Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell

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 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 2708 modifies Iowa's penalties for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) that unintentionally causes injury. It creates a new aggravated misdemeanor charge for OWI causing injury that does not meet the legal definition of "serious injury" (e.g., minor harm not requiring surgery or severe disfigurement). A first offense carries up to two years in jail and fines of $855-$8,540, while a second or subsequent offense becomes a class D felony punishable by up to five years in jail and fines of $1,025-$10,245. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of OWI causing non-serious injury, adjusting penalties to better align with the severity of the harm caused.

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.

Maddy summaryHF 2416 prohibits the construction or expansion of confinement feeding operation structures (including partially roofed facilities) in Iowa, affecting most livestock operations. It allows exceptions for small animal feeding operations and ongoing projects begun before the bill's effective date. The moratorium ends 30 days after Iowa's Department of Natural Resources publishes a notice confirming fewer than 100 impaired water bodies on the state's 303(d) list. The bill amends Iowa's Animal Agriculture Compliance Act to implement this temporary construction freeze, which takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2421 ensures uninterrupted SNAP benefits for Iowa households if federal funding for the program stops due to a government shutdown. It requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use leftover state general fund money - unspent or uncommitted for that fiscal year - to continue providing full SNAP benefits at the same level as federal funding would have covered. This mechanism keeps eligible households receiving assistance until federal funds are restored, with HHS developing implementing rules. The bill directly affects Iowa SNAP recipients and prevents benefit disruptions during federal funding gaps.

Maddy summaryHF 2418 gives Iowa counties new authority to regulate the location and management of large confinement feeding operations (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 swine). Counties can now adopt siting ordinances requiring board approval before construction or expansion of such facilities, including setting stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law. The bill specifically affects developers and operators of large confinement feeding operations, while exempting smaller agricultural structures under existing farm exemptions. It does not replace state environmental permits but adds a new layer of county approval for siting decisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2394 creates a state-funded matching program for private donations to Iowa's nonprofit food banks. It appropriates $1 million annually (starting July 1, 2026) from the general fund to match the total private donations reported by qualifying food banks for tax purposes in the prior fiscal year. The Department of Health and Human Services manages the fund and distributes these matching dollars annually to nonprofit food banks that meet federal tax-exempt criteria (501(c)(3)). Unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year, and any interest earned stays in the fund.

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.