Sen. Cherielynn Westrich

Maddy summarySJR 2008 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Iowa General Assembly supporting the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and the transfer of education authority to state and local governments. It argues that federal education regulations have caused inefficiency and stagnant student reading scores despite high spending, and that states are better positioned to address local educational needs. The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with efforts to dissolve the Department of Education, citing the Tenth Amendment as the constitutional basis for state control. This resolution does not change federal policy but formally expresses Iowa's position on education governance.

Maddy summarySF 2308 prohibits Iowa utility companies from charging customers nonusage fees like meter fees, customer charges, or franchise fees. It requires utility bills to include only actual usage charges and late payment fees, banning all other charges. The bill applies to all public utilities providing water, electricity, and natural gas in Iowa, including smaller systems like rural water districts. The Iowa Utilities Commission must enforce these rules, review existing billing practices, and impose penalties for violations, including refunds to affected customers. This directly affects all Iowa utility customers by eliminating fees not tied to actual service consumption.

Maddy summarySF 2235 prevents Iowa cities from charging sewer fees for water lost to leaks, pipe failures, or other conditions where water does not enter the sewer system. It requires utilities to refund improperly collected fees when customers provide reasonable proof (like repair receipts or plumber certifications) of water loss. Customers can request refunds within 12 months of the affected billing period, and utilities cannot impose unreasonable barriers to these requests. The law applies to all city sewer systems in Iowa and gives customers the option to file complaints or seek refunds through civil action.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that when a rental agreement makes a tenant responsible for utility payments, landlords cannot be held liable for unpaid charges. It prohibits utilities from billing landlords, placing liens on landlords' property, or conditioning service on landlord payments for tenant-related utility debts. Utilities must maintain separate billing for tenants and face civil penalties of $500-$5,000 per violation for noncompliance. The law directly affects landlords, tenants, and utility companies by shifting responsibility for tenant utility payments exclusively to the tenant and their utility account.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2352) modifies Iowa eviction procedures for residential tenants who pose a "clear and present danger" to health or safety. Landlords may now seek immediate removal by a peace officer after a 3-day notice, without a court order, if the officer provides a sworn written affirmation of the danger and no exemptions apply. It also sets a strict 30-day maximum timeline for eviction court cases involving residential property, prohibiting courts from extending this period unless authorized by law. These changes aim to streamline evictions while ensuring tenants can contest termination in court. The bill applies to eviction actions starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 2354 (Iowa) establishes three options for landlords to seek reimbursement from tenants for damage caused by assistance, emotional support, service, or therapy animals in rental housing. Landlords may use the Department of Revenue’s tax setoff program, claim a refundable income tax credit, or join a state-run insurance risk pool (optional). The bill prohibits landlords from charging deposits for service animals but allows reasonable, refundable deposits for emotional support or therapy animals (used only for damage beyond normal wear and tear). It also penalizes intentional misrepresentation of an animal as an assistance or support animal with a simple misdemeanor charge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 2252 modifies Iowa's Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program to allow tax incentives for building a National Football League (NFL) stadium. The bill expands the existing program - which currently targets businesses in advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or R&D - to include NFL franchises constructing a professional sports stadium. Key provisions define "sports stadium" as a facility for NFL games and specify that incentives (like sales tax refunds and investment tax credits) would apply to the stadium project, subject to the program’s $1 billion investment threshold. This bill would directly affect NFL teams seeking to build a stadium in Iowa, but it does not change other MEGA program requirements or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2310) requires Iowa's Health and Human Services (HHS) to verify the immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants and recipients before approving or continuing benefits for four specific public assistance programs: SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid (healthcare), FIP (cash assistance), and CHIP (children's health insurance). It mandates using the federal "Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Online" (SAVE) system to check this information. The change applies to both initial eligibility determinations and ongoing eligibility reviews for these programs. The bill does not alter benefit levels or eligibility criteria beyond this verification step.

Maddy summarySF 2307 establishes "felony rental vandalism" for tenants or occupants who cause over $1,000 in damage to rental properties through criminal mischief or intentional pest infestations. It classifies this as a felony, requiring courts to notify health and human services departments of convictions. The bill blocks eligibility for state supplementary assistance (like housing aid) until the offender pays full restitution to the landlord or completes jail time, except for child assistance or emergency medical aid. It also extends this ineligibility to federal housing assistance under Section 8 of the Housing Act, where federal law permits, without risking state funding loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time period for minors to file civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse or exploitation that occurred during their childhood. It allows victims to file claims within 10 years of discovering the injury and its connection to the abuse, or until they turn 18 - whichever is later. The bill also revives previously time-barred cases (filed before the law's effective date) for a three-year window, and grants these cases priority in court scheduling. These provisions specifically apply to civil actions against counselors, therapists, school employees, or others providing training/education.