Rep. Josh Meggers

Maddy summaryHF 98 expands Iowa's existing traffic law requiring drivers to approach stationary emergency vehicles with caution to include slow-moving emergency vehicles (operating at 15 mph or less) displaying flashing lights. It applies the current rule - requiring drivers to change lanes if safe or reduce speed below the limit - to these slow-moving emergency vehicles during their official duties. The bill does not change existing rules for other slow-moving vehicles like construction or utility vehicles. Violating this section remains a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 fine, with higher penalties if the violation causes injury or death.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Iowa's definition of reckless driving to include speeding 21 miles per hour or more over the limit, lowering the current threshold of 25 MPH for felony charges when causing death or serious injury. It directly affects drivers who exceed speed limits by 21+ MPH, making such speeding automatically reckless driving (a misdemeanor) rather than a simple speeding violation. Key provisions set 21 MPH over as the new threshold for reckless driving, triggering enhanced penalties: causing death becomes a class C felony (up to 10 years in prison), while causing serious injury becomes a class D felony (up to 5 years). The bill updates existing penalties under Code sections 321.277 and 707.6A without altering the base misdemeanor fines for speeding.

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 100 creates special license plates for the USS Iowa (BB-61) battleship, allowing Iowa vehicle owners to apply for these plates by paying a $35 one-time fee (plus $25 for personalized plates) and $10 annual fee for standard plates or $5 for personalized plates. The bill requires the Iowa Department of Transportation to solicit public design submissions and hold an online vote to select the final plate design. All fees collected are deposited into the road use tax fund, with monthly transfers to the state general fund to be distributed as grants by the Department of Veterans Affairs for maintaining the USS Iowa. This directly affects Iowa residents who own registered vehicles and choose to purchase these commemorative plates.

Maddy summaryHF 71 prohibits local governments and state agencies from setting numerical targets for traffic stops or citations issued by peace officers. The bill explicitly bans requiring officers to stop a certain number of people for alleged traffic violations or issue a specific number of citations, memorandums, or warnings on any schedule (daily, weekly, etc.). This expands current law, which only addressed citation quotas, to also cover stop quotas regardless of whether a citation is issued. The policy change directly affects law enforcement agencies and officers in Iowa by preventing performance-based targets for traffic enforcement.

Maddy summaryHF 101 limits bond issuance for certain public projects in Iowa. For projects where voters approved bond sales after July 1, 2025, the bill restricts bond amounts to no more than 80% of the project’s total cost. The remaining 20% must be funded through non-bond sources, such as general tax revenue or other existing funds. This applies specifically to projects with bond propositions approved in elections held after the specified date, directly affecting local governments and school districts seeking to finance large capital projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Iowa law enforcement officers to complete training on eliminating "motorcyclist profiling" as part of their basic and in-service training. It defines motorcyclist profiling as targeting people solely because they ride motorcycles or wear related gear (without legal basis), and mandates local agencies to add policies condemning this practice. The law also requires annual reports to the legislature about training hours and content related to this topic. The bill directly affects all Iowa law enforcement officers and their agencies, focusing on changing training requirements and policies.

Maddy summaryHF 72 changes Iowa's penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. It makes possessing 10 grams or less of marijuana (not offered for sale) a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine, instead of potential felony charges under current law. The bill repeals an existing law that previously treated small amounts as intent to deliver. This directly affects individuals caught with minimal personal use quantities, not commercial activity.