Rep. Jason Gearhart

Maddy summaryHF 2069 establishes an annual 1% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for monthly retirement allowances paid to Iowa public employees retiring on or after July 1, 2026, including their beneficiaries and contingent annuitants. The adjustment applies each July 1, increasing the current allowance by 1% of its prior amount, but only for those who were at least 55 years old when they retired. Retirees receiving this COLA will no longer qualify for retirement dividends under section 97B.49F of the Iowa Code. This bill directly affects current and future retirees in Iowa’s public employees’ retirement system, modifying their ongoing benefit calculations.

Maddy summaryHF 2054 amends Iowa law to allow 15-year-olds to provide unsupervised child care at licensed facilities under specific conditions, instead of requiring providers to be at least 18 years old. It directly affects minors aged 15-17 who complete department-approved training in safe sleep, first aid, and child abuse reporting, plus document 10+ hours of supervised childcare experience. The bill requires facilities to follow these new age rules while maintaining all other existing health and safety standards for child care operations. This change creates a pathway for older minors to work in childcare roles without direct adult supervision, subject to strict training and experience requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2048 requires companies processing personal data for 5,000+ Iowa residents annually to obtain clear consent before using data, disclose how data will be used (including for automated decisions), and limit collection to what’s necessary. It grants Iowa residents the right to access, correct, delete their data, and revoke consent at any time. Companies must implement security measures to protect data and face civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation for breaches or noncompliance. The bill applies to commercial data processing but exempts law enforcement, de-identified data, and public information.

Maddy summaryHF 2010, the "Iowa Pharmaceutical Advertising Transparency and Consumer Protection Act," requires pharmaceutical companies and government entities to disclose key information in television advertisements for prescription drugs and vaccines starting January 1, 2027. Specifically, ads must clearly state the highest cost (either a 30-day supply or full treatment) and list all common and serious side effects in plain language with equal visual and auditory emphasis. Pharmaceutical companies must also wait 12 months after FDA approval before advertising. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation (with daily violations counting separately), enforced by the Attorney General and paid into a consumer protection fund. This bill directly affects drug manufacturers and government health campaigns advertising in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHJR 2001 proposes a constitutional amendment limiting Iowa legislators to sponsoring no more than 10 bills as lead sponsor per legislative session. It does not restrict additional sponsorships or apply to resolutions, appropriations bills, Iowa Code editor bills, or emergency legislation certified by specific committees. The amendment would require the next general assembly to adopt it before submitting to voters for ratification. This change directly affects Iowa state legislators' ability to introduce new bills as primary sponsors during a single session.

Maddy summaryHF 2001 requires new data centers (permit applications on or after January 1, 2026) and existing data centers expanding or renovating after that date to use cooling technologies that limit water consumption to a maximum of 0.2 liters per kilowatt-hour of energy used. It mandates data centers to submit water usage plans before construction and provide annual compliance reports for five years, while encouraging the use of nonpotable or recycled water sources like treated wastewater or stormwater for cooling. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per day, corrective action orders, or permit suspension. The bill directly affects data centers consuming at least one megawatt of electricity annually, aiming to reduce strain on Iowa’s freshwater resources.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would change Iowa House of Representatives terms from two to four years, requiring half the members to be elected every two years instead of all members at once. Current members would be split into two classes based on district numbers: those in odd-numbered districts would serve two years after adoption, while those in even-numbered districts would serve four years. The amendment must be approved by the legislature and voters before taking effect, and it modifies how districts are redrawn following the census. It aims to create more stable representation by reducing the frequency of full elections.

Maddy summaryHF 2002 requires Iowa's legislative council to hire an independent, nonpartisan reviewer (not affiliated with political parties or school districts) to conduct a comprehensive review of the state's K-12 public education system. The review must examine 30 years of trends, funding sources, school district structures, rural/urban challenges, and international education models, then propose actionable reforms for equitable funding, operational efficiency, and improved student outcomes. The reviewer must provide periodic updates and submit a final report with short- and long-term strategies, including costs and funding sources, to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects all Iowa public schools, teachers, and students by mandating a detailed, evidence-based analysis to inform future education policy decisions. The report will be presented to the legislature and discussed in public forums to gather feedback before implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 2007 creates a program providing state grants to small rural police departments (serving ≤10,000 people) and volunteer fire departments to cover costs for emergency medical technician (EMT) training for their personnel. Departments must demonstrate a need for EMT services in their area and commit to deploying trained staff, with grants covering tuition, equipment, and certification fees. The state appropriates up to $100,000 annually (2026-2030) from the general fund to fund these grants, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees must submit annual reports on personnel trained and program impact, with a final evaluation due to the legislature by December 2029. The program expires on July 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryHF 2006 allows employees and elected officials working for local governments (like counties, cities, school districts, or community colleges) who participate in the Iowa public employees’ retirement system to join the state’s health insurance program. These nonstate public employees would pay the same premiums as state employees, with their employers able to require workers to contribute a portion of costs (subject to union contracts). Employers must pay monthly premiums and administrative fees into a new trust fund, and failure to pay could trigger interest charges or withholding of state funds. The bill requires annual reporting to the legislature on enrollment, costs, and program impacts, effective July 1, 2027.