Rep. Jason Gearhart

Maddy summaryHF 2225 creates a tax credit for Iowa residents who paid nonresident tuition at state universities and later work in the state as health care professionals, teachers, licensed veterinarians, or professional engineers. The credit equals 100% of the difference between the nonresident and resident tuition rates they paid during their studies, available within three years of graduation while employed in Iowa. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future income tax, but it is not refundable and does not apply to nonresidents. The bill requires the Board of Regents to publish historical tuition rates online and applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a lifetime ginseng harvesting permit for Iowa disabled veterans. It allows eligible veterans - defined as honorably discharged veterans with any service-connected disability rating (0% or higher) - to pay a one-time $7 fee for a permit valid for life, replacing annual permits. The permit authorizes ginseng harvesting under existing season, quantity, and reporting rules set by the Department of Natural Resources. All fees collected will fund the state fish and game protection program.

Maddy summaryHF 2195 requires Iowa county election commissioners to label every ballot cast in primary and general elections with the specific method used to vote. The label must distinguish between in-person voting on election day, in-person voting before election day, and mail voting - separating standard mail ballots from those cast by military personnel or overseas citizens under federal law. This policy change aims to provide transparency about voting methods by mandating standardized ballot labeling across all counties. The state election commissioner will develop implementing rules under Chapter 17A of Iowa law. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the State Government committee on January 29, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 2164 requires voters registering to vote on election day or casting an in-person absentee ballot to cast a provisional ballot instead of a regular ballot if their eligibility cannot be verified immediately. The absentee and special voters precinct board must later verify the voter's eligibility - specifically checking if they have a felony conviction without restored voting rights - before counting the ballot. This changes current law, which allowed some voters to cast regular ballots if electronic verification was possible at the polling place. The bill directly affects voters registering or voting in person on election day who cannot prove eligibility through electronic means.

Maddy summaryHF 2166 requires Iowa's state commissioner of elections to create a record of all voter registration data for every voter who cast a ballot in each election, organized by county, within 60 days after the election. This record must be retained for eight years and made available electronically at no cost to the public upon request (with physical storage options for very large files). The bill directly affects voters whose data is included in the record and the public seeking access to election-related voter registration information. It establishes a new procedural requirement for preserving and providing access to historical voter registration data.

Maddy summaryHF 2165 modifies Iowa's absentee voting process to standardize ballot handling and return procedures. It requires absentee ballots to be mailed in a specific envelope system (including affidavit, delivery, and return envelopes with matching serial numbers) and sets a strict deadline: ballots must be received by the county commissioner's office by 5:00 p.m. the day before election day, either via mail (postmarked by that date) or delivered in person. This directly affects Iowa voters who request absentee ballots, changing how they must package, sign, and return their ballots. The bill clarifies verification steps and adds a secrecy envelope requirement if ballots cannot be folded to hide votes.

Maddy summaryHF 2146 clarifies that Iowa public employees (state, county, or municipal workers) taking leave for military service (including National Guard, federal duty, or Civil Air Patrol) count each workday as one day toward their 30-day paid leave limit, regardless of the number of hours worked that day. This applies whether the military duty occurs within a single workday or spans multiple calendar days. The bill standardizes how leave days are counted under existing law, ensuring employees aren't penalized for partial workday overlaps. It specifically addresses the calculation method for the 30-day paid leave entitlement already provided by statute.

Maddy summaryHF 2011 imposes new taxes on alternative nicotine products (like nicotine pouches or gums) and vapor products (including e-cigarettes and vaping devices), with the revenue funding the new Iowa Cancer Research Fund. The bill directly affects businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell these products by requiring them to pay additional taxes. The tax revenue will be deposited into a separate fund managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which cannot be used for general state expenses. Funds from this account will only support cancer research in Iowa starting July 1, 2027, and must be distributed through a formal application process developed by the department.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 13, 2025, enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria. It recognizes their service, sacrifice, and posthumous promotions to staff sergeant, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa National Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' respect for their lives and sacrifice, and directs copies to be sent to their families as a gesture of recognition. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy or funding changes, solely intended to honor the fallen service members and their families.

Maddy summaryHF 2087 prohibits Iowa governors from issuing disaster emergency proclamations that unduly interfere with religious institutions or religious practices. It directly affects how the governor may regulate activities during declared emergencies, specifically banning restrictions on in-person religious gatherings or practices. Key provisions amend emergency powers (Section 29C.6) to explicitly forbid measures that infringe on constitutionally protected religious rights, restrict freedom of association, or require disease monitoring that violates privacy. The bill also limits emergency orders regarding medical exams and vaccinations by requiring individual consent and prohibiting undue pressure. These changes apply to all state disaster and public health emergencies.