Rep. Aime Wichtendahl

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal for retailers in Iowa to charge customers a higher price at checkout than the price shown on shelves, displays, or other visible pricing at the time the customer selected the item. The law allows stores to offer lower prices at checkout but prohibits price increases after a customer has chosen a product. If a retailer violates this rule, they could face court orders to stop the practice, return collected money, and pay civil penalties of up to $40,000 for each violation. The legislation applies to all retail transactions where pricing is displayed before purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Iowa's education savings account program by expanding eligibility for nonpublic school students based on household income levels over a three-year period. Starting in 2027, families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for the program, with eligibility tightening to 300% of the poverty threshold by 2028. The legislation also adjusts how school districts calculate funding costs for various teacher and professional development supplements by including ESA payments in enrollment counts. The education savings account program is scheduled to be completely repealed on July 1, 2029, with related funding calculations taking effect in 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily prevents gas and electric public utilities in Iowa from raising customer rates or charges through December 31, 2030. It applies to all utilities providing gas or electric service, including smaller providers, electric cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities. The law prohibits any new or changed rates, automatic adjustments, or temporary rate increases that would result in higher bills for customers during this period. The Iowa Utilities Commission will oversee the regulation of this rate freeze for smaller utility providers. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHF 2223 creates a new residential property tax rebate program for Iowa homeowners, funded from the taxpayer relief fund, applicable to property taxes due in fiscal years 2026-2027. It modifies existing homestead tax credit rules to expand eligibility for elderly and disabled residents (ages 65+ with income under 250% of federal poverty level) and adds a new credit calculation method for homes where property value didn’t increase due to improvements. The bill also adjusts how homestead credits are calculated, covering up to $14,550 of a home’s value, and sets the effective date for most changes as July 1, 2027. These provisions directly affect Iowa homeowners, particularly seniors and low-income residents, by providing potential tax relief through modified credits and a new rebate.

Maddy summaryHF 2663 appropriates $2 million to fund a University of Iowa study on the underlying causes of cancer rates in Iowa, and $3 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants supporting clinical cancer research and improving access to cancer research trials for Iowa residents. The funds would cover research costs at the university and allow the health department to provide grants to public or private organizations running cancer research programs. This is a funding measure for research infrastructure, not a direct healthcare service or treatment program.

Maddy summaryHF 2665 requires new single-family and two-family residential construction (after adoption) to include passive radon mitigation systems in the building code. It creates a tax credit of up to $1,000 for homeowners and renters to cover the cost of installing radon mitigation systems, applying retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. For rental properties, tenants can test for radon (with results ≥4 picocuries per liter triggering landlord action), and landlords must install mitigation systems within 90 days or face lease termination with rent refunds. The bill also appropriates $100,000 for free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters through the state health department.

Maddy summaryHF 2612 requires public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools to adopt policies granting students in grades 6-12 at least one excused absence per school year for participating in specific civic or political events. The policy mandates students provide at least 24 hours' notice to school administrators before the event. Eligible events include voting, serving as a poll worker, attending government meetings, political rallies, forums, or town halls. Crucially, absences for these events will not count toward chronic absenteeism metrics or affect truancy enforcement. This bill directly affects school boards and students in grades 6-12 across Iowa's public and accredited nonpublic school systems.

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.