Rep. Bill Gustoff

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 Iowa bill (HF 56) expands a tax exclusion for farm tenancy income. It allows farmers who receive net income from farm tenancy agreements through certain business structures - like partnerships, S-corporations, trusts, or disregarded entities - to claim the same exclusion currently available only to those receiving income directly. The key change treats income from these entities as if received directly by the farmer, provided the farmer has the right to withdraw it. The exclusion applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2024, directly affecting farmers operating through such business entities.

Maddy summaryHF 415 clarifies how county and city boards of adjustment can grant variances from zoning rules for property owners. It requires property owners seeking exceptions to prove the difficulties are unique to their specific property (not self-created) and that the variance won’t significantly change the neighborhood’s character. The bill specifically covers variances for requirements like minimum lot size, setbacks, parking, signage, and building height. It does not change zoning rules but sets clearer standards for when boards may approve exceptions to allow beneficial property use.

Maddy summaryHF 920 appropriates $1 million from Iowa's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the Double Up Food Bucks program. The program provides matching funds for SNAP recipients to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores across Iowa. Starting January 1, 2026, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program participation, locations, and redemption rates. The funding does not expire at year-end but remains available for the program's continued operation.

Maddy summaryHF 191 prohibits the intentional emission of air contaminants within Iowa for the purpose of deliberately altering temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity (geoengineering). It directly affects any entity or individual conducting such emissions in the state, overriding conflicting existing laws. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Commission to adopt implementing rules, including emergency rules for immediate enforcement. Key mechanisms include a clear prohibition on weather-modification emissions and a mandate for the Commission to develop specific regulations under existing rulemaking procedures. The bill focuses solely on preventing intentional atmospheric manipulation, not general air pollution control.

Maddy summaryHF 88 modifies Iowa's education laws to clarify requirements for private instruction, world language teaching, and tuition tax credits. It requires parents of privately instructed children to submit detailed course outlines, immunization records, and blood lead test results by September 1 each year. The bill defines "independent private instruction" as non-accredited programs with ≤4 unrelated students, no tuition, and religious focus, while ensuring diplomas from such programs are treated equally to public school diplomas. It also prohibits altering grammatical gender in world language instruction (e.g., Spanish/French) and provides a 25.5% tax credit for tuition paid for kindergarten through grade 12. These changes apply immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 347 requires Iowa courts to consider a child's current educational setting (like public school, private school, or home instruction) when making temporary custody orders or joint legal custody decisions involving disagreements between parents. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that keeping the child in their previous school year's setting is in their best interest, which can only be overridden by sufficient evidence showing it harms the child. The bill mandates that all custody orders must clearly define each parent's rights and responsibilities regarding school access, records, decision-making, and removal from school - though it exempts families using private instruction from requiring school-day access. This directly affects parents in custody disputes over their child's education and school districts receiving custody orders.

Maddy summaryHF 47 defines "booking photograph" as a law enforcement image taken for identification after arrest or during custody. It classifies these photos as confidential records but allows release under four specific conditions: if the person is a fugitive (to aid capture), if they pose an imminent safety threat, if a judge orders release for a legitimate interest, or if the person was convicted or pled guilty to the offense. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and individuals whose photos are captured during arrests. This amendment to Iowa Code Section 22.7 clarifies when such images may be shared publicly without requiring additional court orders in limited circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies Iowa's regulation for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances (like scooters and mobility devices) by defining their maximum motor power output as "not more than 750 watts." It directly affects owners and users of these devices, ensuring they remain classified separately from standard motor vehicles. The bill specifies that devices meeting this power limit - equipped with pedals for e-bikes or designed for pedestrian use - will not be subject to standard vehicle laws. Devices exceeding 750 watts would instead fall under motor vehicle regulations. The change primarily clarifies existing language without altering the 750-watt threshold.

Maddy summaryHF 48 requires public employers in Iowa to grant leave to public employees running for elected office during election periods (30 days before an election until the day after) and prohibits public employers from retaliating against employees who seek public office. The bill also prohibits all employers in Iowa from restricting employees' political contributions, such as by requiring approval, setting contribution limits, or punishing employees for contributing or not contributing to political committees. Violating the public employee provisions is a simple misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail or a $855 fine), while violating contribution restrictions is a serious misdemeanor (up to one year in jail or a $2,560 fine). The bill directly affects public employees seeking elected office and all employers operating in Iowa.