Rep. Megan Jones

Maddy summaryHF 2071 increases Iowa's tax refund for biodiesel producers from 4 cents to 5 cents per gallon. The refund amount is calculated by multiplying this new rate by the total gallons of biodiesel produced quarterly within the state. The bill also extends the program's expiration date from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. This directly affects Iowa-based biodiesel producers by increasing their quarterly tax refund.

Maddy summaryHR 114 is a resolution that formally honors the 30 Iowans who died and the four Iowans who survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. The bill recognizes the service of these individuals and the ship, which delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian before being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. This measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to the men who served from Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 737 creates a competitive grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help schools develop cardiac emergency response plans. The bill requires participating schools to establish response teams, place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) within three minutes of cardiac emergencies, maintain AEDs, provide staff training in CPR and AED use, conduct annual drills, and share plan details with emergency services. It directly affects all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, applying to emergencies during school hours, physical education, and athletic activities starting in 2026. Grants cover costs for implementing these specific protocols but must supplement, not replace, existing school funding for similar purposes.

Maddy summaryHF 2209 requires Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to admit at least 80% of students who are Iowa residents or attended eligible Iowa colleges. It prioritizes applicants planning to work in Iowa rural communities (under 25,000 people) and specialize in mixed-animal veterinary care. Applicants must disclose their Iowa background and career intentions in their applications. The university must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing admission statistics and reasons for rejections.

Maddy summaryHF 2299 requires retail fuel dealers in Iowa to timely file reports of total gasoline and diesel gallonage sold during a specific period. This reporting is directly tied to eligibility for three tax credits: E-85 gasoline promotion (section 422.11O), biodiesel blended fuel (section 422.11P), and E-15 plus gasoline promotion (section 422.11Y). Retailers who fail to file the required report by their tax year end lose access to these credits for that year and all future years until the report is submitted. The bill also imposes a $100 civil penalty per missed filing, with penalties deposited into the state general fund. The reports are used to calculate excise taxes on higher-blend fuels like E-15 and B-20 biodiesel.

Maddy summaryHF 2113 allows Iowa teens under 18 whose special minor’s restricted driving license was suspended to obtain an instruction permit during their suspension period. This permit permits supervised driving (with a qualifying adult in the front seat) instead of being completely barred from driving, at a $6 fee. It directly affects minors who lost their restricted license due to violations, accidents, or traffic convictions. The change takes effect on or after March 1, 2027, or when Iowa’s new driver’s license system is implemented.

Maddy summaryHF 2079 requires public schools and athletic organizations to accept cash (legal tender) as the only payment method for entry fees to school sports events. It directly affects public schools and extracurricular athletic organizations that sponsor competitions. The bill mandates that schools must accept cash for entry, and organizations must agree to this as a condition of registering with the state education department. This policy change eliminates the use of alternative payment methods like credit cards or checks for these specific athletic event entries. The bill focuses solely on standardizing payment types for school sports participation.

Maddy summaryHF 2476 allows Iowans with nonapparent disabilities - such as autism spectrum disorder, mental disabilities, or developmental disabilities - to request a special mark on their driver’s license or nonoperator ID card. The mark would feature a butterfly design approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation or another method the department deems sufficient to indicate the disability. Individuals must apply when renewing or initially obtaining the license/ID and may need to provide medical proof. The department will note this status in its electronic database for law enforcement access and create educational materials about the option.

Maddy summaryHF 2135 limits court questioning (discovery depositions) of minor victims in criminal cases. It prohibits such questioning when the minor has already provided a recorded statement describing the alleged crime, obtained by a forensic interviewer at an accredited child advocacy or protection center following national protocols. The bill allows exceptions only if the court grants permission after a party demonstrates "exceptional circumstances." This directly affects minors who are victims in criminal cases and aims to reduce repeated trauma during legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHJR 2004 is a joint resolution from the Iowa General Assembly requesting Congress to call an Article V convention. It seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would limit federal government power and jurisdiction, impose fiscal restraints on federal spending, and restrict terms for members of Congress and federal officials. The resolution serves as a continuing application to Congress until two-thirds of states similarly apply or Iowa withdraws, and requires the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies to federal and state officials. This is a procedural request, not a law, and does not change current federal authority.