Rep. Larry McBurney

Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments, to register their agricultural land holdings in Iowa with the Secretary of State, with specific information about the land and owners to be filed. The key mechanism establishes that this registration data and related reports will remain confidential records, accessible only to the attorney general for law enforcement purposes and to state government officials for oversight. The legislation mandates an annual summary report of foreign landholdings to be provided to the governor and General Assembly, while maintaining restrictions on public access to these details. The bill applies to land interests acquired on or after January 1, 1980, and requires registration within 60 days of acquisition or the specified date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded health insurance subsidy program to help Iowans maintain affordable health coverage after federal subsidies expire in 2026. It establishes a new state fund that will provide financial assistance equal to the value of the federal premium tax credit that would have been available in 2025, ensuring residents do not lose coverage due to the federal funding reduction. The program requires applicants to submit standard health insurance application information including income and immigration status, with subsidies potentially available retroactively from January 1, 2026. State agencies will develop an online application system, and the bill appropriates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these subsidies until federal credits are restored.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Percentage of Income Payment Plan Program administered by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to help low-income individuals pay off unpaid utility bills. The program is available to those who qualify for the low-income home energy assistance program, and participants cannot receive benefits from that program while enrolled. Under the plan, utility companies must stop collecting unpaid balances and stop charging interest on them, while the department creates a payment schedule requiring individuals to pay between 2.4% and 6% of their gross monthly income toward their utility bills. When individuals make their monthly payments, the department covers the remaining balance for that month and applies their payments toward the total arrears, with any remaining debt becoming due upon discharge from the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes and funds the Firsthome program and the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority. The Firsthome program provides grants up to $10,000 for down payments and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers who meet income, credit score, and debt-to-income requirements while completing homebuyer education. The Military Home Ownership Assistance Program receives a $2.2 million state appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to continue offering financial assistance to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces purchasing homes. The bill also defines eligibility criteria, including specific service history requirements for military personnel and their surviving spouses, and requires the Finance Authority to adopt rules to implement the programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes funding and programs to improve water quality in Iowa through agricultural best management practices, tax credits, and monitoring initiatives. It allocates approximately $28 million to support a water quality monitoring network and the water quality initiative, which will help farmers implement practices that reduce nutrient pollution in watersheds. The legislation creates a tax credit for agricultural operations that install eligible water quality practices and expands funding for the Iowa Clean Water Farm Program to encourage voluntary adoption of conservation measures. Additionally, the bill provides for water quality practices loans and establishes a cost-share program where the state may contribute up to 50 percent of the cost for eligible projects, while also supporting urban soil and water conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Iowa calculates and distributes funding to area education agencies and school districts, primarily adjusting the foundation base percentages used to determine regular program and special education support services funding. It establishes new formulas for calculating professional development supplements starting in 2026 and requires that at least 90% of special education support services funds received by districts after 2025 be used for services contracted from area education agencies. The legislation also ensures that certain teacher and professional development supplements are paid in full even if the governor orders budget reductions, protecting these specific funding categories from cuts. Additionally, the bill clarifies rounding rules for most funding computations and includes a legislative intent statement linking school funding quality to student education quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal for retailers in Iowa to charge customers a higher price at checkout than the price shown on shelves, displays, or other visible pricing at the time the customer selected the item. The law allows stores to offer lower prices at checkout but prohibits price increases after a customer has chosen a product. If a retailer violates this rule, they could face court orders to stop the practice, return collected money, and pay civil penalties of up to $40,000 for each violation. The legislation applies to all retail transactions where pricing is displayed before purchase.

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 2476 allows Iowans with nonapparent disabilities - such as autism spectrum disorder, mental disabilities, or developmental disabilities - to request a special mark on their driver’s license or nonoperator ID card. The mark would feature a butterfly design approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation or another method the department deems sufficient to indicate the disability. Individuals must apply when renewing or initially obtaining the license/ID and may need to provide medical proof. The department will note this status in its electronic database for law enforcement access and create educational materials about the option.

Maddy summaryHF 2370 creates a confidential "green alert" system in Iowa for missing at-risk veterans, defined as those reported missing due to mental health crises, substance issues, or other well-being concerns. The system requires verification by a peace officer before activating a nonpublic alert shared only with specific agencies (like law enforcement, hospitals, and veteran support groups) to locate the veteran and provide voluntary assistance. It prohibits using the alert for arrests without independent probable cause, mandates 72-hour reviews, and penalizes false reports as a simple misdemeanor. The bill prioritizes de-escalation and trauma-informed responses while protecting veterans' privacy through strict data handling.