Rep. Dan Gosa

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 The education savings account program is scheduled to be completely repealed on July 1, 2029, with related funding calculations taking effect in 2030.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 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 2708 modifies Iowa's penalties for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) that unintentionally causes injury. It creates a new aggravated misdemeanor charge for OWI causing injury that does not meet the legal definition of "serious injury" (e.g., minor harm not requiring surgery or severe disfigurement). A first offense carries up to two years in jail and fines of $855-$8,540, while a second or subsequent offense becomes a class D felony punishable by up to five years in jail and fines of $1,025-$10,245. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of OWI causing non-serious injury, adjusting penalties to better align with the severity of the harm caused.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program for public buildings over 20,000 square feet (including schools, hospitals, public housing, and government facilities) to cover 100% of costs for mechanical insulation upgrades. Applicants receive a free energy audit from a certified contractor to identify missing or damaged insulation, then get grants covering all qualified materials and labor for installing insulation on pipes, HVAC systems, and equipment. The program requires specific state funding to operate and is administered by Iowa's Economic Development Authority. Grants are limited to projects that improve energy efficiency through proper mechanical insulation.

Maddy summaryHF 2458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Workforce Development to help two groups: high school students pursuing a para-educator certificate and associate degree, and current para-educators seeking a bachelor's degree. The program provides financial assistance for education costs and is funded by a $3.5 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026-2027. It also allows prior work experience through this grant program to count toward the 14-week student teaching requirement for education students. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to administer the program in consultation with the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryHF 2457 establishes a state program where community colleges partner with employers and school districts to help high school students (grades 9-12) earn industry credentials while still in school. Employers agree to fund at least 20% of program costs and guarantee high-wage jobs (minimum 200% of federal poverty level for a family of two) for students who complete the program. In return, employers receive tax credits based on wages paid to participants, calculated as up to 10% of gross wages, which are applied against their state withholding taxes. The program requires annual budget adjustments, includes employer default procedures, and allows employers to pause hiring during economic downturns. It directly affects students, community colleges, and qualifying employers in manufacturing, construction, R&D, and services (excluding retail).

Maddy summaryHF 2453 allows Iowa school districts to use existing general fund flexibility accounts for costs to expand preschool programs for four-year-olds. This directly affects school districts by expanding the permitted uses of funds they already manage under state law. The bill amends Section 298A.2, subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraph (1) to specifically include "start-up costs and costs to expand" approved local preschool programs. The key change is redirecting current flexibility funds toward preschool expansion without creating new state funding.

Maddy summaryHF 2375 requires a human driver to be physically present in self-driving vehicles used for commercial purposes (like delivery services or ride-hailing) in Iowa, while allowing driverless operation for personal use. The human driver must monitor the vehicle, intervene manually if needed (including stopping the vehicle), hold a valid driver's license with required commercial endorsements (like a CDL), and follow all vehicle safety laws. This directly affects commercial operators of autonomous vehicles, ensuring human oversight during operations. The bill builds on existing Iowa law that already permits driverless vehicles without humans for personal use, adding this specific requirement for commercial applications.

Maddy summaryHF 2449 allows Iowa school districts to partner with cities and counties to jointly purchase group health insurance, nonprofit hospital plans, nonprofit medical plans, or group life insurance for their employees. Currently, school districts can only partner with other school districts or area education agencies for these plans, but this bill expands that option to include municipal and county governments. The key change is amending Iowa Code 279.12 to explicitly permit these new agreements, while clarifying they won't be classified as federal "multiple employer welfare arrangements." This directly affects school districts, cities, and counties seeking cost-effective health insurance solutions for their workforce.

Maddy summaryHF 2549 requires Iowa's Department of Administrative Services to contract with certified technicians to conduct mechanical insulation energy audits for all state-owned buildings by January 1, 2028, and every four years after. The audits must identify missing or damaged insulation, check compliance with ASHRAE energy efficiency standards, estimate emissions and energy loss from poor insulation, and provide cost estimates for repairs. These audits directly affect state-owned buildings across Iowa by mandating a systematic review of insulation efficiency. The law aims to quantify energy waste and remediation costs to inform future energy-saving investments in state facilities.