Rep. Carter Nordman

Maddy summaryHF 962 modifies the Iowa child and dependent care tax credit, affecting taxpayers who claim this credit against their individual income tax. It reduces the number of graduated income thresholds used to calculate the credit from seven to four. The bill also removes the current maximum income threshold for eligibility, allowing taxpayers with higher incomes to potentially claim the credit. Specifically, taxpayers with Iowa net income of $25,000 or more would be eligible for 50% of the federal child and dependent care credit. These changes would apply retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 966 proposes to exempt the sale of dietary supplements from the state sales tax. Currently, dietary supplements are subject to sales tax, similar to candy or soft drinks. This bill would amend existing law to remove dietary supplements from the list of items subject to sales tax. This change would reduce the cost for consumers purchasing products like vitamins and minerals, as the exemption also extends to the use tax.

Maddy summaryHF 603 requires all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic schools to implement specific safety measures, including installing break-resistant doors and locks that allow quick exit from classrooms, labeling all doors sequentially, and creating secure vestibule entry systems. It establishes a state-funded grant program to help schools purchase compliant doors and systems, with funds carried over annually instead of reverting. Schools must also adopt electronic threat reporting platforms, develop visitor entry plans, and create access control plans to monitor building entry. These requirements apply to all new construction, renovations, and door replacements starting on the bill’s effective date.

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 419 exempts from Iowa's state sales and use tax the cost of specific items purchased by hotels, motels, and similar lodging providers for direct guest use. The bill covers supplies like toiletries, towels, cleaning products, bottled water, and in-room amenities (e.g., coffee cups, TV service) when these items are actually consumed or used by the guest. This exemption applies only to supplies sold to the lodging provider for guest consumption, not for general business operations. The tax exemption also extends to use tax under Iowa law, as specified in the bill's explanation. The bill defines "lodging provider" as a business offering temporary lodging and "lodging supplies" as listed items used directly by guests.

Maddy summaryHF 627 caps the annual percentage rate (APR) for delayed deposit service transactions - like short-term cash advances - at 36% for licensed providers. It makes any transaction exceeding this rate void, requiring providers to refund all fees, interest, and principal collected. The bill also extends a lower rate cap (matching federal military protections under 10 U.S.C. §987) to active-duty military members, their spouses, and dependents. This directly affects payday lenders and similar providers operating in Iowa, limiting their ability to charge high fees on quick cash loans.

Maddy summaryHF 433 allows Iowa drivers to obtain special National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) license plates for a one-time $25 fee (plus $25 for personalized plates) and an annual $10 fee on top of regular registration. The fees collected are deposited into the road use tax fund and then transferred monthly to the state general fund, with the money appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR must use these funds to award grants prioritizing Iowa chapters of organizations focused on wild turkey habitat conservation, improving hunting opportunities, and increasing hunter participation. This directly affects vehicle owners who choose these specialty plates and supports conservation efforts through dedicated funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Archie and Nancy Martin for their historical support of Black students at Iowa State University. It recognizes their role in addressing housing discrimination by hosting students at their Ames home (the Martin House, now a historic landmark) and advocating with university leadership. The resolution also references existing honors, including Martin Hall (named in 2004) and scholarships established in 2008 to support students of color. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Martin family’s contributions to educational equity.

Maddy summaryHF 720 allows counties, cities, school districts, and townships (defined as "governmental units" with tax authority) to combine tax-related services through formal agreements. It enables these local governments to jointly handle tax levying, collection, and property valuation to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The bill establishes a legal framework for such collaborations under existing Chapter 28E of Iowa law. This change directly affects local governments seeking to streamline administrative functions, not individual residents or businesses.

Maddy summaryHF 540 amends Iowa law to allow operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with one additional passenger, beyond its original design, if the ATV has a commercially sold aftermarket or original equipment modification specifically designed for that ATV model to carry a passenger. This exception applies to non-farm operations, unlike the current rule which only permits extra passengers during farm activities. The modification must be manufactured for sale and designed to safely carry a passenger on that specific ATV type. The bill does not change the existing $135 fine for operating an ATV with more passengers than designed without meeting these criteria.