This bill establishes a Technology Reinvestment Fund to support state information technology projects. It allocates $17.5 million annually starting July 2025 (plus prior-year funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund) for projects that enhance technology infrastructure, improve government services, and promote economic development. The Department of Management must prioritize projects based on criteria like alignment with state strategic goals, feasibility, return on investment, scalability, and rural service access. Agencies receiving funding must report annually on project status, costs, and outcomes to the legislature and department.
HF 798, the "Social Media Parental Authorization Act," requires social media companies operating in Iowa to obtain prior parental authorization before allowing minors (under 18) to create accounts. This authorization must be either written or digital, verified by the platform, and grants parents access to monitor their child’s posts, messages, account settings, and usage time. The bill prohibits companies from collecting or storing minor data without authorization and bans account creation if minors are already restricted by other state or federal laws. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation for companies, or $10,000 per violation plus actual damages for harmed individuals.
This bill (HSB 206) proposes to expand Iowa's definition of "critical infrastructure" to explicitly include telecommunications services, information services, and cable services as defined under federal law (47 U.S.C. §153). It defines "critical infrastructure sabotage" as intentionally causing a substantial, widespread interruption to fundamental services provided by these systems without authorization, classifying it as a class B felony. Offenders would face penalties of up to 25 years in prison and fines between $85,000 and $100,000. The bill directly affects individuals who disrupt essential communications infrastructure, such as internet or phone services, by making such acts a serious criminal offense. The proposed law aligns Iowa's penalties with federal definitions of covered infrastructure services.
SSB 1148 amends Iowa law to define "critical infrastructure" to include telecommunications, information, and cable services (as defined under federal law). It makes intentionally causing widespread disruption to these services without authorization a class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison and fines of $85,000-$100,000. The bill directly affects individuals who sabotage essential communication networks and law enforcement handling such cases. Key provisions clarify which services are protected and establish specific criminal penalties for disruptions. The bill is currently pending in committee after a subcommittee recommended passage.
This bill requires AI-generated election materials (like ads or content advocating for candidates or ballot issues) to include a clear disclosure stating "this material was generated using artificial intelligence." It defines "high-risk AI systems" as those making consequential decisions (e.g., hiring, loans, healthcare access) and prohibits algorithmic discrimination - unfair treatment based on protected characteristics like race or gender. Developers must provide deployers with detailed documentation about AI training data, limitations, bias mitigation, and intended uses. The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in AI systems used for significant decisions while allowing exemptions for certain technologies like spam filters or basic calculators.
This is a resolution (not binding legislation), SR 3, which expresses the Iowa Senate's support for strengthening economic cooperation between Iowa and Taiwan. It specifically encourages collaboration in advanced manufacturing, ag-bioscience (combining agriculture with biotechnology), and digital innovation to facilitate trade and knowledge sharing. The resolution affirms the existing sister-state relationship established in 1989 and urges continued partnership through "best practices" and shared expertise, without creating new legal requirements or funding.
SF 370 requires Iowa public schools to adopt policies restricting student use of personal electronic devices during classroom instruction starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that health classes in grades six and eight include instruction on the effects of social media, and directs school districts to develop model policies by May 1, 2025. The bill also requires schools to provide professional development for teachers on social media effects and establish clear protocols for device storage, emergency communication, and disciplinary procedures. These changes apply to all public school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa.
SF 562 regulates how health insurers use artificial intelligence in reviewing medical treatments. It requires insurers to ensure AI tools used for prior authorization decisions (like whether a treatment is medically necessary) cannot replace doctors' judgment, must base decisions on patient history and clinical circumstances, and must be non-discriminatory. The bill also sets strict timelines: insurers must respond to urgent requests within 48 hours and non-urgent requests within 10 days, with extensions only for complex cases. Additionally, insurers must publicly post annual statistics on approval/denial rates for all treatments requiring prior authorization. This bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by increasing transparency and accountability in insurance review processes.
SF 289 updates Iowa's invasion of privacy law to specifically address non-consensual recording. It makes it a violation to knowingly view, photograph, or film someone for sexual gratification, or to possess such material without a legitimate reason. The bill directly affects individuals who secretly record others in private settings for sexual purposes. Penalties apply when these actions occur, clarifying the legal consequences for violating privacy in this manner. This law strengthens protections against non-consensual intimate recordings by defining clear prohibited conduct.
HF 897 defines the digital platforms used by ride-hailing services (like Uber or Lyft) as "digital networks," specifically excluding them from being classified as "products" under Iowa law. This clarification affects transportation network companies and their apps, ensuring these platforms aren’t subject to regulations typically applied to physical goods. The bill amends Iowa Code to state that a "digital network" refers to the online systems enabling riders to book rides with drivers, not a tangible product. It is a technical definition change with no new requirements or fees for ride-hailing companies.
