Rep. Dean Fisher

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution that guarantees residents the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods. This right would be subject to "reasonable laws" by the legislature and "reasonable rules" by the natural resource commission, which must promote wildlife conservation, maintain public access to natural resources, and ensure future hunting/fishing opportunities. The amendment also specifies that public hunting and fishing should be a "preferred means" for managing wildlife populations. It explicitly states this change won't affect existing laws on property rights, trespass, or water resources.

Maddy summaryHF 280 prohibits the governor from closing, mandating, or regulating places of worship during disasters or public health emergencies, including under emergency proclamations. It directly affects religious congregations using buildings designated as active places of worship. The bill defines "place of worship" as a building where an active congregation gathers for worship. This law would prevent executive actions restricting religious gatherings during declared emergencies. The bill is currently in the Judiciary committee after being introduced on February 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 134 clarifies that bison and wild or semi-wild haired sheep kept or hunted on licensed Iowa hunting preserves are not considered "livestock" under state law. This bill amends two sections of Iowa code to exclude these animals from the legal definition of "livestock" and from laws prohibiting injury to livestock under customary husbandry practices. The change directly affects licensed hunting preserves by removing regulatory burdens related to livestock classification for these specific animals. The bill creates a clear legal distinction for hunting operations managing these species on their property.

Maddy summaryHF 35 requires Iowa postsecondary schools offering health care degree programs with clinical rotations to find placement sites where students can receive exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine requirements upon request. This directly affects clinical health care students seeking hands-on training. Schools that fail to comply lose eligibility to participate in Iowa's tuition grant program for residents, which provides financial aid to students at qualifying institutions. The bill defines "clinical rotation" as supervised training with healthcare professionals to complete a degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Iowa taxpayers to deduct up to $500 per student for the cost of required nonathletic school uniforms purchased for children attending public or private schools. It directly affects families with school-aged children who must buy uniforms for their children's schools. The deduction applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and includes retroactive application to that date. The provision does not cover athletic uniforms and is limited to the purchase amount, not other school expenses.