Rep. Sam Wengryn

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 582 requires county voter registrars and the state voter registrar to remove a voter's date of birth and home address from any voter registration list requested by a person. This bill directly affects voters whose personal information appears on publicly accessible voter lists when those lists are requested. The key provision mandates that specific personal details - including date of birth, home address, and other identifiers - must be deleted from the list before it is provided. The bill aims to enhance privacy by limiting the personal information shared in these voter lists upon request. It does not change voter eligibility or registration requirements.

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 429 requires Iowa's National Guard, Air National Guard, and Civil Air Patrol to not be deployed into active combat or hazardous foreign service unless the U.S. Congress has officially declared war specifically to repel an invasion, suppress an insurrection, or enforce federal laws. This bill directly affects state military units by adding a new condition for their deployment abroad, aligning with Iowa's legislative finding that Congress alone should declare war under the U.S. Constitution. It does not restrict the governor's authority to deploy troops for domestic purposes like disaster response or civil support. The bill aims to ensure state military units are only sent overseas when the federal government has formally declared war for defined national defense purposes.

Maddy summaryHF 279 clarifies procedures for declaring and managing state disaster emergencies, including public health disasters. It requires governors to issue written proclamations detailing the affected area, basis for the emergency, and specifically noting public health designations. The bill explicitly prohibits emergency measures that infringe constitutional rights without strong justification, restrict religious interactions, use surveillance without consent, or limit healthcare professionals' licensed practices. It also bans mandatory disease contact monitoring that violates freedom of association and ensures individuals retain final authority over medical exams and vaccinations during emergencies. These provisions aim to balance emergency response with protected rights and healthcare access.

Maddy summaryHF 280 prohibits the governor from closing, mandating, or regulating places of worship during disasters or public health emergencies, including under emergency proclamations. It directly affects religious congregations using buildings designated as active places of worship. The bill defines "place of worship" as a building where an active congregation gathers for worship. This law would prevent executive actions restricting religious gatherings during declared emergencies. The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee after being introduced on February 10, 2025.