Rep. Josh Turek

Maddy summaryHF 288 sets campaign contribution limits for all Iowa candidates for public office, matching federal campaign finance rules (11 C.F.R. pt. 110) within each election cycle (primary, general, or special election). It prohibits individuals from contributing more than the federal limit to a single candidate or committee during any election cycle and bans candidates or their committees from accepting such excess contributions. Violations are classified as serious misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines between $430 and $2,560, or civil penalties up to $2,000 under existing law. The bill directly affects Iowa candidates, their committees, and donors by standardizing contribution rules with federal standards.

Maddy summaryHF 289 transfers Iowa's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services from the Department of Workforce Development to the Department of Education. This change affects individuals with disabilities who use vocational rehabilitation programs to find employment, as the new department will now administer these services. Key provisions update references throughout state law to reflect the departmental shift, ensuring consistent oversight under education leadership. The bill does not alter the services provided but reassigns administrative responsibility for job training and placement programs.

Maddy summaryHF 286 limits individual campaign contributions to political committees in Iowa to $5,000 per election campaign cycle (including primaries, general elections, and special elections). It prohibits both individuals from donating more than this amount and political committees from accepting such excess contributions to a single committee. Violations carry penalties, including fines up to $2,560 for a serious misdemeanor, and civil penalties up to $2,000 under campaign finance rules. This bill directly affects individuals donating to political committees and the committees themselves by imposing clear financial limits on campaign contributions.

Maddy summaryHF 291 reduces Iowa's annual motor vehicle registration fees and special plate fees for disabled veterans. It lowers these fees by the same percentage as the veteran's service-related disability rating (determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) for one vehicle they own. The bill applies this reduction to both the standard registration fee under Iowa Code 321.109 and any special plate fee under section 321.34. This directly affects disabled veterans with a VA disability rating who do not qualify for other exemptions.

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 summaryHF 199 repeals Iowa's education savings account program, which provided state funds to cover tuition and related expenses for students attending nonpublic schools (including tutoring, materials, and therapy). The bill removes Section 257.11B of the Iowa Code, ending eligibility for this funding starting July 1, 2025. It also updates related funding formulas in Sections 257.10 and 422.7 to exclude students using these accounts. The repeal directly affects nonpublic school students and families previously enrolled in the program. The bill makes no new funding changes beyond eliminating this specific program.

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.

Maddy summaryHF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.

Maddy summaryHF 111 creates a tax credit for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as unpaid clinical preceptors for nursing students. Eligible preceptors receive a $500 credit per qualifying clinical mentoring session (with at least 100 hours of supervised learning), capped at $2,000 annually for individual income tax. To qualify, preceptors must provide uncompensated instruction at their workplace, be selected by nursing programs, and have at least one year of preceptor experience. The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and any unused portion isn’t refundable or carryable to other years.