Rep. Jason Gearhart

Maddy summaryHF 241 requires all Iowa Utilities Commission members to be present during live testimony at hearings related to public utilities, pipelines, or electric transmission lines. If any member is unavailable during such a hearing, the meeting must pause until all members return. The bill also mandates that at least one commission member attend all informational meetings about pipeline permits, electric transmission lines, or hazardous liquid pipelines, pausing the meeting if no member is present. This applies to meetings held by pipeline companies or the commission itself, directly affecting commission operations and how companies conduct required public meetings.

Maddy summaryHF 242 creates a new court review process for property owners and applicants involved in Iowa Utilities Commission eminent domain cases. It allows individuals whose property is subject to eminent domain to petition Polk County district court for a declaratory judgment about legal rights and status before the commission makes a final decision, with a $10 filing fee paid to the court clerk (deposited into the state general fund). The bill prohibits bond requirements for appeals or injunctions related to these reviews and sets conditions for new actions after 18 months or changed circumstances, requiring a different county and judge to review the case anew without relying on prior decisions.

Maddy summaryHF 536 requires Iowa schools serving grades 6-8 (including public, charter, nonpublic, and innovation zone schools) to offer a state-developed program on firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and outdoor skills. The program must be taught by certified instructors under supervision, with parental consent required for student participation and opt-out options available. Schools must report student participation annually to the Department of Natural Resources, which will maintain a database of completions to streamline future hunting licenses. Implementation begins for the 2026 school year, with costs covered by existing state school funding.

Maddy summaryHF 535 requires Iowa's legislative council to hire an independent, nonpartisan reviewer (not tied to 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, rural/urban school challenges, international education models, and innovative approaches like technology use and alternative teaching models. The reviewer must provide updates to lawmakers, submit a final report with actionable recommendations by January 1, 2026, and present findings in a joint legislative session. This process directly affects Iowa's public education system, including students, schools, and educators, by establishing a structured framework for evaluating and potentially improving education policies and funding.

Maddy summaryHF 725 establishes a program to provide grants for EMT training to small rural police departments (serving ≤10,000 people) and volunteer fire departments (serving ≤10,000 people) in Iowa. It creates a state fund with up to $250,000 annually from 2025-2029 to cover training costs like tuition, equipment, and certification fees, requiring applicants to demonstrate need and commit to deploying trained personnel. Grantees must submit annual reports on personnel trained, response time improvements, and implementation challenges. The program, administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, ends July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Archie and Nancy Martin for their historical support of Black students at Iowa State University. It recognizes their role in addressing housing discrimination by hosting students at their Ames home (the Martin House, now a historic landmark) and advocating with university leadership. The resolution also references existing honors, including Martin Hall (named in 2004) and scholarships established in 2008 to support students of color. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the Martin family’s contributions to educational equity.

Maddy summaryHF 716 allows employees and elected officials of local governments (like counties, cities, school districts, and community colleges) who participate in Iowa’s public retirement system to enroll in the state’s health insurance plan. It requires their employers to apply for coverage, pay monthly premiums at the same rate as state employees (including any employee contributions), and cover administrative fees. Payments go to a new trust fund managed by the state, and employers can deduct employee contributions subject to collective bargaining agreements. The bill mandates annual reports tracking costs, enrollment, and financial impacts. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa that would impose term limits on state legislators and key statewide officials. It limits House representatives to six consecutive terms, senators to three consecutive terms, and governors, lieutenant governors, and statewide elected officers (like secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and attorney general) to three consecutive terms. The amendment also establishes a lifetime cap of 24 years across all these offices, with service before January 1, 2029, not counting toward this limit. This is a proposed constitutional change, not yet enacted, that would require voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHJR 6 is a resolution passed by Iowa's legislature requesting Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose fiscal limits on federal spending, reduce federal power over states, and restrict congressional and federal official terms. This is a procedural application - meaning it does not change laws itself but asks Congress to convene a convention to draft such amendments. Iowa's application remains active until two-thirds of states apply for a similar convention or Iowa withdraws it. The resolution specifically limits the convention's purpose to these three policy areas.

Maddy summaryHF 664 allows nursing home residents or their representatives (such as family members or legal guardians) to use electronic monitoring devices (like cameras) in their rooms, with strict consent requirements. Residents must provide written consent or have their representative consent if they lack capacity, and roommates in shared rooms must also consent in writing. If a roommate objects, the facility must try to move one resident to an available shared room (with the resident paying a private room rate if they choose a private space). The bill requires facilities to document consent and allows residents to withdraw consent or adjust monitoring conditions at any time.