Sen. Mike Pike

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public schools and accredited nonpublic schools to hold practice-oriented scrimmages with nonaccredited home school sports organizations. It requires a written agreement covering safety protocols, date/location, and liability coverage before any scrimmage, with both parties assuming responsibility for their participants. Scrimmages cannot count toward official records, standings, or eligibility, must be voluntary, limit duration/intensity to practice standards, and cannot charge admission or use play-by-play commentary. The bill specifically defines "nonaccredited home school sports organization" as groups serving students in unaccredited private instruction settings.

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 2117 requires thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons to operate separately, with thoroughbred seasons lasting at least 67 days and quarter horse seasons at least 26 days. The bill mandates that races for each breed cannot occur on the same calendar day or overlap in timing, meaning one season must end before the other begins, unless a written agreement is reached between the racing owner associations and the Polk County racetrack licensee. This directly affects horse racing associations and racetracks in Polk County, particularly the licensee operating at the racetrack there. The bill corrects a recent commission interpretation that allowed overlapping races without such agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school district boards to follow Iowa's public records laws (Chapter 22) when handling requests for documents. If a school district denies access, individuals denied records can enforce their rights through Chapter 22's legal tools, including seeking court orders, monetary damages, or attorney fees. Repeat violations could lead to removal of school board members from office. The law directly affects school districts and anyone seeking public records from them, ensuring clearer enforcement of existing transparency rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 2025 attack in Syria. It recognizes their military service, posthumous promotions, and sacrifices, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to the families of the two fallen soldiers as a formal tribute. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or legal effect but serves to memorialize their service.

Maddy summarySF 335 prohibits public schools, community colleges, and state universities from including sexual orientation or gender identity instruction in curricula and restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. It allows parents or school employees to file lawsuits against school districts to stop alleged violations, with the school district facing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation if sued successfully. The bill also requires school administrators to report known violations of these restrictions to the district. These provisions apply to all public K-12 schools, community colleges, and state universities governed by the Iowa Board of Regents.

Maddy summarySF 347 prohibits public libraries in Iowa counties and cities from purchasing or providing materials depicting sex acts (as defined in Iowa law) to minors. It requires librarians to avoid knowingly sharing obscene material or hard-core pornography with minors, and allows parents/guardians to file complaints after 30 days of continued violations. If a court rules in favor of the complainant, the library entity faces civil penalties of at least $5,000 plus $500 per day, plus $10,000-$20,000 in damages to the parent, with fines paid to the state general fund. The bill applies to all public library districts and city libraries, creating a civil enforcement path for alleged violations.

Maddy summarySJR 6 is a constitutional amendment proposing to repeal Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund (which funded parks, trails, and conservation) and replace it with a new property tax relief trust fund. The amendment would dedicate a portion of increased sales and use tax revenue (capped at 0.375% of taxable sales) to lower school district property tax levies uniformly across the state. This fund would replace revenue previously generated from the foundation property tax levy, directly reducing property taxes for homeowners and businesses that fund public schools. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Iowa's education laws to update requirements for private instruction, world language teaching, dual enrollment access, and tax credits. It requires parents of privately instructed students to submit detailed course outlines and health documentation, while ensuring diplomas from private programs are treated equally to public school diplomas. The bill prohibits altering grammatical gender in world language instruction (e.g., Spanish, French) when teaching languages that use gendered grammar. It also clarifies dual enrollment access for privately instructed students to participate in public school academic and extracurricular activities. The tuition tax credit section is amended to adjust the credit amount for dependent students in kindergarten through grade 12.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 117) protects pharmacists and licensed healthcare practitioners (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) from employer or licensing board restrictions that interfere with their professional judgment when prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. It prohibits boards or employers from creating rules that deter professionals from using treatments they deem appropriate based on their expertise and scope of practice. Any such restriction - whether in contracts, handbooks, or policies - is declared unenforceable and cannot lead to disciplinary action. The bill ensures professionals using medication decisions within their scope and best judgment cannot face license discipline for those choices.