Rep. Brooke Boden

Maddy summaryHF 191 prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants within Iowa for the purpose of deliberately altering temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity (geoengineering). It directly affects any entity or individual conducting such emissions in the state, overriding conflicting existing laws. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Commission to adopt implementing rules, including emergency rules for immediate enforcement. Key mechanisms include a clear prohibition on weather-modification emissions and a mandate for the Commission to develop specific regulations under existing rulemaking procedures. The bill focuses solely on preventing intentional atmospheric manipulation, not general air pollution control.

Maddy summaryHF 88 modifies Iowa's education laws to clarify requirements for private instruction, world language teaching, and tuition tax credits. It requires parents of privately instructed children to submit detailed course outlines, immunization records, and blood lead test results by September 1 each year. The bill defines "independent private instruction" as non-accredited programs with ≤4 unrelated students, no tuition, and religious focus, while ensuring diplomas from such programs are treated equally to public school diplomas. It also prohibits altering grammatical gender in world language instruction (e.g., Spanish/French) and provides a 25.5% tax credit for tuition paid for kindergarten through grade 12. These changes apply immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 631) changes Iowa's process for bridge construction or repair projects that exceed backwater limits. It requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director to issue a variance if all affected landowners (who haven't already provided a flooding easement) sign a written acknowledgment that their property will flood during and after construction. Currently, DNR may require landowners to provide a flooding easement for excess backwater; this bill replaces that requirement with the written acknowledgment. The change directly affects state agencies, counties, and cities building or repairing bridges, and the landowners whose properties may flood. It streamlines the process by eliminating the need for easement acquisition in these cases.

Maddy summaryHF 664 allows nursing home residents or their representatives (such as family members or legal guardians) to use electronic monitoring devices (like cameras) in their rooms, with strict consent requirements. Residents must provide written consent or have their representative consent if they lack capacity, and roommates in shared rooms must also consent in writing. If a roommate objects, the facility must try to move one resident to an available shared room (with the resident paying a private room rate if they choose a private space). The bill requires facilities to document consent and allows residents to withdraw consent or adjust monitoring conditions at any time.

Maddy summaryHF 655 requires Iowa's judicial branch to create a digital payment system connecting court documents with county attorneys' case management systems within nine months of the bill's enactment. It directly affects county attorneys, who will receive up to $50,000 in state funds to update their systems for compatibility with the new platform. The bill mandates a progress report to lawmakers six months after system completion and expires July 1, 2028. This replaces manual payment processes with a standardized digital transfer method, funded through existing judicial branch appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 604 requires Iowa's judicial branch to create an automated system connecting court electronic document systems with county attorneys' case management systems for court filings. County attorneys must update their systems to connect with this exchange, with the state reimbursing them up to $50,000 in fiscal year 2025-2026 for these costs. The judicial branch must implement the system within nine months of the bill's effective date and report progress to lawmakers six months after completion. The system and funding authorization expire on July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a state-issued currency backed 100% by physical gold and silver stored in approved depositories (like the Texas bullion depository or a state-controlled vault). Holders could use the currency for payments or redeem it for actual metal or U.S. dollars, with the Iowa treasurer managing the system and charging fees for transactions. It directly affects Iowa residents, businesses accepting the currency, and the treasurer’s office, which would oversee the depositories and redemption process. The policy establishes a new state-authorized payment method backed by physical assets, requiring the treasurer to maintain reserves matching all issued currency units.

Maddy summaryHF 326 establishes a pilot program in Iowa to provide hyperbaric oxygen treatment (for diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD) to eligible veterans through a dedicated reimbursement fund. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with PTSD or traumatic brain injury who require this treatment, as well as authorized treatment facilities. The bill creates a Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse facilities for treatment costs and related travel/living expenses after a treatment plan is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Facilities must submit proposed treatment plans for approval before providing care, and veterans cannot be charged for services under the program. The program requires biennial reports to the legislature evaluating participation and effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHF 500 requires health insurance companies in Iowa to cover maintenance and repairs for complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs (CRT wheelchairs) starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects patients using CRT wheelchairs (individually configured for medical needs), qualified wheelchair suppliers, and health insurance carriers. The bill mandates that qualified suppliers provide service/repairs and annual preventative maintenance without requiring prior authorization or documentation of ongoing medical necessity from insurers. Suppliers must be accredited, employ certified professionals, and maintain service records that insurers cannot audit. This applies to all health insurance plans covering these devices, ensuring ongoing access to critical mobility support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 3) is a symbolic statement by Iowa's House of Representatives affirming the state's support for Israel. It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals or entities; instead, it expresses solidarity through shared values, condemns antisemitism and terrorism, and encourages cultural and economic collaboration between Iowa and Israel. The resolution highlights Iowa's partnership with Israel's Western Galilee region, economic ties in agriculture and technology, and support for Israel's sovereignty following the October 7 attacks. It was adopted unanimously (76-10) on February 13, 2025, with no binding policy changes.