Rep. Austin Harris

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes and commends the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 50th anniversary. It highlights NCSL's role as a bipartisan organization supporting state legislatures through research, idea-sharing, and fostering cooperation. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses congressional appreciation and directs the House Chief Clerk to send a copy to NCSL.

Maddy summaryHF 596 changes Iowa's election recount rules for most races. It requires a recount if the vote difference between the apparent winner and the requesting candidate is 1% or less, with specific deadlines (e.g., by 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday after election day). Candidates must post a bond for recounts unless the margin is under 50 votes or 0.1% of total votes. The bill also standardizes recount procedures, including forming a recount board with representatives from both candidates and a neutral third member, and clarifies that statewide election recounts will be managed by the state election commissioner. This directly affects candidates seeking recounts and county/state election officials handling the process.

Maddy summaryHF 127 requires Iowa counties with populations of 125,000+ (based on the latest census) or those containing a state university campus to use "Plan Three" for electing county supervisors. This means these counties must adopt a specific representation map for supervisor elections, with new maps due by October 2025 for the 2026 general election. For supervisor vacancies, the bill mandates special elections in larger counties (125k+ population or university campuses) but allows appointments in smaller counties instead. The bill directly affects county governance structures in qualifying counties, altering both election planning and vacancy procedures.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Archie and Nancy Martin for their historical support of Black students at Iowa State University. It recognizes their role in addressing housing discrimination by hosting students at their Ames home (the Martin House, now a historic landmark) and advocating with university leadership. The resolution also references existing honors, including Martin Hall (named in 2004) and scholarships established in 2008 to support students of color. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Martin family’s contributions to educational equity.

Maddy summaryHF 634 establishes an annual fee for landowners who maintain forest and fruit-tree reservations that currently qualify for property tax exemptions under Iowa law. Starting January 1, 2026, fees will be paid by September 1 each year to the county treasurer and deposited into the county general fund. The fee amount depends on location: $2 per acre if the reservation is in the same county as the owner's homestead, $3 per acre if in a contiguous county, and a calculated rate based on county property taxes and corn ratings for all other reservations (including those within city limits). This replaces the current tax exemption with a location-based fee structure, directly affecting landowners with designated forest or fruit-tree reservations.

Maddy summaryHF 115 requires Iowa institutions of higher education to adopt policies prohibiting nonimmigrant visa holders (including F-1, M-1, and J-1 students and staff) from publicly supporting or advocating for terrorist activities or organizations defined under federal law. Institutions must investigate credible allegations of violations, impose a minimum one-year suspension for first offenses, and require permanent expulsion or termination for second offenses. The bill mandates institutions to update federal student exchange records when enforcing these penalties and prohibits individuals suspended or expelled under this law from transferring to other Iowa institutions. It takes effect December 31, 2025, with enforcement handled by the attorney general, who may withhold state tuition grants from non-compliant institutions.

Maddy summaryHF 107 allows registered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road utility vehicles (ORVs) to operate on Iowa public hunting areas **only** for transporting a legally harvested deer carcass out of the area. It requires all operators and passengers to wear blaze orange apparel (like vests or jackets) until the carcass is removed, enhancing safety visibility. This creates a specific exception to existing rules that generally prohibit ATV/ORV use in public hunting areas, except on designated trails. The bill does not permit general ATV/ORV use in these areas but addresses a practical need for hunters to move harvested game. It aligns with current safety standards by maintaining the requirement for visible clothing during the transport process.

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 113 allows small Iowa school districts (with 200 or fewer students for three consecutive budget years) to redirect leftover funds from specific levy accounts - like the physical plant fund and public education fund - for general district purposes (excluding salaries or benefits) for up to five years. To do this, the school board must first get voter approval through an election requiring at least 60% of votes cast. The bill amends Iowa Code sections 298.3, 298A.6, and 423F.3 to establish this process, including requiring a new election every five years to renew the authorization. This applies only to unspent funds already in those designated accounts.