Rep. Samantha Fett

Maddy summaryHF 448 allows Iowa public school districts to offer elective high school courses (grades 9-12) focused on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) or New Testament of the Bible. School boards must approve such courses after a school improvement advisory committee recommends them by majority vote. The courses must teach biblical content, history, and cultural influence neutrally - without endorsing any religion - and must accommodate diverse student perspectives. Students may use any Bible translation, and schools may display relevant historical materials if educationally appropriate.

Maddy summaryHF 238 prohibits the Iowa Utilities Commission from renewing permits for pipelines transporting liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2). It sets a strict 25-year maximum operational limit for all CO2 pipelines, meaning they cannot operate beyond this period even if initially permitted for less time. This bill specifically targets CO2 pipelines, reinforcing a 25-year cap that already applies to other pipelines under current law but explicitly prevents renewal for CO2-specific projects. The bill directly affects CO2 pipeline operators and the commission responsible for issuing and reviewing permits.

Maddy summaryHF 241 requires all Iowa Utilities Commission members to be present during live testimony at hearings related to public utilities, pipelines, or electric transmission lines. If any member is unavailable during such a hearing, the meeting must pause until all members return. The bill also mandates that at least one commission member attend all informational meetings about pipeline permits, electric transmission lines, or hazardous liquid pipelines, pausing the meeting if no member is present. This applies to meetings held by pipeline companies or the commission itself, directly affecting commission operations and how companies conduct required public meetings.

Maddy summaryHF 242 creates a new court review process for property owners and applicants involved in Iowa Utilities Commission eminent domain cases. It allows individuals whose property is subject to eminent domain to petition Polk County district court for a declaratory judgment about legal rights and status before the commission makes a final decision, with a $10 filing fee paid to the court clerk (deposited into the state general fund). The bill prohibits bond requirements for appeals or injunctions related to these reviews and sets conditions for new actions after 18 months or changed circumstances, requiring a different county and judge to review the case anew without relying on prior decisions.

Maddy summaryHF 666 defines "elective abortion" as any act intending to terminate a pregnancy with knowledge it will likely cause the death of an unborn child, excluding emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and certain medical treatments like miscarriage care. It creates civil penalties for abortion providers, "abortion funds" that help pay for abortions, and anyone who "aids or abets" abortions, including civil lawsuits under federal RICO laws for abortion pill distribution. The bill explicitly excludes emergency contraception (like Plan B), medical treatments for ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage care from its restrictions. It applies to individuals and entities facilitating abortions, with penalties enforced through civil actions rather than criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHF 445 modifies Iowa's education savings account program by creating two application windows for parents or guardians of eligible students attending nonpublic schools. It allows applications for the full school year (due Jan 1-June 30) or for a semester (due Dec 1-Dec 20). Applications submitted for a semester receive only 50% of the standard payment amount (instead of 100%), while school-year applications receive the full amount. The bill affects families seeking funds to cover qualified educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, or materials.

Maddy summaryHF 202 modifies Iowa's restricted driver's license rules for minors aged 14-18. It adds "attending religious worship services or participating in volunteer service programs at the licensee’s established place of religious worship" to the list of approved destinations for unsupervised driving. The bill maintains the existing 25-mile distance limit and requires driving during the hour before and after these activities. This change directly affects minors holding special minor’s restricted licenses who need to travel for religious purposes.

Maddy summaryHF 453 defines an "unborn child" as a human organism from fertilization to fetal death or live birth. It expands wrongful death damages (under Code 633.336) to include unborn children, applies homicide and assault criminal laws (via new sections 707.1A and 708.1A) to unborn children as legal victims, and ensures these cases receive the same legal protections as cases involving born individuals. The bill explicitly excludes life-saving medical procedures for the pregnant person and natural miscarriages from its application. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

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.

Maddy summaryHF 90 modifies continuing education requirements for licensed professionals in Iowa. It requires that all continuing education credits must directly relate to the licensed profession, prohibiting boards from imposing unrelated requirements. The bill also exempts licensed practitioners with at least ten years of experience and a master’s or doctoral degree from renewal requirements (unless they hold an evaluator endorsement needing ten-year renewal). Additionally, it mandates the Iowa Supreme Court to update attorney continuing education rules to ensure they only include practice-related requirements.