Rep. Megan Jones

Maddy summaryHF 141 imposes a sales tax on items containing traceable amounts of kava (piper methysticum), such as kava root products sold as beverages or supplements. The bill directly affects businesses selling these kava-containing items by requiring them to collect and remit the sales tax on the full sales price. Key provisions amend Iowa's tax code to explicitly define "piper methysticum" and exclude kava from the list of non-taxable food items. This creates a new tax category for kava products, separate from other dietary supplements or food.

Maddy summaryHF 459 prevents Iowa's Department of Revenue from removing a native distillery's spirits from the state's approved list solely due to low sales after the spirits have been initially listed. It directly affects native distilleries (local businesses producing distilled spirits) and the Department of Revenue, which acts as the sole wholesaler. The bill amends existing law to ensure that once the Department lists a native distillery's spirits for sale to Class "E" licensees (businesses selling alcohol for off-premises consumption), sales performance cannot be used as a reason to delist them. This change provides stability for small, local distilleries by protecting their product listings from removal based on market demand fluctuations. The bill does not alter how spirits are sold or the Department's broader regulatory authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 750) expands leave rights for Iowa state and local government employees who serve in the military. It ensures these employees receive a leave of absence - including travel time to and from military duty - without losing pay, status, or performance ratings during their first 30 days of active duty. The bill also allows leave for inactive duty training hours and clarifies that for workdays spanning 24 hours, only one day of leave is required. It applies to members of the National Guard, military reserves, Civil Air Patrol, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Maddy summaryHF 752 amends Iowa law to change salary rules for county officers. It removes the requirement that county attorney salaries (in counties under 200,000 population) must be 45-100% of a district court judge’s salary. Instead, it sets new limits: deputy salaries (like sheriff’s deputies or auditor/treasurer deputies) cannot exceed 85% of their principal officer’s salary, and assistant county attorneys’ salaries cannot exceed 85% of a full-time county attorney’s salary. The bill also gives county boards more flexibility to adjust individual salary increases for elected officers without reducing others’ increases, provided justification is given.

Maddy summaryHF 749 creates an early retirement option for municipal firefighters and police officers in Iowa who have completed at least 22 years of service. It allows eligible members aged 50 to 54 to retire early and receive a reduced retirement payment, rather than waiting until age 55. The reduction percentage is determined annually by the retirement system's board of trustees based on actuarial calculations to ensure the change doesn't increase system costs. This provision takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies specifically to the municipal fire and police retirement system.

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 552 modifies Iowa's compulsory education laws to address chronic absenteeism. It requires public school districts to create policies defining chronic absenteeism (missing 15% or more of school days) and mandating school engagement meetings when students reach this threshold. These meetings involve parents/guardians and schools to develop absenteeism prevention plans, with parents facing penalties for non-attendance - ranging from $100 fines for a first offense to $1,000 for third offenses, or community service - unless they prove reasonable efforts were made. The bill excludes students with individualized education programs (IEPs) affecting attendance from these provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 438 establishes Iowa's process for appointing delegates to a potential Article V constitutional convention if Congress calls one. It requires the Iowa legislature to hold a special session (if not already in session) to appoint five commissioners to represent the state at such a convention. The bill specifies that commissioners must only support amendments related to the topic for which the convention was called (as defined by two-thirds of states), and outlines procedures for filling vacancies. This bill directly affects Iowa's legislative body and future delegates, preparing the state to comply with Article V requirements if a convention is convened. It is procedural, focusing on Iowa's internal appointment process rather than constitutional amendment content.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 is a resolution passed by Iowa's legislature requesting Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose fiscal limits on federal spending, reduce federal power over states, and restrict congressional and federal official terms. This is a procedural application - meaning it does not change laws itself but asks Congress to convene a convention to draft such amendments. Iowa's application remains active until two-thirds of states apply for a similar convention or Iowa withdraws it. The resolution specifically limits the convention's purpose to these three policy areas.

Maddy summaryHF 506 standardizes penalties for drivers operating vehicles while their license or operating privileges are restricted (denied, canceled, suspended, revoked, or barred). It sets a fixed $250 fine for a first offense across all license restriction scenarios, replacing the previous $250-$1,500 range. Subsequent offenses are tiered: a second offense becomes a simple misdemeanor, and third or later offenses become serious misdemeanors. The bill also removes the current prohibition on suspending sentences for these violations. This affects anyone driving with an active license restriction under Iowa’s motor vehicle laws.