Rep. Aime Wichtendahl

Maddy summaryHF 2204 regulates chatbot developers and companies (called "deployers") that make AI chatbots publicly available. It requires deployers to implement safety protocols to detect and mitigate harm, limit user data collection to what's necessary, and verify users' ages to prevent minors from accessing certain chatbots. Specifically, it bans AI companions that simulate emotional bonds from being used by minors without age verification, prohibits impersonating people without permission (with limited exceptions), and sets strict rules for therapeutic chatbots (like mental health tools) to include disclaimers, professional recommendations, and safety testing. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $2,500 per incident or allow minors to sue for damages. The law does not apply to generic chatbots offering only basic responses without creating emotional connections.

Maddy summaryHF 2150 requires AI-generated content advocating for or against election candidates or ballot issues to clearly disclose it was created using artificial intelligence (e.g., "this material was generated using AI"). It prohibits AI from creating fake endorsements of candidates or ballot measures and bans using AI to depict candidates engaging in unlikely behavior, staging non-existent events, or manipulating depictions of major events to influence elections or public opinion. The bill also restricts sharing third-party AI content without making a good-faith effort to remove it and disclose its AI origin. Violations can result in fines up to $50,000 for political committees or $5,000 for candidates/public officials, with penalties deposited into the state general fund.

Maddy summaryHF 2156 modifies Iowa's unemployment insurance rules for educational staff employed between academic terms. It removes the current provision that allowed workers to receive retroactive benefits if they had "reasonable assurance" of returning to the same role but were not rehired. Under this bill, individuals performing services for an educational institution before a vacation or holiday break are ineligible for unemployment benefits during that break, even if they had assurance of continued work afterward. This change directly affects non-instructional, non-research, and non-principal administrative staff at schools who might otherwise qualify for benefits during academic transitions. The bill does not create new funding requirements, as school districts will cover costs using existing state foundation aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $5 million from Iowa's general fund to the Department of Education for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to establish a therapeutic classroom incentive grant program. It directly provides funding to school districts to create therapeutic classrooms for students aged 3 to 21 whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with their success in regular school settings. The program enables school districts to receive grants to set up specialized classrooms designed to support these students' learning and development. The funding is specifically designated for this purpose and cannot be used for other educational programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2152 repeals Iowa's school tuition organization (STO) tax credit program, which allowed taxpayers to reduce their individual or corporate income tax by 75% of donations to private schools. Starting July 1, 2026, new contributions to STOs will no longer qualify for this credit, and the annual credit limit for 2026 is reduced to $10 million (down from $20 million). The program is fully repealed effective July 1, 2032, ending all future use of the credit. This directly affects Iowa taxpayers and businesses that previously claimed this credit against their state income tax bills.

Maddy summaryHF 2153 requires Iowa community colleges, school districts, and state-controlled higher education institutions to adopt AI usage policies by July 1, 2028. These policies must specify when students and staff may use artificial intelligence during classwork and job duties, include prohibitions on certain uses, and define AI as any machine system generating outputs like content or decisions. Institutions must publish their policies online and submit copies to the state education department or board of regents. The bill applies directly to all students, faculty, and staff at these educational institutions across Iowa.

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 summaryThis resolution formally recognizes and commends the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 50th anniversary. It highlights NCSL's role as a bipartisan organization supporting state legislatures through research, idea-sharing, and fostering cooperation. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses congressional appreciation and directs the House Chief Clerk to send a copy to NCSL.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 14) calls on the President and Congress to support the Adoptee Citizenship Act, which would grant U.S. citizenship to children legally adopted from abroad who were 18 or older when the 2000 Child Citizenship Act took effect. It directly affects adoptees who were excluded from automatic citizenship under the 2000 law, despite being raised in the U.S. by American citizens. The resolution urges action to prevent deportation and address barriers these individuals face, such as difficulties obtaining passports, banking services, or education benefits. It does not create new law but advocates for congressional support of the pending Adoptee Citizenship Act.

Maddy summaryHF 614 requires Iowa's state transportation commission to prioritize improvements to U.S. Highway 30 across the state, specifically from the Missouri River near Missouri Valley to the Mississippi River near Clinton. The bill mandates that the commission include in its long-range transportation plan a strategy to expand all two-lane sections of this highway segment to four-lane divided roadways until the entire route meets that standard. This policy change directly affects Iowa's transportation planning process and the communities along U.S. Highway 30. The bill does not create new funding but directs the commission to prioritize this specific highway in its existing planning framework.