Rep. Heather Matson

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily prevents gas and electric public utilities in Iowa from raising customer rates or charges through December 31, 2030. It applies to all utilities providing gas or electric service, including smaller providers, electric cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities. The law prohibits any new or changed rates, automatic adjustments, or temporary rate increases that would result in higher bills for customers during this period. The Iowa Utilities Commission will oversee the regulation of this rate freeze for smaller utility providers. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2223 creates a new residential property tax rebate program for Iowa homeowners, funded from the taxpayer relief fund, applicable to property taxes due in fiscal years 2026-2027. It modifies existing homestead tax credit rules to expand eligibility for elderly and disabled residents (ages 65+ with income under 250% of federal poverty level) and adds a new credit calculation method for homes where property value didn’t increase due to improvements. The bill also adjusts how homestead credits are calculated, covering up to $14,550 of a home’s value, and sets the effective date for most changes as July 1, 2027. These provisions directly affect Iowa homeowners, particularly seniors and low-income residents, by providing potential tax relief through modified credits and a new rebate.

Maddy summaryHF 2451 sets a 60-minute daily limit on digital instruction for Iowa students in kindergarten through fifth grade, excluding uses like IEP-required technology, teacher demonstrations, or state assessments. It requires school districts to adopt written technology use policies for these grades, including daily limits, a list of digital platforms, parent opt-out rights, and a statement that technology should support foundational learning. The bill also mandates a technology adoption checklist for one-to-one device programs, covering instructional purpose, age appropriateness, content filtering, and student data practices. These policies and checklists must be published online for public access. The bill applies to all school districts, charter schools, and innovation school zones in Iowa.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases taxes on cigarettes, tobacco products, and vapor products in Iowa. It imposes new wholesale tax rates of 22% and 28% on these products (with exceptions for little cigars and snuff), and similar retail rates based on the product cost. These changes directly affect retailers who sell these products and consumers who purchase them. The tax structure replaces previous rates and requires electronic payment reporting for compliance.

Maddy summaryHF 2663 appropriates $2 million to fund a University of Iowa study on the underlying causes of cancer rates in Iowa, and $3 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants supporting clinical cancer research and improving access to cancer research trials for Iowa residents. The funds would cover research costs at the university and allow the health department to provide grants to public or private organizations running cancer research programs. This is a funding measure for research infrastructure, not a direct healthcare service or treatment program.

Maddy summaryHF 2665 requires new single-family and two-family residential construction (after adoption) to include passive radon mitigation systems in the building code. It creates a tax credit of up to $1,000 for homeowners and renters to cover the cost of installing radon mitigation systems, applying retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. For rental properties, tenants can test for radon (with results ≥4 picocuries per liter triggering landlord action), and landlords must install mitigation systems within 90 days or face lease termination with rent refunds. The bill also appropriates $100,000 for free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters through the state health department.

Maddy summaryHF 2612 requires public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools to adopt policies granting students in grades 6-12 at least one excused absence per school year for participating in specific civic or political events. The policy mandates students provide at least 24 hours' notice to school administrators before the event. Eligible events include voting, serving as a poll worker, attending government meetings, political rallies, forums, or town halls. Crucially, absences for these events will not count toward chronic absenteeism metrics or affect truancy enforcement. This bill directly affects school boards and students in grades 6-12 across Iowa's public and accredited nonpublic school systems.

Maddy summaryHF 2613 requires accredited nonpublic schools accepting education savings account funds to annually report to Iowa's Department of Education the total amount received, detailed expenditures (including salaries and infrastructure), and publish a budget identifying these funds' intended use. It also mandates parents/guardians who decline participation or withdraw students to report their reasons to the Department. The Department must compile this data and submit an annual report to the Iowa General Assembly by September 1, including total funds distributed, school receipts, expenditure details, and participation withdrawal reasons. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools, families using savings accounts, and the Department of Education through new transparency requirements. The policy focuses on tracking fund usage and program participation without altering eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHF 2632 lowers the vote threshold for school district bond approvals from 60% to a simple majority (over 50%). This change applies specifically to school districts, while counties, cities, and other local governments must still secure 60% approval for bond measures. The bill amends Iowa Code sections 75.1 and 296.6 to reflect this distinction. All bond elections must still occur on the date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph "d".

Maddy summaryHF 2455 repeals Iowa's existing law that prohibited abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected through medical testing. This bill removes the legal restriction on physicians performing abortions following the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The repeal would directly affect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Iowa by eliminating this specific prohibition.