Rep. Brett Barker

Maddy summaryHF 2160 allows Iowa political candidates and their committees to use campaign funds for reasonable personal and home security expenses, including costs for firearms, equipment, and training. Candidates must maintain detailed logs of each expense (date, provider, cost) and include total security costs in campaign finance reports, preserving these records for five years. Violations of this rule could result in civil penalties up to $2,000 or criminal charges for willful breaches. The bill directly affects candidates and their committees managing campaign finances in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 2009 defines key terms related to 340B drugs (prescription drugs sold at reduced prices under federal law) and prohibits drug manufacturers or distributors from interfering with covered entities (like hospitals or clinics) acquiring these drugs or delivering them to contract pharmacies. It specifically bans manufacturers or distributors from denying, restricting, or hindering this process unless federal health authorities have already prohibited it. The bill directly affects healthcare providers using 340B pricing and the pharmacies that serve them. It ensures that state-level rules align with federal 340B program requirements by preventing unnecessary barriers to accessing these discounted drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Iowa's vehicle registration plate requirements. It allows most vehicle owners to display just one plate (instead of two) on the rear of their vehicle, with annual registration renewed using a validation sticker instead of replacing the physical plate each year. Older vehicles (1948 or earlier) may also display a single plate if the second plate is kept in the vehicle. The changes apply to all registered motor vehicles in Iowa, simplifying renewal processes and reducing the need for physical plate replacements.

Maddy summaryHF 2107 appropriates $2.5 million from the state general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding will administer and provide matching state funds to the statewide child care solutions fund program, which matches private donations to expand child care access across Iowa. The program directly affects child care providers and families by increasing available funding for child care services through public-private partnerships. The bill creates no new regulations but allocates existing state funds to support this matching mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 2083 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to pay the same rate for child care provided to foster children enrolled in the state child care assistance program as it pays for child care for children with special needs. This applies to foster children already participating in the state's child care assistance program, ensuring they receive comparable financial support for their care. The bill mandates the department to update its administrative rules to implement this equal payment rate. The change directly affects foster children and their caregivers by aligning child care funding with existing rates for children with special needs. This is a policy adjustment within an existing state assistance program, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 13, 2025, enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria. It recognizes their service, sacrifice, and posthumous promotions to staff sergeant, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa National Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' respect for their lives and sacrifice, and directs copies to be sent to their families as a gesture of recognition. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy or funding changes, solely intended to honor the fallen service members and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Iowa's retirement system rules for public employees. It allows members who retire under the Iowa public employees' retirement system to return to work as school district support staff after receiving just one month of retirement benefits, instead of the current four-month waiting period. The change applies only to those whose retirement benefits begin in July 2026 or later. This directly affects Iowa public school employees who retire and later seek similar support staff positions within school districts.

Maddy summaryHF 2035 increases reimbursement rates for child care providers participating in Iowa's state child care assistance program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to set half-day care reimbursement rates at the 85th percentile of the state's 2024 market rate survey for child care services. This change directly affects licensed child care providers who accept state-funded assistance for low-income families. The bill implements a specific, data-driven adjustment to payment rates based on annual market analysis, without creating new program requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2075 prohibits operating mini-trucks on Iowa highways with speed limits exceeding 55 mph (except when crossing intersections at intersections) and bans mini-trucks from being registered as antique vehicles. Mini-trucks are defined as small four-wheeled vehicles designed for property transport, with engines under 660cc and specific size limits (max 130" long, 78" high, 60" wide). Violating these rules constitutes a simple misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $105-$855 fine. The bill applies directly to owners and operators of mini-trucks meeting this definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 2008) amends Iowa's child care assistance program to ensure child care providers receive payments for foster children who miss scheduled care days. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to allow payments for up to 16 half-days per year when a foster child is absent from their regularly scheduled child care, provided the provider also charges families not in the assistance program for similar absences. The policy directly affects child care providers serving foster children in Iowa and ensures consistent reimbursement for approved absences. It does not change eligibility for foster care itself but adjusts payment rules within the existing child care assistance program.