Technology

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 611: A bill for an act establishing requirements and guidelines for chatbots, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.

This Iowa bill establishes rules for chatbots by defining them as AI systems that generate new content and respond to open-ended user input, while excluding simple lookup tools or narrow-field applications. It prohibits chatbots from encouraging self-harm or violence and requires clear disclosures that they are not human beings and do not provide professional advice in areas like medicine, law, or finance. The law imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation and gives the attorney general authority to enforce compliance through civil actions. The attorney general must also develop specific rules to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates chatbots to protect consumers from harm and misinformation, establishing safety guidelines and disclosure requirements that enhance digital rights and consumer protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SF 2473: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of management, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill directs the Iowa Department of Management to use state funds for technology infrastructure projects that improve government services and protect resident privacy. It establishes a Technology Reinvestment Fund with annual appropriations of $17.5 million starting in 2026, requiring projects to prioritize innovation, scalability, and rural access while ensuring long-term sustainability. The legislation also mandates stricter background checks for IT staff and vendors, including FBI criminal history checks every five years, and prohibits certain contract terms such as indemnity clauses, foreign law provisions, and blanket confidentiality requirements. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on funded projects to track progress and spending, with unspent funds rolling over for two years rather than reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes $17.5M annual Technology Reinvestment Fund for state infrastructure projects, directly increasing funding for government services and fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice information systems through improved technology infrastructure, stricter background checks for IT staff, and enhanced privacy protections for criminal justice data.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $17.5M for technology infrastructure, prioritizes rural access, and mandates stricter background checks for IT staff to protect privacy and enhance cybersecurity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SSB 3011: A bill for an act establishing requirements and guidelines for chatbots, making appropriations, and providing civil penalties.

This Iowa bill establishes rules for chatbots, requiring developers to clearly disclose that these AI tools are not human beings and do not provide professional advice like medical or legal services. The law prohibits chatbots from encouraging self-harm or violence and mandates regular reminders to users about the AI's limitations. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $100,000 per incident, which would be collected by the state attorney general. The attorney general would also have the authority to create additional rules to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates chatbots to protect consumers from misinformation and harm, establishing disclosure requirements and safety guidelines for AI technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3188: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions.

This bill allocates state funding to the economic development authority and related agencies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, to support business growth, job creation, and community development across Iowa. The legislation establishes specific goals for the authority to focus on recruiting new businesses, retaining existing ones, and fostering entrepreneurship while prioritizing commercially viable projects in agriculture, technology, and biotechnology. It includes provisions requiring businesses receiving financial assistance to hire workers legally authorized to work in the United States and prohibits funding for geothermal snow-melting systems. Additionally, the bill provides separate appropriations for tourism promotion, support of the World Food Prize, and arts council activities, with requirements for annual reporting on tourism office performance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funding for economic development, job creation, and business growth through appropriations to relevant agencies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funding for workforce development and job creation, which supports employment standards and economic opportunities for workers75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly prioritizes technology sector alongside agriculture and biotechnology for economic development funding and business growth initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SF 2466: A bill for an act relating to veterans services and making appropriations.

This bill establishes a statewide electronic system for county veterans service offices to submit federal benefit claims and requires staff in these offices to obtain specific federal certifications and security clearances within twelve months of employment. It creates a new veterans services excellence fund funded by lottery proceeds and state appropriations to incentivize counties to improve veteran outreach and application efficiency, with annual allocations based on performance metrics starting in 2027. The legislation also clarifies that recognized veterans' service organizations can represent veterans in federal benefit claims and grants them power of attorney for this purpose. Additionally, it sets up quarterly reporting requirements to share performance data with county commissions and boards of supervisors.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes statewide electronic system for veterans claims and requires staff certifications/security clearances, advancing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity standards.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes electronic system for veteran benefit claims, creates funding fund for veteran services, and mandates staff certifications to improve veteran outreach and application efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SSB 3183: A bill for an act relating to the publication of certain public notices by designated public entities, providing for fees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill requires designated public entities in Iowa, including state agencies, counties, cities, and school districts, to post all statutorily required public notices on a centralized online portal managed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state will charge a five-dollar fee for each notice posted, with collected funds deposited into a new public notice administration fund capped at $350,000. Each notice must include essential information such as meeting details, contact information, and instructions for public comments, and must remain accessible on the portal for five years after the notice period ends. While the bill mandates online posting, it also requires entities to maintain a physical copy of notices at their principal offices for public access. Exceptions apply to certain government offices and specific interstate licensure compacts, and disputes over notice publication will be handled by the Iowa public information board.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital access by requiring public notices on centralized online portal, enhancing transparency and internet utilization for public entities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3184: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system.

