HF 92 modifies Iowa's urban renewal law by changing which property tax revenue funds urban renewal projects. It specifies that taxes for emergency medical services (under Chapter 422D) are excluded from the revenue pool used for urban renewal financing and low/moderate income housing assistance. The bill ensures that only certain property taxes - excluding those for emergency medical services, school levies, and other specific programs - are allocated to the municipality's special fund for urban renewal projects and housing. This change applies to property taxes due in fiscal years starting July 1, 2026.
HF 755 authorizes municipalities to establish length of service award programs for volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, providing them with tax-deferred benefits. The bill creates a state "length of service award program grant fund" under the Department of Revenue, initially funded with $2 million annually from lottery revenues. This fund can grow up to $5 million if depleted. Municipalities can apply for matching grants from this fund, up to $500 per participant, to help contribute to their local award programs. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
This bill, HF 941, expands the ground emergency medical transportation (GEMT) program by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to hire dedicated staff. These staff will assist eligible ground emergency medical transportation providers with technical support, actuary services, and Medicaid enrollment to help them join the program. The department is directed to develop the program to ensure access to emergency medical services throughout the state. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to the general assembly detailing enrollment numbers, assistance provided, and barriers to participation in the GEMT program.
This bill removes Iowa's residency requirement for obtaining a medical cannabidiol (CBD) registration card. It directly affects non-residents who currently cannot access these cards in Iowa. The key change amends Iowa Code §124E.4 to eliminate language requiring applicants to be Iowa residents, updating the required applicant information to only include full name, Iowa address, and date of birth. This policy change allows non-residents to legally register for medical CBD use in Iowa without needing to live in the state. The bill does not alter medical CBD use rules or eligibility criteria beyond residency.
HF 648 allows dentists in Iowa to obtain a "licensed sedation provider host permit" to employ qualified sedation providers during dental procedures. To qualify, dentists must complete a board-approved course covering patient assessment, emergency response, and sedation management; meet facility/equipment standards; and hold advanced cardiac life support certification. A permitted dentist may then employ licensed physicians, anesthesiologists, or nurse anesthetists to administer moderate sedation to patients aged 13 or older during outpatient dental care, while monitoring patient safety. The Iowa Dental Board will annually review and approve sedation training courses to ensure they meet specific educational standards before issuing permits.
This Iowa bill (1057XD) upgrades penalties for assaults against specific public safety and service workers, including peace officers, correctional staff, healthcare providers, firefighters, and others. It increases penalties to a class "C" felony for assaults with intent to cause serious injury or involving dangerous weapons, and to a class "D" felony for causing bodily injury or mental illness. For inmates, it makes assaults involving bodily fluids (like spitting) against correctional staff a class "D" felony, requiring a minimum seven-day prison sentence. The bill directly affects anyone who assaults these designated workers while knowing their occupation, with stricter penalties than current law.
HF 156 increases the maximum annual tax rate townships can levy for fire and emergency medical services. Specifically, it raises the limit from 40.5 cents to 91 cents per $1,000 of taxable property value for townships without fire/EMS service agreements with special charter cities and with populations below 300,000. This change directly affects those townships by allowing them to collect higher local funding for these essential services. The bill modifies Iowa Code section 359.43 to update the tax rate thresholds, without altering existing higher limits for townships with city agreements (54 cents) or in counties over 300,000 population (67.5 cents). The policy change provides additional financial flexibility for eligible townships to support fire and emergency medical services.
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This bill directs Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to modernize state nutrition programs by creating a single application for both WIC (for women, infants, and children) and SNAP (food assistance). Key provisions include enabling remote certification via phone/video calls, streamlining eligibility for applicants enrolled in SNAP or Medicaid, and implementing features like automatic benefit loading to WIC cards and online shopping. The department must seek federal approval for these changes before implementation and submit a report to the legislature within 30 days after six months of the pilot program. The bill affects low-income Iowans who rely on WIC and SNAP benefits, aiming to simplify access and reduce administrative steps.
HF 478 requires contractors working on public projects (like roads, schools, or infrastructure) to pay workers the local prevailing wage rate, which includes both hourly pay and benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. It applies to all public bodies (including cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies) and their contractors or subcontractors. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing will set the prevailing wage rates for each county and enforce compliance, with penalties for violations. The law aims to ensure fair pay standards and prevent undercutting of local wages on public works projects.
SSB 1174 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, allowing employed individuals with disabilities to keep Medicaid coverage while working without losing benefits due to income. It removes standard income and resource limits for eligibility, instead charging a premium of 6% of an individual's "countable income" (basic needs income). The program automatically enrolls people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), covers traditional Medicaid services plus additional community-based supports, and includes a 6-month grace period for temporary job loss. It directly affects Iowans aged 18-65 with disabilities who work and earn taxable income, ensuring continuous health coverage without penalty for employment.
