Rep. Josh Meggers

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes the 150th anniversary of the University of Northern Iowa's establishment in 1876. It directly affects the university by having the House of Representatives present a copy of the resolution to its leadership as a commemorative gesture. The bill does not change any laws or policies but instead serves to celebrate the institution's history and contributions to Iowa's education and economy.

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 2561 prohibits "street takeovers" - events involving three or more motor vehicles operating in violation of traffic laws (like reckless driving or drag racing) or with spectators present. Participants face escalating penalties: a first offense includes a $500-$2,000 fine and driver’s license revocation, while third offenses carry up to $7,500 fines and five years in prison. Organizers face a class D felony charge (up to five years in prison), and spectators risk a $400 fine. Police must impound vehicles used in these events for 30 days, with unclaimed vehicles subject to abandonment laws.

Maddy summaryHF 2560 requires child protection workers in Iowa to electronically record all interviews during child abuse and family assessments using audio, body cameras, or other reasonable methods. Recordings must be kept for five years and can only be shared with investigators, the child's caregiver in legal cases (with court permission), or the child's guardian (with court permission). The bill directly affects child protection workers, children in abuse assessments, and their parents or guardians by standardizing recording procedures and limiting who can access recordings. It implements federal GRACIE Act requirements and specifies penalties for unauthorized sharing while ensuring recordings don’t block evidence admission in court.

Maddy summaryHF 2194 amends Iowa's law enforcement academy council membership rules. It requires one council member to be a state resident without law enforcement experience (replacing two previous resident positions), adjusts city population thresholds for police officer members (from 50,000+ to 25,000+ for larger cities, and from 50,000- to 5,000- for smaller cities), and adds two new categories: a member of the Iowa Fraternal Order of Police and a police officer from a regents institution. The bill also limits council members to two consecutive terms. These changes directly affect who serves on the council, which oversees Iowa's law enforcement training standards.

Maddy summaryHF 2566 requires cities in Iowa that provide fire protection or emergency medical services to other cities or townships under contract to establish a dedicated "fire protection and emergency medical services fund." All money received from those contracts must be deposited into this fund. The fund can only be used to pay for the fire and emergency medical services provided to the other cities or township areas outside the contracting city's limits. Any leftover money in the fund at year-end stays in the fund for future service costs.

Maddy summaryHF 2023 lowers the speed limit in school districts from 25 to 20 miles per hour and increases penalties for speeding over 20 mph above the limit. The bill raises the base fine for such speeding from $135 to $285, plus $5 for each additional mile per hour over the limit. It also allows counties or cities to temporarily update speed limit signs using approved overlays or stickers while replacing physical signs according to their schedules. This affects drivers in school zones, local governments responsible for signage, and law enforcement enforcing traffic laws. The changes apply to school districts defined as areas within 200 feet of a schoolhouse.

Maddy summaryHF 2077 modifies Iowa's education funding rules to allow school districts to use money from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund for increased insurance costs associated with employing individuals who hold professional permits to carry weapons under state law. The bill expands the definition of "school infrastructure" under the SAVE fund to specifically include these higher insurance premiums. This change directly affects school districts that hire permit holders for security roles, providing funding flexibility for related insurance expenses. The policy change is purely procedural, clarifying eligible uses of existing SAVE fund resources without altering the fund's overall purpose or creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHF 2387 changes early retirement rules for Iowa peace officers in the retirement system. It raises the required service years from 22 to 25 for early retirement eligibility (ages 50-54), and replaces the board’s discretionary calculation with fixed benefit percentages: 84% for 25-31 years of service, 88% for 32-33 years, and 90% for 34+ years. The bill also adds a 1.5% annual pension adjustment on July 1 for early retirees. These changes directly affect peace officers qualifying for early retirement under the system.

Maddy summaryHF 2058 requires Iowa's Supreme Court to revise criminal procedure rules so that subpoenas for law enforcement officers to testify must include specific details: arrest time/date, citation number, case number, defendant's name, charges, and trial location/time. It also mandates that officers receive at least 30 days' notice before trial. This directly affects law enforcement officers who receive such subpoenas by providing clearer information and more preparation time. The revised rules must be submitted for review by October 14, 2026. The bill focuses on procedural transparency in criminal court proceedings.