Rep. Josh Meggers

Maddy summaryHF 42 requires county attorneys in Iowa to review officer-involved shootings that result in death or serious bodily injury within 180 days. The county attorney must issue a written report detailing their findings, charging decision, or recommendation to convene a grand jury or refer the case to the attorney general. This report must be provided to the involved officer, their legal counsel, and their agency. If a conflict of interest exists, the review must be handled by an independent county attorney, the attorney general, or a special prosecutor instead of the regular county attorney. The bill applies specifically to cases involving law enforcement officers as defined in state law.

Maddy summaryHF 728 updates Iowa's vehicle code to standardize equipment requirements for emergency vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. It requires new lighting features (such as rear zone amber lights and master warning switches) and dual-tone sirens for vehicles purchased or refurbished after specific dates (July 1, 2021, or 2022). The bill applies directly to state and local governments, fire departments, EMS providers, and vehicle manufacturers. It removes redundant language like "official" before vehicle types but does not change driving privileges or emergency operation rules.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 9) honoring Ron Steele for his 50+ years in Iowa broadcast journalism. It commends his service, including covering major events like the Iran hostage return and interviewing presidents, and recognizes his induction into the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The resolution expresses the Iowa House's appreciation for his career but contains no policy changes or legal requirements - it is purely symbolic, with no direct effect on laws or constituents.

Maddy summaryHF 45 increases the base fine for speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit in specific areas like public parks, alleys, and state parks from $135 to $285. The bill adds $5 for every additional mile per hour over the 20-mph threshold. This directly affects drivers convicted of such speeding violations in designated locations. The change modifies existing misdemeanor penalties under Iowa law, raising the maximum fine amount for these offenses. The bill was recommended for passage by committees but was withdrawn in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 608 allows county hospitals in Iowa to establish and operate child care facilities for their employees. County hospital boards may run the facilities directly or contract with an existing licensed child care provider. All operations, maintenance, and improvements must follow the state’s existing child care regulations under Chapter 237A. The bill directly affects county hospitals seeking to provide on-site child care services.

Maddy summaryHF 73 requires all operators aged 12-17 to pass a written test and obtain an education certificate before operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-road motorcycles, or off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on public land, ice, or designated trails in Iowa. The certificate costs $5 and remains valid until revoked, replacing the previous option to demonstrate riding skills. Operators without a certificate face a $70 misdemeanor fine. This bill removes existing exemptions that previously allowed off-road motorcycles and UTVs to skip the education requirement, aligning their rules with ATVs. The certificate is not required during supervised training courses.

Maddy summaryHF 140 allows licensed alcohol manufacturers (not retailers) to ship alcohol directly to Iowa residents who are 21 or older, subject to specific limits. Manufacturers must obtain a new "alcoholic liquor direct shipper license," ship only to personal-use consumers (with quantity caps based on their production volume), and include required labeling. The bill also requires manufacturers to pay the state 50% of the wholesale price for shipped alcohol and register products with the department. This applies only to manufacturers who produce or import limited volumes of alcohol, and it does not permit retailers to ship directly to consumers.

Maddy summaryHF 221 limits school districts' bond issuances for capital projects approved after July 1, 2025, to 80% of the project's total cost. This means districts must cover the remaining 20% of project expenses through non-bond funding sources, such as existing reserves or other revenue streams. The bill directly affects school districts planning new construction or major improvements, requiring them to secure alternative funding for a portion of project costs rather than relying solely on bond sales. It applies specifically to projects where voter approval occurs after the specified date.

Maddy summaryHF 40 mandates a 30-day driver's license revocation for Iowa drivers convicted of exceeding 100 miles per hour. It specifically requires immediate license seizure by peace officers when a driver is cited for 100+ mph speeding, with a temporary 10-day license issued pending formal revocation. The bill prohibits temporary restricted licenses during this 30-day revocation period and applies to first-time offenses of this speed violation. This change expands mandatory revocation to include high-speed offenses beyond existing provisions for reckless driving or drag racing.

Maddy summaryHF 41 (withdrawn February 24, 2025) would have increased penalties for drivers convicted of traffic violations causing serious injury or death. Specifically, it added violations of Iowa Code § 321.288 (requiring reduced speed for pedestrians, animals, work zones, or hazardous conditions) to the list of offenses triggering additional penalties. If convicted of such a violation causing serious injury, drivers could face a $500 fine, up to 90 days license suspension, or both. For violations causing death, penalties would include a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days license suspension, or both. The bill was approved by committee but later withdrawn.