Rep. Megan Jones

Maddy summaryHF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 57 allows Iowa breweries to ship beer directly to consumers within Iowa and to other states (if permitted there), subject to specific rules. It requires breweries to obtain a $25 "beer direct shipper permit," pay a $5.89 per barrel tax on shipped beer, and submit biannual sales reports. Shipments must be to individuals aged 21+ for personal use only (not resale), labeled clearly, and shipped via licensed carriers. The bill affects Iowa breweries seeking to sell directly to consumers, adding permit fees, tax obligations, and reporting requirements while clarifying that direct shipping does not require beverage container refunds.

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 79 requires vehicle owners in Iowa to present proof of a valid driver's license and current insurance coverage when renewing vehicle registration. This applies to most registered vehicles, directly affecting owners, lessees, or primary users who need to renew their registration. The bill mandates that county treasurers or the Department of Transportation must refuse renewal if these proofs are not provided, with limited exceptions for government-owned vehicles or certain dealers. The change updates existing registration rules by adding these two requirements to the renewal process.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Iowa's definition of "premises" for native distilleries to include separate locations not physically connected. It allows distilleries to operate sites across public roads, waterways, or rights-of-way, or use additional warehouses elsewhere, all requiring approval from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. This directly affects Iowa native distilleries seeking to operate multiple noncontiguous sites without contiguous land ownership. Current law requires all licensed areas to be physically connected within a single building or contiguous grounds.

Maddy summaryHF 145 expands Iowa's definition of "school employee" under criminal sexual exploitation laws to include staff, volunteers, and contracted service providers working in charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools. The bill specifically covers full-time, part-time, substitute employees, volunteers with supervisory authority over students, and contracted workers with similar oversight roles. This change ensures these individuals face the same penalties as public school employees - ranging from an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in jail, fines up to $8,540) to a class D felony (up to 5 years in jail, fines up to $10,245) - for engaging in prohibited sexual conduct with students. The bill directly affects all personnel in charter and nonpublic schools who have direct student supervision responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHF 128 allows Iowa beer manufacturers to ship beer directly to consumers within Iowa or to out-of-state customers (if permitted by that state), creating a new "beer direct shipper permit" requirement. It imposes a $5.89 per barrel tax on all direct shipments, requires manufacturers to file biannual sales reports electronically, and mandates specific shipping labels and age verification. The bill restricts shipments to personal consumption (no resale) and requires shipping via licensed carriers, while exempting out-of-state wholesale shipments. This directly affects beer manufacturers seeking to sell directly to consumers and the state's tax collection system for alcohol sales.

Maddy summaryHF 135 provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers at Iowa's regents institutions and community colleges for sanitation workers and their children. To qualify, a sanitation worker must have been employed for at least one year within the past five years by a county, city, township, or their contractor, with primary duties involving residential or commercial waste collection or transport. The waiver also covers the child of such a worker, though institutions may require documentation of the worker's employment. This policy directly affects eligible sanitation workers and their dependents seeking higher education in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 121 requires Iowa school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and area education agencies to develop and distribute resources enabling school staff to provide testing services. These resources help parents or guardians of enrolled students submit applications for home and community-based services waivers through the Department of Health and Human Services. The waivers are Medicaid programs that allow individuals to receive necessary care at home or in community settings instead of in institutional facilities. The bill specifically authorizes area education agencies to offer these testing services to eligible schools upon request.

Maddy summaryHF 77 sets requirements for who can practice surgical technology in Iowa health care facilities. It prohibits employment or practice unless individuals meet specific qualifications, such as completing an accredited training program, holding national certification, or having prior employment in Iowa before July 1, 2025. Starting July 1, 2026, practitioners must complete 15 hours of annual continuing education, with the licensing department setting related rules. The bill explicitly does not restrict licensed doctors, nurses, dentists, or optometrists from performing surgical tech duties within their existing professional scope.