Rep. J.D. Scholten

Maddy summaryHF 687 requires that any contract for a project funded by state money or tax credits must include a provision mandating the use of only products or materials manufactured in the United States, if feasible. This applies directly to state contractors and projects receiving state funds or tax credits, replacing current preferences with a strict requirement. The bill strengthens existing rules by making U.S. manufacturing a mandatory condition for procurement, rather than a preference based on cost comparisons. It does not create new tax credits but modifies how existing state funds are spent.

Maddy summaryHF 685 requires state agency contracts involving steel to include a provision mandating that any steel purchased with state funds or tax credits must be manufactured in the United States. This directly affects state agencies purchasing steel and their suppliers when using state money. The key mechanism is a mandatory contractual clause specifying U.S. manufacturing for covered steel purchases. The bill does not apply to contracts funded by non-state sources.

Maddy summaryHF 681 creates a dedicated wage and hour division within Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. This division will directly enforce state wage laws under chapters 91A (wage payment), 91D (minimum wage), and 92 (child labor) for workers and employers across Iowa. Key provisions require the division to investigate wage violations and prioritize state-level enforcement over referring cases to the federal Department of Labor. The bill mandates that the division handle enforcement activities, including penalties, for these specific labor laws rather than relying on federal authorities. This establishes a permanent state mechanism for wage enforcement previously managed under broader departmental responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHF 688 requires Iowa state agencies to prioritize purchasing American-made products and materials from American-based businesses when their life cycle costs (total costs over the product's lifetime) are comparable to foreign alternatives. This directly affects state agencies that buy goods or materials for government operations, such as office supplies or equipment. The bill amends existing law to clarify that agencies must choose American products if they meet the agency's needs and cost similarly to foreign options, rather than just considering them. It does not change current cost-based requirements but strengthens the preference for domestic products. The bill aims to support U.S. manufacturing and jobs within state procurement.

Maddy summaryHF 682 requires Iowa state departments to recapture tax incentives (such as credits, exemptions, or rebates) from businesses that violate state or federal child labor laws (under Iowa Code chapter 92 or the Fair Labor Standards Act). It applies to businesses receiving state tax benefits and extends to their contractors, subcontractors, or third parties working at the business's facility. Beginning July 1, 2025, if a violation occurs, the business must notify the administering department within 30 days of the appeal period ending, and the state will reclaim the tax benefits using the same process as for unpaid taxes. This bill directly affects businesses receiving state tax incentives who breach child labor protections.

Maddy summaryHF 412 modifies Iowa's child care assistance program to better support unhoused parents. It defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing) and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the 30-day employment-based eligibility limit for parents of children under six years old who are unhoused. The bill also exempts unhoused children from program waiting lists and mandates an expedited process for approving assistance and extensions for unhoused applicants. These changes directly affect low-income parents experiencing housing instability who are seeking work.

Maddy summaryHF 411 exempts families determined by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be "unhoused" from making copayments for the state child care assistance program (CCA). The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or temporary settings. Unhoused families are not required to pay copayments as a condition of CCA program participation, and this exemption lasts for six months after HHS determines the family is no longer unhoused. This change directly affects low-income families experiencing housing instability who rely on state child care assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 410 would require Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to set reimbursement rates for child care providers caring for unhoused children equal to the rate for children needing special-needs care. The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing. This change directly affects child care providers serving unhoused children and the state's child care assistance program budget. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and remains in committee.

Maddy summaryHF 251 requires Iowa's state board of education to publish detailed information about nonpublic schools accredited by independent agencies. The board must list each school, the specific educational standards the accrediting agency required for accreditation, and any amendments or waivers to those standards. This information will be posted on the education department's website and updated annually by June 30. The bill expands transparency by making school-level accreditation details publicly available, moving beyond the current requirement that only listed accrediting agencies.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish new rules for Iowa citizens to directly propose constitutional changes or new laws through petitions, and to refer bills passed by the legislature to voter approval. It requires petition signatures equal to 8% of the previous gubernatorial vote in at least three-fourths of congressional districts for constitutional amendments, and 5% for proposed laws or referendums on bills. Petitions must be submitted 6 months before elections for initiatives or within 90 days of a legislative session for referendums, and initiatives cannot create new spending without new revenue. The amendment also excludes emergency bills, current spending, and school funding from referendum, and states that referendum-approved bills take effect without governor approval. This is a proposed constitutional change, not yet enacted, requiring voter ratification after legislative approval.