Rep. Gary Mohr

Maddy summaryHJR 6 is a resolution passed by Iowa's legislature requesting Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. It seeks to propose amendments that would impose fiscal limits on federal spending, reduce federal power over states, and restrict congressional and federal official terms. This is a procedural application - meaning it does not change laws itself but asks Congress to convene a convention to draft such amendments. Iowa's application remains active until two-thirds of states apply for a similar convention or Iowa withdraws it. The resolution specifically limits the convention's purpose to these three policy areas.

Maddy summaryHF 446 removes an exemption in Iowa's open enrollment law that previously allowed parents of children in online learning programs to bypass standard application deadlines. The bill requires all open enrollment applications - including those for children receiving instruction primarily over the internet - to follow the standard deadlines: March 1 for grades 1-12, and September 1 for kindergarten, pre-K, or special education students. This change directly affects parents or guardians enrolling children in public schools outside their home district through online programs. The bill does not alter access to online learning but standardizes the enrollment process for these students. It applies to applications submitted on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 208 allocates $35 million in tax incentives for workforce housing projects, to be applied against individual and corporate income taxes, franchise tax, insurance premiums tax, and moneys and credits tax. It reserves $17.5 million specifically for housing projects in small cities (as defined in Iowa law) registered after July 1, 2017. The remaining funds may allocate up to one-third to projects in Iowa's two most populous counties, but only for projects registered after July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects developers and builders of workforce housing projects seeking tax credits under these specific allocation rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 3) is a symbolic statement by Iowa's House of Representatives affirming the state's support for Israel. It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals or entities; instead, it expresses solidarity through shared values, condemns antisemitism and terrorism, and encourages cultural and economic collaboration between Iowa and Israel. The resolution highlights Iowa's partnership with Israel's Western Galilee region, economic ties in agriculture and technology, and support for Israel's sovereignty following the October 7 attacks. It was adopted unanimously (76-10) on February 13, 2025, with no binding policy changes.

Maddy summaryHF 215 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse and assault awareness education to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It mandates schools to develop and distribute materials for parents covering topics like recognizing unsafe touch, internet safety, and reporting resources, and to incorporate model guidelines into K-6 curricula. The bill also establishes continuing education requirements for educators on prevention topics and specifies that school districts will fund implementation using existing state foundation aid. This legislation directly affects all K-6 students and schools across Iowa by creating standardized prevention education and resource materials.

Maddy summaryHF 70 creates an annual 31-day open enrollment period for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) starting March 1 each year, beginning January 1, 2025. It directly affects individuals seeking Medicare supplement policies, including those under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or environmental hazard exposure. During this period, insurers are prohibited from denying coverage, charging higher premiums based on health status, or excluding preexisting conditions for at least one policy they offer. Insurers must also provide clear notice of the enrollment period to applicants. The bill aims to simplify access to Medigap plans while protecting consumers from health-based discrimination.