Rep. Jerome Amos

Maddy summaryHF 2613 requires accredited nonpublic schools accepting education savings account funds to annually report to Iowa's Department of Education the total amount received, detailed expenditures (including salaries and infrastructure), and publish a budget identifying these funds' intended use. It also mandates parents/guardians who decline participation or withdraw students to report their reasons to the Department. The Department must compile this data and submit an annual report to the Iowa General Assembly by September 1, including total funds distributed, school receipts, expenditure details, and participation withdrawal reasons. This bill directly affects nonpublic schools, families using savings accounts, and the Department of Education through new transparency requirements. The policy focuses on tracking fund usage and program participation without altering eligibility or funding levels.

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 summaryThis resolution (HR 106) urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would change current rules affecting medically retired veterans. It directly impacts approximately 50,000 service members who retired before completing 20 years of service due to medical conditions and have a disability rating below 50% - they currently lose $1 of retirement pay for every $1 of disability pay received. The resolution does not change the law itself but calls for Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would eliminate this offset and allow these veterans to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits. It is a symbolic action, not a policy change, referencing the case of Major Richard Star, an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran who died of burn pit-related lung cancer.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 105) urges Congress to support the Major Richard Star Act, which would remove a rule affecting medically retired veterans. Specifically, it targets veterans with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating under 50%, who currently lose $1 in retirement pay for every $1 in disability benefits they receive. The resolution does not change law itself but calls for Congress to back legislation that would allow these veterans - estimated at 50,000 - to receive full retirement pay and VA disability benefits simultaneously. The bill text notes this rule costs veterans an average of $1,900 monthly in reduced benefits.

Maddy summaryHF 2264 sets a minimum hourly wage of $15.20 for home health aides working under Iowa's Medicaid program, effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health agencies to ensure this minimum wage is met. It also appropriates state general funds to cover the cost of these higher reimbursements for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This directly affects home health aides providing Medicaid-covered services and home and community-based waiver services in Iowa.