Rep. Brett Barker

Maddy summaryHF 2406 imposes a 22.5% tax on the wholesale sales price for alternative nicotine products and vapor products, in addition to existing taxes on tobacco products like cigars and snuff. It defines "nicotine" broadly to include nicotine analogs and substances mimicking nicotine, and limits packages of alternative nicotine products to 20 individually consumable units. Starting January 1, 2029, tax rates will adjust annually based on inflation, determined by statewide surveys of cigarette retail prices (excluding tax-driven increases). The bill affects distributors and retailers of these products in Iowa, with tax revenue collected by the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Maddy summaryHF 2400 requires Iowa's Department of Administrative Services to create and maintain an online contractor performance assessment system for public improvement projects. The system will grade architects, engineers, and contractors based on three specific metrics: whether work was completed on time, if costs stayed within budget, and the history of change orders. Governmental entities will use this publicly accessible system to evaluate if potential bidders are "responsible" for future public contracts. This bill directly affects contractors working on state-funded projects by establishing a standardized way to assess their performance.

Maddy summaryHF 564 allows Iowa government entities to reject the lowest qualified bid for public construction projects based on a bidder's experience, employee count, or financial ability - not just price - and requires them to explain the rejection in writing. It also sets a $150 million cost threshold for using "guaranteed maximum price" contracts (replacing standard bidding for large projects) and mandates that construction managers' proposals include full cost breakdowns without contingency fees. Contractors rejected under these rules can legally challenge the decision in court if they believe it was arbitrary, fraudulent, or in bad faith. The bill directly affects public contractors, government agencies, and construction managers handling projects over $150 million.

Maddy summaryHF 2314 requires Iowa health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANS), PANDAS (a subset of PANS), and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy. It mandates coverage for medically necessary treatments - like antibiotics, behavioral therapies, plasma exchange, and immunoglobulin - as recommended by a healthcare provider and aligned with established medical protocols. The law applies to individual, group, and small group health insurance plans delivered or renewed in Iowa on or after January 1, 2027, and prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on prior treatment for these conditions or unrelated health issues. This directly affects children diagnosed with these conditions and their insurance providers.

Maddy summaryHF 2178 establishes a certification system for reflexologists in Iowa. It requires applicants to complete a 200-hour approved education program covering anatomy, reflexology techniques, and ethics; pass an approved exam; provide proof of active certification from the American Reflexology Certification Board (or equivalent); meet age and background check requirements; and pay fees ($50 initial, $40 renewal). The bill defines reflexology as manual techniques applied to feet/hands for wellness support (not medical diagnosis), and allows certification for those already certified in other states. The Iowa Board of Medicine will administer the certification process and set related rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2154 modifies Iowa law regarding sibling placement in foster care. It removes the requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or a placement agency to place siblings together when custody has been transferred to HHS, *if* all three conditions are met: (1) custody was previously transferred to HHS and HHS placed one sibling, (2) HHS placed the child or sibling, and (3) HHS determined the siblings have little or no established relationship. This bill directly affects children in foster care under HHS custody whose siblings are also in care. The change applies specifically to cases where HHS has already made a placement decision and assessed the sibling relationship.

Maddy summaryHF 2225 creates a tax credit for Iowa residents who paid nonresident tuition at state universities and later work in the state as health care professionals, teachers, licensed veterinarians, or professional engineers. The credit equals 100% of the difference between the nonresident and resident tuition rates they paid during their studies, available within three years of graduation while employed in Iowa. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future income tax, but it is not refundable and does not apply to nonresidents. The bill requires the Board of Regents to publish historical tuition rates online and applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2055 requires schools, food establishments, carnivals, recreational camps, youth sports facilities, and sports arenas in Iowa to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors. Facilities must obtain a prescription for these devices, store them securely, and replace them after use or expiration. Trained staff authorized to administer epinephrine may use the supply to treat individuals having severe allergic reactions, with liability protection for staff, facility owners, and prescribers acting in good faith. This bill directly affects public venues where large groups gather, ensuring immediate access to life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis.

Maddy summaryHF 2076 changes how Iowa electric utilities handle unused energy credits for customers with distributed generation (like rooftop solar). It requires utilities to keep excess kilowatt-hour credits in a customer’s account to offset future bills, rather than automatically cashing them out annually. Customers must now actively request a cash-out or when ending service, at the utility’s avoided cost rate, with funds split between the customer and the low-income energy assistance program. This bill directly affects residential and small business solar customers who generate excess electricity.

Maddy summaryHF 2109 redirects 7% of criminal case fines collected within a county to a new victim restitution fund, instead of allocating it to county general funds. The bill establishes this fund in the state treasury, with funds administered by the Department of Justice to cover financial damages victims incur from crimes (like medical costs or lost wages), as defined by existing law. It changes the current 91% to state court administrator and 9% to county funds to an 85% to state, 8% to county, and 7% to the victim fund. Unspent funds in the victim restitution account will carry over annually instead of reverting. This directly affects victims of crime who receive restitution payments and alters how criminal fines are distributed.