Rep. Ken Croken

Maddy summaryHF 2259 prohibits Iowa insurers from using credit information to underwrite or rate motor vehicle financial liability coverage policies. This directly affects auto insurers operating in Iowa, specifically banning the use of credit data for determining premiums or eligibility for standard liability insurance covering vehicle ownership, maintenance, or use. The bill amends Iowa law to add a new subsection (1A) explicitly banning this practice, defining "financial liability coverage" as the standard liability insurance required for motor vehicles. Current law already restricted some credit use in insurance, but this bill specifically extends the prohibition to this coverage type.

Maddy summaryHF 2257 sets new rules for where and how renewable energy facilities (like wind turbines, solar farms, and battery storage systems) can be built in Iowa. It requires local governments to follow specific minimum distances from homes, community buildings, roads, and other properties - such as 2 times a wind turbine's height from occupied homes or 50 feet from nonparticipating property for solar. The bill also limits noise (max 47 decibels) and shadow flicker (max 30 hours/year) near residences, while requiring facilities to meet national safety and fire codes. These rules apply to all new renewable projects proposed after January 1, 2026, directly affecting developers, local zoning boards, and nearby property owners.

Maddy summaryHF 2266 would require Iowa employers to provide family medical leave to grandparents for specific family care needs related to their grandchildren, including the birth of a grandchild, caring for a grandchild with a serious health condition, and addressing military-related exigencies involving a grandchild. The bill modifies the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to extend these leave rights to grandparents, defining "employee" and "employer" as in federal law. Enforcement would be handled by the state department of inspections, appeals, and licensing using existing state procedures under Chapter 91A. This legislation directly affects Iowa grandparents who are employees and their employers by adding these specific leave protections to state law.

Maddy summaryHF 2263 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to establish seven statewide peer-run respite programs. These programs must provide voluntary, short-term support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or "life-altering challenges" (as defined in the bill), while operating independently from medical facilities and ensuring at least 51% of each program's board consists of people with lived experience of mental health conditions or similar challenges. The bill also limits clinical mental health services to under 10% of a program's total offerings and mandates that programs cannot be located on clinical or medical facility campuses. This legislation directly affects Iowans seeking crisis support and the state agency responsible for implementing these services.

Maddy summaryHF 2258 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation services (like egg freezing before cancer treatment). It mandates coverage for up to three completed egg retrieval cycles with unlimited embryo transfers (using single embryo transfer when medically appropriate), plus fertility medications on par with other prescription drug coverage. Religious employers may request an exclusion from this coverage if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must notify employees about the exclusion. The law applies to new or renewed health insurance plans issued on or after July 1, 2026, and excludes accident-only, dental, vision, and other specific coverage types.

Maddy summaryHF 2217 requires all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa to test for radon gas in school buildings at least once by July 2027 and every five years thereafter, with testing limited to October-March. It creates a state grant program within the Department of Education to help schools cover the costs of radon testing and mitigation, using funds that remain available year-to-year rather than reverting to the general fund. Schools must follow specific testing protocols and address elevated radon levels (4 picocuries per liter or higher) by conducting follow-up tests or developing mitigation plans. The bill also mandates that testing results be published online and reported to health officials, with grants intended to supplement, not replace, existing school funding for radon-related work.

Maddy summaryHF 2219 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct interviews with adoptive parents and adopted children 18-36 months after an adoption is finalized. The interviews must include separate face-to-face meetings (one with the parent and one with the child alone) and assess the child’s living conditions to ensure well-being. This applies only to adoptions with final court decrees issued on or after the bill’s effective date. The law mandates these checks to monitor the child’s adjustment in their new home environment.

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill prohibits peace officers (including state troopers, city/county police, and federal/state agency officers) from wearing opaque facial coverings like balaclavas or tactical masks during duty, except for clear face shields, medical masks, motorcycle helmets, or safety gear. Violating this would be a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $2,560 fine). Crucially, if an officer commits misconduct (e.g., false arrest) while wearing a prohibited covering, they lose legal immunity and could face $10,000+ in damages. The bill specifically defines "facial covering" to exclude items used for medical protection, safety, or operational needs.

Maddy summaryHF 2222 allows Iowa courts to require a pretrial risk assessment for bailable defendants charged with offenses where their release might endanger others. The assessment, conducted by correctional services using a state-approved tool, must be considered by the court when setting release conditions. Courts must determine if sufficient conditions (like supervision or restrictions) can reduce risk to others before releasing the defendant. This applies specifically to defendants where the court identifies a potential safety risk upon release. The bill does not change sentencing or create new offenses, only modifies pretrial release considerations.

Maddy summaryHF 2234 requests the Iowa legislative council to create an interim study committee focused on affordability issues in transportation, housing, energy, healthcare, and food. The committee must study these areas during the 2026 legislative interim and submit its findings and recommendations to the Iowa General Assembly by December 31, 2026. This bill does not make new laws but sets up a formal process for examining cost-of-living challenges affecting Iowa residents. It directly involves the legislative council and future policymakers who will review the committee's report. The study aims to inform potential future legislative action on affordability.