SF 357 creates a neighborhood housing revitalization program within Iowa's Finance Authority to provide forgivable loans for home improvements in designated urban and rural areas. It directly affects homeowners who own and occupy their homes in these targeted zones, covering eligible repairs like roof replacements, electrical upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, and accessibility modifications. The program establishes a dedicated fund using unobligated transfers from other state funds, federal grants, or donations, with unspent money rolling over annually instead of reverting to the general fund. The authority will set rules for loan amounts, eligible work, and income-based forgiveness criteria.
HF 983 revises Iowa's landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures. It defines "rent" to include base rent, utilities, late fees, and other payments in rental agreements, and changes mail notice timing to be completed four days after mailing (regardless of weekends or holidays). The bill makes prohibited terms in rental agreements unenforceable, allowing tenants to recover actual damages and attorney fees if landlords enforce them. Additionally, it updates notice requirements to mandate posting on dwelling doors and dual mailings (regular and certified), and adds rules for sealing court records in eviction cases after seven years without subsequent evictions.
HB 261 modifies Iowa's landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures. It clarifies that "rent" includes base rent, utilities, and late fees (Sec. 1), requires mailed notices to be deemed delivered four days after mailing (Secs. 2, 5), and makes prohibited rental terms unenforceable with penalties like up to three months' rent and attorney fees (Secs. 3, 6). The bill also updates notice requirements for postings and mailings (Secs. 4, 7, 8, 9) and adds a new provision allowing eviction records to be sealed after seven years with no subsequent cases (Sec. 11). These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and courts handling residential eviction cases in Iowa.
HF 700 requires landlords in Iowa rental properties to address elevated radon levels detected by tenants. Tenants may test for radon or hire a certified professional; if results show 4 picocuries per liter or higher (the EPA action level), they must notify the landlord in writing. Landlords must then arrange a confirmatory test, and if radon remains at or above that level, install a certified radon mitigation system within 90 days, followed by retesting. If landlords fail to install mitigation or radon levels persist, tenants may terminate their lease with full rent and deposit refunds, no penalties, and written notice. This bill directly affects renters and landlords in Iowa housing by establishing clear radon testing, mitigation, and lease termination procedures.
HF 947 requires Iowa counties and cities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on single-family residential lots. It sets size limits (max 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main home's size), prohibits local rules that are stricter for ADUs than for main homes (like extra parking fees, design matching requirements, or occupancy restrictions based on income or age), and mandates automatic permit approval for compliant ADU applications. The bill also clarifies that ADUs using manufactured homes must be converted to real property with permanent foundations. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments responsible for zoning and permitting.
SF 622 modifies several state economic development and tax credit programs managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. It directly affects developers, investors, and communities seeking financial assistance or tax credits for infrastructure, redevelopment, tourism, and historic preservation projects. The bill streamlines the administration and review processes for brownfield, grayfield, and redevelopment tax credits, centralizing some functions within the economic development authority. It also adjusts eligibility requirements for the historic preservation tax credit, particularly for single-family residential projects. Additionally, the bill modifies how review committees are appointed for community attraction and sports tourism programs and removes a section regarding required benefits for certain tourism program applicants.
HSB 336 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds for economic development in Iowa for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides funding to several entities, including the Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Department of Workforce Development, and State Board of Regents. The bill sets goals for the Economic Development Authority to expand the state economy, increase wealth and population, and promote business and entrepreneurial growth. It also outlines specific financial assistance for workforce recruitment, women entrepreneurs, and advanced research, while requiring jobs created with these funds to be filled by legally authorized workers. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for the World Food Prize, Councils of Governments, and the Tourism Office, and eliminates the repeal of the housing renewal pilot program.
HF 565 establishes a partial property tax exemption for certain residential properties. This exemption applies to homes purchased from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by owners who qualify for the homestead tax credit. To be eligible, the sale must be made to provide housing in an area declared a major disaster or disaster emergency. The exemption lasts for four assessment years, starting at 80% of the property's actual value in the first year and decreasing by 20% each subsequent year.
SSB 1214 modifies Iowa's economic development and urban renewal laws, primarily to support housing initiatives. The bill expands the definition of "economic development" to include workforce housing and requires municipalities to consider workforce housing development when allocating public funds for economic development. For certain urban renewal projects approved after July 1, 2025, related to housing in long-established city areas, the bill caps the required low and moderate-income family housing assistance at 20% of the original project cost. It also extends the duration of tax increment financing (TIF) for these specific housing projects from 10 to 20 years.
SF 45, known as the "Iowa Land Redevelopment Trust Act," allows cities, counties, and townships to create independent land redevelopment trusts. These trusts are designed to acquire and manage dilapidated, abandoned, blighted, and tax-delinquent properties. The bill aims to help communities return these properties to productive use, with the goal of revitalizing areas, providing affordable housing, and attracting new industry. Each trust would be governed by a board of directors.
