Rep. Heather Matson

Maddy summaryHF 2453 allows Iowa school districts to use existing general fund flexibility accounts for costs to expand preschool programs for four-year-olds. This directly affects school districts by expanding the permitted uses of funds they already manage under state law. The bill amends Section 298A.2, subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraph (1) to specifically include "start-up costs and costs to expand" approved local preschool programs. The key change is redirecting current flexibility funds toward preschool expansion without creating new state funding.

Maddy summaryHF 2483 regulates towing and impounding of vehicles in Iowa, directly affecting tow companies and property owners (like parking lot operators). It requires tow operators to obtain owner consent before towing (with safety exceptions), post clear signage, document vehicles with photos, and maintain detailed records. The bill limits fees (no storage charge for the first 24 hours, max $20 if towing stops early), mandates 24-hour owner notifications with location and fee details, and requires tow companies to display rates and provide complaint instructions. Vehicle owners gain rights to record towing actions, retrieve personal property without fees, and receive itemized billing.

Maddy summaryHF 2449 allows Iowa school districts to partner with cities and counties to jointly purchase group health insurance, nonprofit hospital plans, nonprofit medical plans, or group life insurance for their employees. Currently, school districts can only partner with other school districts or area education agencies for these plans, but this bill expands that option to include municipal and county governments. The key change is amending Iowa Code 279.12 to explicitly permit these new agreements, while clarifying they won't be classified as federal "multiple employer welfare arrangements." This directly affects school districts, cities, and counties seeking cost-effective health insurance solutions for their workforce.

Maddy summaryHF 2454 creates a temporary license for mental health counselors who have met all licensing requirements except the postgraduate supervised clinical experience. This allows school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to hire such temporary counselors to provide mental health services to students under a qualified supervisor. The temporary license is valid for three years and renewable, with fees set by the licensing board to cover administrative costs. Schools must ensure these counselors work under supervision as defined by the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 2426) allows Iowa pharmacists to order and administer epinephrine delivery systems to adults under existing statewide protocols. It directly affects pharmacists and adults at risk of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions). The key change defines "epinephrine delivery systems" to include auto-injectors and nasal sprays, expanding pharmacists' authority to provide these life-saving devices without a separate prescription. The bill does not create new requirements but updates current protocols to include these specific treatments.

Maddy summaryHF 263 requires all physically able students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Iowa public and accredited nonpublic schools to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, separate from required physical education classes. Schools must ensure this activity occurs unless a student is suspended, expelled, absent (including due to illness), or circumstances like inclement weather or early dismissal prevent it. The bill explicitly prohibits using physical education class to fulfill this 30-minute daily activity requirement. It applies directly to K-5 students and school staff responsible for implementing the activity schedule.

Maddy summaryHF 2364 requires Iowa legislators' salaries to be suspended if the state fails to enact specific budget funding levels (state percent of growth and categorical state percent of growth) within 30 days of the governor's budget transmission. This applies directly to Iowa legislators during the regular legislative session. If the required budget provisions aren't passed by the deadline, salaries are suspended starting on day 31 and remain suspended until the funding levels are enacted. Any withheld salary is forfeited and not paid retroactively upon later enactment of the budget provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2373 proposes a state-run retirement savings program for Iowa workers. It requires employers with five or more employees to automatically enroll eligible workers (aged 18+ working 120+ days annually) in a trust managed by the Iowa Treasurer, with a default contribution rate set by the Treasurer. Participants can opt out, adjust contribution levels, or choose from low-risk investment options, including a target date fund as the default. Employers must provide annual enrollment periods and educational materials about the program. The bill is currently in committee and aims to expand retirement savings access for Iowa workers through employer-based enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Iowa's education savings account program eligibility. For the 2025 school year (starting July 1, 2025), it maintains current rules allowing nonpublic school students (K-12) to receive payments. Starting July 1, 2026, it adds an income requirement: households must earn 400% or less of the U.S. federal poverty income guidelines to qualify. The change directly affects families with children attending nonpublic schools who seek these state-funded education savings accounts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2156 modifies Iowa's unemployment insurance rules for educational staff employed between academic terms. It removes the current provision that allowed workers to receive retroactive benefits if they had "reasonable assurance" of returning to the same role but were not rehired. Under this bill, individuals performing services for an educational institution before a vacation or holiday break are ineligible for unemployment benefits during that break, even if they had assurance of continued work afterward. This change directly affects non-instructional, non-research, and non-principal administrative staff at schools who might otherwise qualify for benefits during academic transitions. The bill does not create new funding requirements, as school districts will cover costs using existing state foundation aid.