Rep. Timi Brown-Powers

Maddy summaryHF 2632 lowers the vote threshold for school district bond approvals from 60% to a simple majority (over 50%). This change applies specifically to school districts, while counties, cities, and other local governments must still secure 60% approval for bond measures. The bill amends Iowa Code sections 75.1 and 296.6 to reflect this distinction. All bond elections must still occur on the date specified in section 39.2, subsection 4, paragraph "d".

Maddy summaryHF 2455 repeals Iowa's existing law that prohibited abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected through medical testing. This bill removes the legal restriction on physicians performing abortions following the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The repeal would directly affect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Iowa by eliminating this specific prohibition.

Maddy summaryHF 2423 would change Iowa law to allow courts to grant grandparent or great-grandparent visitation rights when a parent is deceased, without requiring proof that the surviving parent is unfit or that parental judgment is impaired. It maintains existing requirements that the grandparent had a substantial pre-existing relationship with the child and that visitation serves the child's best interests. The bill directly affects grandparents or great-grandparents seeking court-ordered visitation with a grandchild after a parent's death. This simplifies the legal standard for courts deciding such cases by removing a specific barrier under current law.

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill creates a legal framework for "transfer on death deeds," allowing property owners to automatically transfer real estate (like homes or land) to chosen beneficiaries upon their death without probate. Property owners can name beneficiaries, record the deed before death, and revoke it anytime during their lifetime - no beneficiary acceptance or payment is required. The transfer takes effect only if the beneficiary survives the owner, and the property remains subject to existing mortgages or liens at the time of death. It directly affects Iowa property owners seeking to simplify inheritance for their heirs.

Maddy summaryHF 2421 ensures uninterrupted SNAP benefits for Iowa households if federal funding for the program stops due to a government shutdown. It requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use leftover state general fund money - unspent or uncommitted for that fiscal year - to continue providing full SNAP benefits at the same level as federal funding would have covered. This mechanism keeps eligible households receiving assistance until federal funds are restored, with HHS developing implementing rules. The bill directly affects Iowa SNAP recipients and prevents benefit disruptions during federal funding gaps.

Maddy summaryHF 2394 creates a state-funded matching program for private donations to Iowa's nonprofit food banks. It appropriates $1 million annually (starting July 1, 2026) from the general fund to match the total private donations reported by qualifying food banks for tax purposes in the prior fiscal year. The Department of Health and Human Services manages the fund and distributes these matching dollars annually to nonprofit food banks that meet federal tax-exempt criteria (501(c)(3)). Unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year, and any interest earned stays in the fund.

Maddy summaryHF 263 requires all physically able students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Iowa public and accredited nonpublic schools to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, separate from required physical education classes. Schools must ensure this activity occurs unless a student is suspended, expelled, absent (including due to illness), or circumstances like inclement weather or early dismissal prevent it. The bill explicitly prohibits using physical education class to fulfill this 30-minute daily activity requirement. It applies directly to K-5 students and school staff responsible for implementing the activity schedule.

Maddy summaryHF 2364 requires Iowa legislators' salaries to be suspended if the state fails to enact specific budget funding levels (state percent of growth and categorical state percent of growth) within 30 days of the governor's budget transmission. This applies directly to Iowa legislators during the regular legislative session. If the required budget provisions aren't passed by the deadline, salaries are suspended starting on day 31 and remain suspended until the funding levels are enacted. Any withheld salary is forfeited and not paid retroactively upon later enactment of the budget provisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2373 proposes a state-run retirement savings program for Iowa workers. It requires employers with five or more employees to automatically enroll eligible workers (aged 18+ working 120+ days annually) in a trust managed by the Iowa Treasurer, with a default contribution rate set by the Treasurer. Participants can opt out, adjust contribution levels, or choose from low-risk investment options, including a target date fund as the default. Employers must provide annual enrollment periods and educational materials about the program. The bill is currently in committee and aims to expand retirement savings access for Iowa workers through employer-based enrollment.

Maddy summaryHF 2318 amends Iowa's unemployment benefits law to allow workers participating in strikes or labor disputes to receive benefits starting on the 15th day of the work stoppage. It removes the current disqualification for strikers and exempts them from the standard requirement to actively seek other employment during the strike. This applies to workers at the workplace where they were last employed, such as a factory or establishment. The bill does not change other eligibility criteria, like being able to work and available for work, but specifically waives disqualification and work search rules for strike participants after 14 days.