Rep. Brent Siegrist

Maddy summaryHF 2209 requires Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to admit at least 80% of students who are Iowa residents or attended eligible Iowa colleges. It prioritizes applicants planning to work in Iowa rural communities (under 25,000 people) and specialize in mixed-animal veterinary care. Applicants must disclose their Iowa background and career intentions in their applications. The university must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing admission statistics and reasons for rejections.

Maddy summaryHF 2145 prohibits the Iowa governor from closing, mandating restrictions on, or regulating places of worship during any emergency, including disaster declarations or public health crises. It directly affects all religious buildings in Iowa with an active congregation, ensuring they cannot be subject to executive orders under emergency powers. The bill explicitly defines "place of worship" as a building where a congregation regularly gathers for religious practice, blocking any governor-led restrictions during emergencies. This is a procedural measure limiting executive authority, not creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 463 creates two specialized human trafficking prosecution units within Iowa's Department of Justice, one serving western Iowa and the other eastern Iowa (divided by Interstate 35). These units will bring together prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement, victim services, healthcare professionals, and community advocates to investigate, prosecute human trafficking cases, and support victims. The units will also provide community training and technical assistance to raise awareness. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking and requires coordination between the Attorney General's office, public safety, and health agencies. It defines "human trafficking" using the existing legal standard from Iowa Code section 710A.1.

Maddy summaryHF 2341 creates a partial property tax exemption for residential properties sold by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in areas declared major disaster zones by the president or state disaster emergencies by the governor. It applies specifically to properties sold to owners already receiving Iowa's homestead tax credit, providing a phased tax reduction over four years: 80% exemption in the first assessment year, 60% in the second, 40% in the third, and 20% in the fourth. The exemption expires after the fourth year, meaning homeowners pay full property tax starting in the fifth year. This bill directly affects HUD-sold homeowners in disaster-affected areas who qualify for the homestead tax credit.

Maddy summaryHF 2317, nicknamed the "Stop Squatters Act," creates a new process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants without court involvement. It allows owners or their agents to submit a complaint to police (in cities) or sheriffs (outside cities) if the occupant was notified they couldn’t be there, isn’t a tenant or family member, and no legal dispute exists. Law enforcement must investigate and order the occupant to leave immediately, with the occupant liable for an hourly fee for the service. The bill also adds criminal penalties: trespassing after being told to leave with $1,000 or less in property damage is a simple misdemeanor (up to 30 days jail, $855 fine), while over $1,000 in damage is a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $2,560 fine).

Maddy summaryHF 2342 sets specific future dates for repealing various Iowa tax credit programs. The bill specifies that existing tax credits (like those for renewable chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel, and job creation) will end between 2028 and 2041, with most repeals occurring by 2032. It directly affects taxpayers and businesses currently claiming or planning to claim these credits, as they will no longer be available after the designated dates. The bill includes a key exception preserving credits issued or earned before January 1, 2032, ensuring existing agreements and carryforwards remain valid.

Maddy summaryHF 2109 redirects 7% of criminal case fines collected within a county to a new victim restitution fund, instead of allocating it to county general funds. The bill establishes this fund in the state treasury, with funds administered by the Department of Justice to cover financial damages victims incur from crimes (like medical costs or lost wages), as defined by existing law. It changes the current 91% to state court administrator and 9% to county funds to an 85% to state, 8% to county, and 7% to the victim fund. Unspent funds in the victim restitution account will carry over annually instead of reverting. This directly affects victims of crime who receive restitution payments and alters how criminal fines are distributed.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 13, 2025, enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria. It recognizes their service, sacrifice, and posthumous promotions to staff sergeant, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa National Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' respect for their lives and sacrifice, and directs copies to be sent to their families as a gesture of recognition. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy or funding changes, solely intended to honor the fallen service members and their families.

Maddy summaryHF 617 modifies rules for public improvements related to housing and residential development in certain urban renewal areas within cities. The bill increases the minimum required assistance for low and moderate income family housing in these projects from 10% to 20% of the original project cost. It also extends the period for dividing tax revenues (tax increment financing) for these specific projects from 10 to 20 fiscal years. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "low and moderate income family housing" for these projects to include workforce housing, and updates the general definition of "low or moderate income families" within the relevant code chapter. These changes apply to projects approved on or after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 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.