Sen. Janet Petersen

Maddy summarySF 2135 requires licenses or permits for commercial establishments (like pet shops, kennels, shelters, and breeders) that handle animals not used for agriculture. It mandates annual licensing with fees of $75 for certificates (e.g., shelters) and $175 for licenses (e.g., pet shops), and prohibits these businesses from purchasing animals from unlicensed facilities. The bill also requires establishments to maintain records for department compliance checks and sets penalties for violations, including reinspection fees for repeated noncompliance. This law directly affects Iowa businesses operating animal facilities beyond farming, imposing new regulatory and financial obligations.

Maddy summarySF 2108 prohibits peace officers (including state troopers, city/county police, and federal/state agency officers) from wearing opaque facial coverings like balaclavas or tactical masks while performing duties. Exceptions include translucent face shields, medical masks, motorcycle helmets during operation, and equipment for hazardous conditions. Violating this law is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,560 fine. Crucially, if an officer commits misconduct like assault while violating this rule, they lose legal immunity and must pay at least $10,000 in damages to the affected person. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers' gear during public interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the expiration date for an annual $20 million appropriation from Iowa's general fund to the Resources Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund. Currently, this funding is set to end June 30, 2028, but the bill makes it permanent. The REAP Fund, which supports conservation and environmental projects, will continue receiving this $20 million annually unless lottery funds are also appropriated to the fund (in which case the general fund amount would be reduced by the lottery contribution). The bill directly affects the long-term funding mechanism for the REAP Fund's conservation programs.

Maddy summarySF 2123 requires individuals who manufacture firearms (not licensed dealers) to obtain a unique serial number or identification mark from Iowa's Department of Public Safety by December 1, 2026, and permanently affix it to the firearm or unfinished frame/receiver. It prohibits removing, altering, or defacing existing identification marks on firearms and bans possession of unfinished frames/receivers without a mark after 2026. The bill exempts federally licensed manufacturers, antique firearms, pre-existing firearms, and transfers to law enforcement. Violations carry class C felony penalties, but the law focuses on creating a tracking system for homemade firearms and parts.

Maddy summarySF 2106, the "Iowa Residential Rent Fairness and Anticollusion Act," prohibits landlords managing five or more properties from coordinating rent prices with other landlords or using algorithmic rent-setting systems that rely on nonpublic competitor data. It specifically bans software, AI, or automated tools that set rent based on secret data from other landlords without human review, treating this as price fixing. Violators face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per rental unit per month, injunctions, and restitution for tenants overcharged. The bill also requires landlords and algorithm providers to maintain records for five years and allows tenants to sue for damages if harmed by violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires firearm owners in Iowa to report lost or stolen firearms to local law enforcement within 48 hours of discovery. It directly affects individuals who own firearms and experience loss or theft. Violating this requirement is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $50 fine. The law creates a specific reporting obligation and penalty for non-compliance, without altering broader firearm regulations.

Maddy summarySF 2109 requires Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to study current fire safety code requirements and enforcement mechanisms for basement egress windows. The study must examine compliance issues and available remedies for property owners or renters facing non-compliant windows, with a final report due to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change existing codes or enforcement; it solely mandates a review to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySF 2104 requires large water use facilities in Iowa to report annual water usage to the Department of Natural Resources. It specifically targets facilities using 25,000+ gallons per day primarily engaged in data processing (NAICS 518210), ethyl alcohol manufacturing (NAICS 325193), or cryptocurrency mining. Each covered facility must submit detailed water usage reports by March 31 each year. The bill establishes a straightforward reporting obligation without altering water usage limits or imposing new restrictions.

Maddy summarySF 2047 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for covered insulin prescriptions at $25 per prescription for a 31-day supply. This applies to four specific insulin types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. The law affects insured individuals with diabetes who use covered insulin drugs under qualifying health plans, effective January 1, 2027. It does not apply to certain specialized coverage like Medicare supplements or short-term medical plans.

Maddy summarySJR 2005 is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Iowa to guarantee all youths a comprehensive public education meeting or exceeding national standards through public schools and qualified educators. It mandates instruction in core subjects including reading, math, science, history, social studies, arts, and human development, as determined by the legislature or education agencies. The resolution, currently referred to a committee after introduction on January 21, 2026, must next be published for three months and referred to the next general assembly before potentially going to voters for ratification. This is a procedural step toward amending Iowa's constitution, not an immediate law.