proportionally to nonprofit resettlement agencies that partner with the U.S. Department of State to provide assistance to refugees in Iowa. HHS must distribute the funds within seven days of the bill's enactment to cover resettlement expenses like housing and support services. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without altering refugee policies or eligibility.
SF 232 appropriates $1 million from Iowa's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the Double Up Food Bucks program. This funding will be granted to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative to expand access to fresh produce for eligible residents. The program directly helps Iowa households receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by providing matching funds to buy fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and grocery stores. The bill enables continued operation of this specific nutrition assistance mechanism without altering SNAP eligibility or benefits.
HF 333 requires Iowa public school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products (such as tampons and sanitary pads) in at least half of the restrooms serving students in grades 6-12, with regular refilling. The bill applies directly to all Iowa public schools educating middle and high school students. It appropriates state funds from 2025-2028 to reimburse school districts for the full cost of compliance, with the Department of Education managing the reimbursement process. The funding ends June 30, 2028, after which schools would use other state aid for ongoing costs.
HF 370 establishes a solar installation tax credit in Iowa for individuals and businesses that install solar energy systems on or after January 1, 2025. The credit equals 50% of two federal solar energy credits (capped at $5,000 for residential systems and $20,000 for commercial systems), applicable against income, franchise, and moneys and credits taxes. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to 10 years, and applicants must submit applications by May 1 each year. The bill limits annual credits to $5 million total, with at least $1 million reserved specifically for residential installations, and prevents double-dipping with other solar tax credits.
This bill creates a dedicated $17.5 million annual technology reinvestment fund for Iowa state IT projects, plus additional funding from infrastructure reserves for 2023-2025. It requires the Department of Management to prioritize projects based on strategic alignment, return on investment, rural access benefits, sustainability, and scalability. State agencies receiving funds must report annually on project progress, costs, and outcomes. The bill also adds background check requirements for IT staff and prohibits certain contract terms that could increase state liability.
This bill creates the Iowa Carbon Dioxide Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate response and long-term recovery for communities affected by CO2 pipeline incidents, such as leaks or ruptures. It imposes a tax on CO2 pipeline operators and facilities to fund the relief efforts, requiring a minimum $10 billion balance in the fund before pipelines can operate in Iowa. The fund will cover emergency cleanup, victim compensation, rebuilding, and environmental restoration. Two oversight boards - the Oversight Board (managing fund integrity) and Victim Assistance Board (distributing aid) - will administer the fund and ensure resources reach affected individuals and communities.
HF 476 creates a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help school districts cover the costs of hiring or keeping one school resource officer (SRO) at each high school. The program, funded starting July 2025, provides grants from the state general fund to offset SRO expenses without replacing existing local or state funding for similar purposes. It establishes a dedicated fund that rolls over annually, ensuring continuous support for approved applications submitted by school districts. The state board of education will set eligibility rules and approve applications, but the bill itself focuses solely on creating this funding mechanism.
