Rep. Dave Jacoby

Maddy summaryHF 504 establishes a robotics grant program within Iowa's STEM collaborative initiative to provide funding for school robotics programs. It appropriates $400,000 to offset costs like team stipends, competition fees, kits, and travel for public school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill also allocates $100,000 to the University of Northern Iowa to develop a public-private partnership supporting the Iowa regional FIRST robotics competition. These provisions directly support K-12 robotics education and competition participation through targeted financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHF 498 eliminates Iowa's 6% state sales and use tax on retail purchases, services, and digital products, effective January 1, 2026. It removes the tax from all taxable transactions previously subject to the 6% rate, including goods, services, mobile telecommunications, and digital products. The bill also eliminates the 1% tax dedicated to the SAVE fund (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education). Local option taxes adopted under Chapter 423B remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill (HF 496) lowers the state's individual income tax rates for 2026 and beyond. It reduces the standard tax rate from 3.8% to 2.5% on taxable income, and lowers the alternate tax rate from 4.3% to 3.0% for higher-income filers. The changes apply to all Iowa residents and nonresidents with taxable income, affecting most individual income tax returns filed for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. The bill modifies existing tax calculation methods but does not change filing requirements or exemptions.

Maddy summaryHF 227 provides licensed veterinarians in Iowa with immunity from administrative, civil, or criminal liability when acting in good faith while handling cases involving alleged animal mistreatment. This includes cooperating with law enforcement on suspected abuse (under Iowa’s animal cruelty laws), assisting in animal rescues, or providing evidence in related court cases. Veterinarians who knowingly make false reports or provide false information, however, lose immunity and face disciplinary action, civil liability, or a simple misdemeanor charge (up to 30 days in jail and a $855 fine). The bill directly affects licensed veterinarians by clarifying their legal protections and responsibilities when involved in animal welfare investigations.

Maddy summaryHF 477 would allow an Iowa county to secede from the state by adopting a county ordinance. Upon adoption, the county would cease being a political subdivision of Iowa, meaning residents would no longer be subject to Iowa laws or the state constitution, but the ordinance would take effect no sooner than one year later. The bill requires the seceding county to first obtain federal government approval and either approval from another state to join it or approval to become its own state or territory. Additionally, all state-owned property within the seceding county would remain under Iowa's ownership and control.

Maddy summaryHF 478 requires contractors working on public projects (like roads, schools, or infrastructure) to pay workers the local prevailing wage rate, which includes both hourly pay and benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. It applies to all public bodies (including cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies) and their contractors or subcontractors. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing will set the prevailing wage rates for each county and enforce compliance, with penalties for violations. The law aims to ensure fair pay standards and prevent undercutting of local wages on public works projects.

Maddy summaryHF 474 requires Iowa's Department of Agriculture to inspect or monitor commercial animal facilities (like pet stores, kennels, shelters, and breeders) that handle animals not used for farming. It mandates regular inspections for all such facilities and priority checks when complaints arise or if there's reason to suspect inadequate care. Inspectors must verify facilities meet existing animal care standards (including food, water, housing, and veterinary care) during normal business hours, with the option to obtain search warrants if access is refused. Facilities failing to comply may face penalties under the law.

Maddy summaryHF 476 creates a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help school districts cover the costs of hiring or keeping one school resource officer (SRO) at each high school. The program, funded starting July 2025, provides grants from the state general fund to offset SRO expenses without replacing existing local or state funding for similar purposes. It establishes a dedicated fund that rolls over annually, ensuring continuous support for approved applications submitted by school districts. The state board of education will set eligibility rules and approve applications, but the bill itself focuses solely on creating this funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHF 484 allows Iowa political parties to choose between holding a presidential primary election or a caucus to select their presidential nominee. If a party opts for a primary, it must be held at least four days earlier than the initial nomination event in any other state or territory. Candidates must submit nomination petitions following existing rules, and the state elections commissioner will create implementing rules. The bill provides an alternative process but does not require parties to use primaries instead of caucuses.

Maddy summaryHF 358 increases the state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and reserve peace officers from $250 to $1,000 per tax year. It directly affects volunteers who served the entire tax year in these roles, compensating them for their unpaid service. The bill includes retroactive application, making the higher credit available for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. This change modifies existing tax code sections to adjust the credit amounts and applies to qualifying taxpayers filing returns for those years.