Rep. Dean Fisher

Maddy summaryHF 458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund nonprofit organizations operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. Eligible nonprofits must be state-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as their primary mission. The program requires grantees to provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural residents, and people with disabilities - and conduct mandatory trainings for medical staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. Grantees must submit annual reports on services delivered but may seek additional funding from other sources, with the contract structured as general reimbursement for operating costs.

Maddy summaryHF 29 caps annual fur dealer license fees at $50 for both Iowa residents and nonresidents, directly affecting fur dealers operating in Iowa. Currently, residents pay $264 annually and nonresidents pay $586.50 annually (or $292.50 for one day/location), with nonresidents from states without reciprocity paying higher fees. The bill replaces existing fee structures by establishing a flat maximum fee, regardless of residency or reciprocity agreements. This change simplifies licensing costs but significantly lowers fees for most dealers compared to current administrative rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.

Maddy summaryHR 114 is a resolution that formally honors the 30 Iowans who died and the four Iowans who survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. The bill recognizes the service of these individuals and the ship, which delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian before being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. This measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to the men who served from Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 2145 prohibits the Iowa governor from closing, mandating restrictions on, or regulating places of worship during any emergency, including disaster declarations or public health crises. It directly affects all religious buildings in Iowa with an active congregation, ensuring they cannot be subject to executive orders under emergency powers. The bill explicitly defines "place of worship" as a building where a congregation regularly gathers for religious practice, blocking any governor-led restrictions during emergencies. This is a procedural measure limiting executive authority, not creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2091 prohibits falsely claiming to hold an academic degree or credentials for employment or personal gain. It defines this as a fraudulent practice, making it a class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines between $1,025 and $10,245. The bill directly affects individuals who misrepresent their education to secure jobs or other benefits. Key provisions establish clear penalties for this specific type of fraud, aligning it with existing fraudulent practice laws under Iowa code.

Maddy summaryHF 2148 eliminates Iowa's "smart planning principles" by repealing Chapter 18B of the Iowa Code, which previously required local governments to consider 10 specific planning guidelines in their comprehensive plans and zoning decisions. This bill directly affects cities and counties across Iowa, removing a mandatory requirement to incorporate these principles when developing or updating land-use plans, zoning regulations, or infrastructure projects. Key provisions include deleting references to the smart planning principles from multiple sections of Iowa law and repealing the foundational sections (18B.1 and 18B.2) that mandated their use. As a result, local governments will no longer need to formally consider these specific principles during planning processes, shifting planning authority to local discretion without state-mandated guidelines.

Maddy summaryHF 632 limits civil liability for motocross facilities in Iowa by granting them immunity from lawsuits related to typical dangers of motocross activities, such as weather, terrain hazards, or operator error. This applies to facility operators (like rental parks or event organizers) and directly affects participants (riders) who cannot sue for injuries caused by these inherent risks. The bill includes exceptions where facilities remain liable for intentional harm, negligence causing injury, providing unsafe equipment, or failing to exercise reasonable care. It also requires facilities to post clear warning signs stating that Iowa law limits their liability for such inherent risks. The bill does not affect existing claims or common law defenses for injuries occurring before its effective date.

Maddy summaryHF 463 creates two specialized human trafficking prosecution units within Iowa's Department of Justice, one serving western Iowa and the other eastern Iowa (divided by Interstate 35). These units will bring together prosecutors, investigators, law enforcement, victim services, healthcare professionals, and community advocates to investigate, prosecute human trafficking cases, and support victims. The units will also provide community training and technical assistance to raise awareness. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking and requires coordination between the Attorney General's office, public safety, and health agencies. It defines "human trafficking" using the existing legal standard from Iowa Code section 710A.1.

Maddy summaryHR 110 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for the "Phoenix Declaration," a set of educational principles. It does not create new laws or policies but formally endorses the declaration's emphasis on parental choice in education, transparency in schools, teaching foundational American history and values, and curricular focus on core subjects and character development. The resolution directly affects congressional record-keeping and symbolic recognition, not actual school operations or funding. It has no concrete policy impact beyond stating the House's belief in these educational principles.