Rep. Josh Turek

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 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 538 requires Iowa employers to pay workers with disabilities at least the state minimum wage starting July 1, 2026, ending a federal exception that previously allowed lower wages for some disabled employees. It declares competitive and integrated employment (working alongside non-disabled peers in typical workplaces at or above minimum wage) as the preferred option for state programs helping people with disabilities find jobs. State agencies must implement this policy in their employment services, and the state will conduct outreach to help employers understand the new wage rule. Nonprofits operating sheltered workshops are temporarily exempt until July 1, 2027, after which the exemption ends.

Maddy summaryHF 489 establishes a permanent annual state funding mechanism for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. It appropriates money each fiscal year equal to Iowa's population count (from the prior July 1 U.S. Census estimate) from the general fund to the state board of regents, starting July 1, 2025. The bill requires the state board of regents to report annually by October 1 to the governor and legislature on how these funds were spent. This funding directly supports pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa, with the amount automatically adjusting based on population changes.

Maddy summaryHF 425 simplifies Medicaid reimbursement for repairs of complex rehabilitation equipment. It requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to stop demanding new prescriptions or prior authorization for repairs, as long as the equipment was previously prescribed and paid for under Medicaid. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who rely on individually configured durable medical equipment (like specialized wheelchairs) and the providers who repair it. The bill defines "complex rehabilitation technology" as equipment tailored to meet specific medical needs for daily activities, ensuring repairs for such items follow the same streamlined process as the original equipment.

Maddy summaryHF 424 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, providing health coverage through the state's medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities aged 18-64 who meet income requirements. It removes typical Medicaid barriers by allowing participants to keep coverage while working, with premiums calculated as 6% of "countable income" (income used for basic needs), and automatically enrolling Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. The program includes a 6-month grace period for temporary job loss or health issues without requiring premium payments during that time, and participants retain access to all standard Medicaid services plus additional community-based support. This directly affects Iowans with disabilities who work but would otherwise lose health coverage due to income limits under current Medicaid rules.

Maddy summaryHF 427 requires Iowa's Medicaid managed care organizations to cover the cost of integrated power standing device equipment on power wheelchairs for Medicaid recipients with a permanent physical disability, upon request. This equipment allows users to stand without transferring from their wheelchair. The bill mandates coverage when the device is deemed "reasonable and medically necessary" for the recipient's independence, function, health, and well-being. It directly affects Medicaid recipients who use power wheelchairs and have a permanent physical disability, ensuring access to this specific mobility aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax deduction for Iowa renters, allowing individuals to subtract gross rent paid for their primary home (including manufactured/mobile homes) from their individual income tax. It directly affects renters who use a dwelling as their main residence, covering rent for the home itself and up to one acre of land for manufactured homes. The deduction applies to rent paid at arm's length for occupancy, with "homestead" defined as a rented primary residence. The provision takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 426 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to mandate that Medicaid managed care organizations continue approving coverage for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs or oxygen equipment) that Medicaid recipients with permanent disabilities were previously approved for. It directly affects Medicaid recipients whose conditions meet federal or state definitions of permanent disability (lasting 12+ months or resulting in death) and who haven't experienced significant health changes. The key provision ensures ongoing coverage for existing equipment without requiring new approvals, preventing sudden termination of essential support. This policy change aims to provide stability for vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries relying on critical medical devices.