Rep. Aime Wichtendahl

Maddy summaryHF 444 creates a new "recreational property" classification for golf courses operated as commercial businesses. Starting with the 2026 assessment year, these properties would be assessed at 75% of their actual value for tax purposes, rather than the standard rate applied to other property types. This would reduce property taxes for qualifying golf courses. The bill specifically defines "recreational property" as commercial golf courses subject to taxation.

Maddy summaryHF 431 removes all time limits for victims to file civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation of minors in Iowa. It applies directly to victims of these specific harms, including cases involving counselors, school staff, or others in positions of trust. The bill revives previously dismissed cases where the time limit had expired, allowing victims to file new lawsuits even if they were previously barred. This change takes effect immediately upon enactment, eliminating prior deadlines like the five-year window for school-related abuse claims.

Maddy summaryHF 368 updates Iowa's water quality laws to regulate large livestock operations. It specifically requires medium and large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) - like major dairy or hog farms - to obtain federal-style NPDES permits for managing manure and wastewater. The bill establishes state rules for manure storage, treatment, and facility inspections, aligning with federal Clean Water Act standards. These permits aim to prevent pollution from runoff into rivers and streams, directly affecting agricultural operations that meet the CAFO size definitions.

Maddy summaryHF 412 modifies Iowa's child care assistance program to better support unhoused parents. It defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing) and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the 30-day employment-based eligibility limit for parents of children under six years old who are unhoused. The bill also exempts unhoused children from program waiting lists and mandates an expedited process for approving assistance and extensions for unhoused applicants. These changes directly affect low-income parents experiencing housing instability who are seeking work.

Maddy summaryHF 411 exempts families determined by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to be "unhoused" from making copayments for the state child care assistance program (CCA). The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or temporary settings. Unhoused families are not required to pay copayments as a condition of CCA program participation, and this exemption lasts for six months after HHS determines the family is no longer unhoused. This change directly affects low-income families experiencing housing instability who rely on state child care assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 376 sets specific limits on campaign contributions for Iowa candidates. It restricts contributions to $4,000 from individuals or political committees and $40,000 from political parties for statewide office candidates (like governor), while lowering these caps to $1,000 and $10,000 for state senator or representative candidates. The bill applies separately to each primary, general, and special election within an election cycle. Violations carry penalties including a serious misdemeanor charge (up to 1 year in jail and $2,560 fine) or civil penalties up to $2,000.

Maddy summaryHF 403 allows courts in Iowa to permit certain witnesses, including minors under 18 and victims or witnesses with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities, to testify via two-way closed-circuit video equipment instead of in the physical courtroom. This protects them from trauma caused by facing the defendant directly, which could impair their ability to communicate. The court must specifically find such measures are necessary and limit the room with the witness to the judge, attorneys, necessary technicians, and individuals supporting the witness’s well-being. The minor must also be informed the defendant will view their testimony via video but will not be physically present.

Maddy summaryHF 410 would require Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to set reimbursement rates for child care providers caring for unhoused children equal to the rate for children needing special-needs care. The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing. This change directly affects child care providers serving unhoused children and the state's child care assistance program budget. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and remains in committee.

Maddy summaryHF 338 removes a prohibition in Iowa law that previously prevented the dental board from creating rules allowing registered dental assistants to administer local anesthesia. The bill directly affects dental assistants who complete required training and the Iowa dental board, which would now have the authority to establish rules for this expanded practice. Key provisions eliminate the specific language blocking the board from delegating local anesthesia administration, though it does not automatically grant this authority - it requires the board to adopt new rules first. The bill is currently pending in the Health and Human Services committee after introduction on February 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 341 changes how Iowa's child care assistance program pays providers. It allows providers to choose biweekly or monthly billing and shifts payment from "child care provided" to "hours scheduled" for enrolled children. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to pay providers within 10 business days of receiving a bill, and to notify providers of errors within 5 days if corrections are needed. This directly affects child care providers enrolled in the state program and the Department of Human Services. The change aims to streamline payments and reduce administrative delays.