Rep. Lindsay James

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill (HF 2378) sets a phased increase to the state minimum wage: $10.00 per hour starting July 1, 2026; $12.50 on July 1, 2027; and $15.00 on July 1, 2028. It also establishes a lower minimum wage of $9.10, $11.60, and $14.10 for employees in their first 90 days of work, effective on the same dates. Beginning July 1, 2029, the wage will automatically rise each year by the same percentage as the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, with no decreases allowed. The bill removes a tip credit for certain workers and allows counties or cities to set higher local minimum wages than the state rate.

Maddy summaryHF 2384 increases Iowa's maximum unemployment benefits for eligible workers. It raises the cap from 16 to 26 times a worker's weekly benefit amount during a benefit year. For workers laid off due to an employer's business closure, it increases the cap from 26 to 39 times the weekly benefit amount. This change directly affects unemployed Iowans who qualify for benefits, ensuring they receive more total support under these specific circumstances. The bill modifies how benefit limits are calculated based on prior earnings.

Maddy summaryHF 2380 establishes a community-based wage enforcement program in Iowa to strengthen enforcement of state wage payment and minimum wage laws. The bill requires the director of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to contract with qualified community-based organizations (nonprofits with five years of employee advocacy experience) to provide free services directly to workers. Key services include employee education about wage rights, direct advocacy for filing complaints, legal assistance, and tailored support for marginalized communities or non-English speakers. All program activities must be accessible to any Iowa employee at no cost, aiming to improve resolution of wage disputes under state law.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee Iowa workers the right to form unions, negotiate wages and working conditions through their chosen representatives, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits state laws that interfere with collective bargaining or require union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment would directly affect all Iowa workers and employers, adding these protections to the state constitution. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would become part of Iowa's fundamental law.

Maddy summaryHF 2385 prohibits employers in Iowa from willfully misclassifying workers as independent contractors instead of employees, which would deny them benefits like unemployment insurance. It uses current federal IRS guidelines to determine worker classification and applies to misclassifications occurring after the bill's effective date. Employers violating this law face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per misclassified worker for repeat offenses, plus a Class D felony charge (up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,245). The Iowa Department of Workforce Development enforces the law, collects penalties for the general fund, and refers violations to county attorneys.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments, to register their agricultural land holdings in Iowa with the Secretary of State, with specific information about the land and owners to be filed. The key mechanism establishes that this registration data and related reports will remain confidential records, accessible only to the attorney general for law enforcement purposes and to state government officials for oversight. The legislation mandates an annual summary report of foreign landholdings to be provided to the governor and General Assembly, while maintaining restrictions on public access to these details. The bill applies to land interests acquired on or after January 1, 1980, and requires registration within 60 days of acquisition or the specified date.

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 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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Iowa's education savings account program eligibility. For the 2025 school year (starting July 1, 2025), it maintains current rules allowing nonpublic school students (K-12) to receive payments. Starting July 1, 2026, it adds an income requirement: households must earn 400% or less of the U.S. federal poverty income guidelines to qualify. The change directly affects families with children attending nonpublic schools who seek these state-funded education savings accounts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.