Rep. Monica Kurth

Maddy summaryHF 266 requires landlords in Iowa to refund 50% of an application fee to prospective tenants if they are not selected to rent a unit. This directly affects renters who pay application fees and landlords who collect them. The key provision mandates that landlords must issue this partial refund within a specified timeframe after rejecting an applicant. The bill amends Iowa Code Section 562A.9 to establish this requirement, aiming to reduce financial burden on renters who don't secure housing.

Maddy summaryHF 267 expands the definition of "cancer" in Iowa's public retirement systems to include all types of cancer, replacing specific references with a general medical definition. This change directly affects members of the Public Safety Peace Officers' Retirement System (PORS) and the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System (411 System), making more cancer diagnoses eligible for accidental disability and death benefits. The bill also extends this broader definition to the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System for in-service disability retirement. As a result, retirees or their families in these systems will now qualify for benefits for a wider range of cancer diagnoses under existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases hourly payment rates for court-appointed attorneys representing people who cannot afford legal help (indigent defendants) in Iowa. Starting July 1, 2025, attorneys will earn $126 per hour for class "A" felony cases (up from $86), $121 per hour for class "B" felonies (up from $81), and $116 per hour for all other cases (up from $76). The change directly affects public defenders and appointed lawyers handling these cases. The legislation aims to adjust compensation without altering the legal process or eligibility for indigent defense.

Maddy summaryHF 218 designates March 3 of each year as Triple Negative Breast Cancer Action and Awareness Day through an annual gubernatorial proclamation. The bill does not create a state holiday or alter existing laws. It directly affects public awareness efforts for triple negative breast cancer by establishing an official day for education and advocacy. The key mechanism is the governor's annual proclamation, requested by the legislature, to highlight this specific cancer type.

Maddy summaryHF 251 requires Iowa's state board of education to publish detailed information about nonpublic schools accredited by independent agencies. The board must list each school, the specific educational standards the accrediting agency required for accreditation, and any amendments or waivers to those standards. This information will be posted on the education department's website and updated annually by June 30. The bill expands transparency by making school-level accreditation details publicly available, moving beyond the current requirement that only listed accrediting agencies.

Maddy summaryHF 207 modifies reporting requirements for patients involuntarily committed for mental health treatment in Iowa. It requires medical directors or treating clinicians to submit an initial report to the court within 60 days of the commitment order, followed by reports at intervals of up to six months (previously 90 days) while the court order remains active. The bill also mandates that reports detail the patient’s condition (improved, unchanged, or deteriorated) and estimated treatment duration, and requires immediate notification if a patient refuses court-ordered treatment without good cause. This directly affects patients under involuntary commitment, healthcare facilities, and the courts overseeing their cases.

Maddy summaryHF 151 requires Iowa agricultural landowners to establish and maintain riparian protection measures - such as vegetation buffers along rivers and streams - to reduce soil erosion and protect surface water quality. It defines "permanent" practices (like planting trees or grasses) and "temporary" practices (like crop rotations), making riparian buffers mandatory regardless of cost-share program availability. The bill prioritizes state funding for these measures and directs soil and water conservation districts to focus on riparian protection in their planning, aligning with Iowa's nutrient reduction strategy. It applies directly to landowners with agricultural land adjacent to waterways.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 is a proposed constitutional amendment in Iowa that would add a new right to a clean and healthy environment to the state constitution. It states that every person has the right to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and ecologically healthy habitats, with the state designated as a trustee responsible for conserving public natural resources (like air, water, and lands) for all people, including future generations. The amendment is self-executing, meaning it would take effect without additional laws, and any state actions infringing on these rights would face strict legal scrutiny. This proposal must now be approved by the next Iowa General Assembly before being submitted to voters for ratification.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish new rules for Iowa citizens to directly propose constitutional changes or new laws through petitions, and to refer bills passed by the legislature to voter approval. It requires petition signatures equal to 8% of the previous gubernatorial vote in at least three-fourths of congressional districts for constitutional amendments, and 5% for proposed laws or referendums on bills. Petitions must be submitted 6 months before elections for initiatives or within 90 days of a legislative session for referendums, and initiatives cannot create new spending without new revenue. The amendment also excludes emergency bills, current spending, and school funding from referendum, and states that referendum-approved bills take effect without governor approval. This is a proposed constitutional change, not yet enacted, requiring voter ratification after legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHF 152 directs Iowa to apply for and participate in the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, which provides food assistance to children during summer months when school meals are unavailable. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (with Education) to submit an application to the USDA by February 2025 and appropriates state funds to cover administrative costs for the summer 2025 program. It directly affects approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded by an estimated $29 million in federal resources. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but applies retroactively to July 1, 2024, ensuring state funding covers costs from that date.