Rep. Tom Jeneary

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 563 requires Iowa county and city assessors to use standardized metrics developed by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) to ensure equitable property valuations. Specifically, it mandates that assessments maintain a coefficient of dispersion (COD) below 15.99% and a price-related differential (PRD) between 0.98 and 1.03 for each property class, unless justified by "good cause." The bill also defines "like property" as all property within the same class for appeal purposes and limits the use of special counsel in assessment litigation to cases involving business entities. These changes directly affect local assessors, property owners appealing valuations, and taxing districts handling assessment disputes.

Maddy summaryHF 625 sets specific expiration dates for existing Iowa tax credit programs, with most ending between 2027 and 2041. It also establishes that any new tax credit program enacted after January 1, 2026, will automatically expire six years after its effective date. The bill preserves tax credits issued or awarded before January 1, 2031, ensuring taxpayers can still claim or redeem them. This affects Iowa taxpayers who currently use or may later claim these credits, but does not alter existing agreements or credits issued prior to the specified dates.

Maddy summaryHF 694 requires all public buildings, grounds, and government-owned vehicles in Iowa to display only specific flags: the U.S. flag, Iowa state flag, U.S. military flags, POW/MIA families' flag, local government flags (county/city), and two historical flags (Gadsden and Washington cruisers). It allows temporary, educational flag displays in public schools or museums related to curriculum (e.g., geography or cultural heritage), but prohibits permanent political displays. Violations carry a $10,000 daily civil penalty, with fines directed to a veterans trust fund, and repeated offenses may trigger withheld state funding. The bill directly affects government entities managing public spaces, not individual citizens.

Maddy summaryHF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.

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 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.