This bill allocates state funding to the Iowa Department of Justice and related agencies for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, primarily supporting the attorney general's office, victim assistance programs, legal services for low-income individuals, and correctional facilities. Key provisions include specific funding amounts for victim compensation grants, cybersecurity improvements, and the hiring of additional staff such as program planners and human trafficking training instructors. The legislation also requires the department to report on non-state funding sources and mandates reimbursement for law enforcement academy training costs. Additionally, it directs unappropriated antitrust and consumer education funds to the department of justice for operational expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to justice system agencies, victim assistance, and correctional facilities, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates state funding to justice system agencies, victim assistance, legal services, and correctional facilities, directly strengthening criminal justice infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding for cybersecurity improvements within the justice system, directly supporting technology infrastructure and security measures.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Cybersecurity

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 24, 2026

HSB 766: A bill for an act relating to the licensure of artificial intelligence augmented and autonomous service providers, and including penalties.

This bill creates a new licensing system for companies that use artificial intelligence to provide medical services in Iowa, requiring them to register with a newly formed Board of Autonomous Medical Practice. The legislation defines different types of AI medical tools, from advisory systems that suggest diagnoses to fully autonomous AI that can independently make clinical decisions, and establishes specific roles for oversight including medical directors and designated responsible officials. Key provisions include setting up a board with diverse membership from healthcare professionals, technology experts, and the public, while also defining terms like adverse events and reportable incidents to ensure accountability. The bill does not currently specify the application process or fees but focuses on creating the regulatory framework and board structure needed to oversee these new AI medical services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes regulatory framework for AI in healthcare, protecting patients while enabling innovation in medical services through oversight and licensing.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates AI medical providers to ensure consumer protection and safety, establishing oversight and licensing requirements for AI technology in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 1, 2026

SF 2301: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and including effective date provisions.

SF 2301 creates Iowa's "EDGE Program" (Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment), which offers tax incentives to eligible businesses that retain or establish corporate headquarters in the state. It directly affects businesses in advanced manufacturing, bioscience, insurance/finance, technology, or R&D - requiring them to generate over 50% of revenue outside Iowa, offer comprehensive employee benefits, and demonstrate state-level competition for their headquarters. Key mechanisms include tax credits tied to creating new corporate jobs (e.g., strategic roles at headquarters) or retaining existing ones at risk, with incentives calculated based on qualifying wage thresholds in the local area. The bill also repeals older programs like the New Jobs Tax Credit and Industrial New Jobs Training Program while establishing new funds for electric transmission planning.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax incentives for businesses (EDGE Program), directly reducing state tax revenue through targeted tax breaks, aligning with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTargets technology businesses with tax incentives under EDGE Program, explicitly listing tech as a qualifying sector for economic development funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2469: A bill for an act prohibiting the use of an automated decision-making system to alter the price of a product or service for a specific individual based on surveillance data, and providing civil penalties.

HF 2469 prohibits businesses from using automated systems (like AI or algorithms) to change the price of a product or service for a specific person based on "surveillance data" - such as information gathered about their behavior, salary, or biometrics. The law defines this data as anything collected through observation or inference about an individual or their group. Exceptions include price changes due to actual cost differences, widely available discounts (like student or senior rates), insurance pricing, or credit decisions under federal law. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $40,000 per incident, enforced through existing consumer fraud laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits AI-driven price discrimination using surveillance data, directly protecting consumer privacy and aligning with data privacy regulations in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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