Rep. Jennifer Konfrst

Maddy summaryHF 283 raises Iowa's minimum hourly wage to $10.00 starting July 1, 2025, then to $12.50 on July 1, 2026, and $15.00 on July 1, 2027. It establishes a lower starting wage of $9.10 for new employees during their first 90 days of employment, increasing to $11.60 and $14.10 in 2026 and 2027 respectively. After 2027, the minimum wage will automatically increase annually on July 1 by the same percentage as the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The bill ensures the wage never decreases and affects all hourly workers in Iowa, including new hires during their initial 90-day period.

Maddy summaryHF 251 requires Iowa's state board of education to publish detailed information about nonpublic schools accredited by independent agencies. The board must list each school, the specific educational standards the accrediting agency required for accreditation, and any amendments or waivers to those standards. This information will be posted on the education department's website and updated annually by June 30. The bill expands transparency by making school-level accreditation details publicly available, moving beyond the current requirement that only listed accrediting agencies.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish new rules for Iowa citizens to directly propose constitutional changes or new laws through petitions, and to refer bills passed by the legislature to voter approval. It requires petition signatures equal to 8% of the previous gubernatorial vote in at least three-fourths of congressional districts for constitutional amendments, and 5% for proposed laws or referendums on bills. Petitions must be submitted 6 months before elections for initiatives or within 90 days of a legislative session for referendums, and initiatives cannot create new spending without new revenue. The amendment also excludes emergency bills, current spending, and school funding from referendum, and states that referendum-approved bills take effect without governor approval. This is a proposed constitutional change, not yet enacted, requiring voter ratification after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.

Maddy summaryHCR 3 is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint meeting of Iowa's legislature on January 16, 2025, to hear an update on the Iowa National Guard. It directs the House and Senate to convene together at 10:00 a.m. that day and invites Major General Stephen E. Osborn to present the Guard's current condition, including readiness and needs. This resolution directly affects the Iowa General Assembly (which must attend) and the Iowa National Guard (which must provide the briefing). It does not create new laws or policies, but formalizes a routine legislative review process for the Guard's status.

Maddy summaryHCR 2 is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint meeting of the state legislature on January 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. It invites Chief Justice Susan Christensen to present the judiciary's condition report and recommendations under state law. This resolution directly affects the judicial branch by providing a formal forum for the Chief Justice to address the legislature. As a procedural measure, it does not change laws but sets the date for the annual judiciary condition address.

Maddy summaryHCR 1 is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint meeting of Iowa's House and Senate for Governor Kim Reynolds to deliver her budget message. It sets a specific date (January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.) for this convention, which the Governor is invited to address. The resolution directly affects the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President by establishing the formal meeting structure. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws but organizes a routine legislative event.