Rep. Dean Fisher

Maddy summaryHF 242 creates a new court review process for property owners and applicants involved in Iowa Utilities Commission eminent domain cases. It allows individuals whose property is subject to eminent domain to petition Polk County district court for a declaratory judgment about legal rights and status before the commission makes a final decision, with a $10 filing fee paid to the court clerk (deposited into the state general fund). The bill prohibits bond requirements for appeals or injunctions related to these reviews and sets conditions for new actions after 18 months or changed circumstances, requiring a different county and judge to review the case anew without relying on prior decisions.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 is a resolution passed by Iowa's legislature requesting Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose fiscal limits on federal spending, reduce federal power over states, and restrict congressional and federal official terms. This is a procedural application - meaning it does not change laws itself but asks Congress to convene a convention to draft such amendments. Iowa's application remains active until two-thirds of states apply for a similar convention or Iowa withdraws it. The resolution specifically limits the convention's purpose to these three policy areas.

Maddy summaryHF 205 modifies Iowa's deer hunting license rules for nonambulatory hunters (those unable to walk). It restricts the use of specific firearms (shotguns, muzzleloaders, certain handguns/rifles) to only "firearm deer hunting seasons" instead of all seasons. To qualify, hunters must apply for a special "any sex" license, complete a form signed by a physician verifying their nonambulatory status, and note that the license expires after the first season they fill a tag. This bill directly affects Iowa residents who cannot walk and hunt deer with firearms during designated seasons.

Maddy summaryHF 678 requires Iowa counties to include dedicated funds for employee contracts (negotiated under Chapter 20) in their annual budgets. It mandates that any raises for these employees must be accounted for in the certified budget before taking effect, and such raises cannot begin until after the new fiscal year starts. This bill directly affects county governments as they prepare budgets, ensuring compensation changes align with budgeted timelines. The key change prevents counties from authorizing raises outside the formal budget process.

Maddy summaryHF 666 defines "elective abortion" as any act intending to terminate a pregnancy with knowledge it will likely cause the death of an unborn child, excluding emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and certain medical treatments like miscarriage care. It creates civil penalties for abortion providers, "abortion funds" that help pay for abortions, and anyone who "aids or abets" abortions, including civil lawsuits under federal RICO laws for abortion pill distribution. The bill explicitly excludes emergency contraception (like Plan B), medical treatments for ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage care from its restrictions. It applies to individuals and entities facilitating abortions, with penalties enforced through civil actions rather than criminal prosecution.

Maddy summaryHF 694 requires all public buildings, grounds, and government-owned vehicles in Iowa to display only specific flags: the U.S. flag, Iowa state flag, U.S. military flags, POW/MIA families' flag, local government flags (county/city), and two historical flags (Gadsden and Washington cruisers). It allows temporary, educational flag displays in public schools or museums related to curriculum (e.g., geography or cultural heritage), but prohibits permanent political displays. Violations carry a $10,000 daily civil penalty, with fines directed to a veterans trust fund, and repeated offenses may trigger withheld state funding. The bill directly affects government entities managing public spaces, not individual citizens.

Maddy summaryHF 133 creates a state-funded grant program to help local governments demolish vacant school buildings that stopped being used as schools before January 1, 2021. Grants prioritize small communities (populations under 2,500) and the 88 least populous counties, requiring applicants to align demolition plans with local economic or community development goals. Property sold after demolition must return profits (minus demolition costs) to the fund, and the program requires annual reports to lawmakers. The fund takes effect July 1, 2025, if appropriated funding is secured for the 2025 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHF 453 defines an "unborn child" as a human organism from fertilization to fetal death or live birth. It expands wrongful death damages (under Code 633.336) to include unborn children, applies homicide and assault criminal laws (via new sections 707.1A and 708.1A) to unborn children as legal victims, and ensures these cases receive the same legal protections as cases involving born individuals. The bill explicitly excludes life-saving medical procedures for the pregnant person and natural miscarriages from its application. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 3) is a symbolic statement by Iowa's House of Representatives affirming the state's support for Israel. It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals or entities; instead, it expresses solidarity through shared values, condemns antisemitism and terrorism, and encourages cultural and economic collaboration between Iowa and Israel. The resolution highlights Iowa's partnership with Israel's Western Galilee region, economic ties in agriculture and technology, and support for Israel's sovereignty following the October 7 attacks. It was adopted unanimously (76-10) on February 13, 2025, with no binding policy changes.

Maddy summaryHF 321 removes the requirement that Iowa magistrates must be licensed attorneys in the state. Instead, it directs county magistrate appointing commissions to prioritize applicants who are licensed attorneys when filling magistrate positions. This change effectively reverts to the qualification standard that was in place before 2009, when magistrates were not required to be attorneys but licensed attorneys received first consideration. The bill directly affects county commissions making magistrate appointments and potential applicants seeking magistrate roles.