Sen. Jesse Green

Maddy summarySenate File 6 requires various educational institutions and childcare providers to disseminate information about immunization exemptions. It mandates that the state health department, elementary and secondary schools, and licensed child care centers include exemption details in public communications, on their websites, and in registration documents. Schools, child care facilities, community colleges, and institutions of higher learning must also provide this information to parents, guardians, or students in communications related to immunization requirements. The bill aims to ensure individuals are informed about their options for immunization exemptions.

Maddy summarySF 22 regulates how drivers can use electronic devices while operating a vehicle. It specifically addresses the use of these devices in a voice-activated or hands-free mode. The bill establishes penalties for any violations of these new rules. These provisions and penalties are set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 415 makes it a class D felony (up to 5 years in prison and a $10,245 fine) for anyone who knowingly reports false information about specific serious crimes to police or fire departments, including forcible felonies, terrorism, or arson. It also increases penalties for continuing to make false accusations after being proven wrong, changing malicious prosecution charges from a serious misdemeanor to an aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years in prison and an $8,540 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who falsely report certain high-level criminal acts, such as terrorism or violent offenses. Key provisions clarify that false reports about these specific crimes - rather than all criminal accusations - trigger the felony charge, and require proof the report was known to be false. The bill aims to deter false reports that waste public safety resources and harm innocent people.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from requiring either parent to pay for a child's postsecondary education (like college or career training) in divorce or custody orders. It directly affects parents in divorce cases involving children aged 18-22 who are attending school. The key provision (Section 598.21F) states courts "shall not order" such payments in temporary orders or final judgments. The law applies only to new or pending orders after July 1, 2025, and does not change existing orders made before that date.

Maddy summarySF 279 provides legal immunity for sports and exhibition venues (including race tracks, athletic events, trade fairs, and art exhibitions) from nuisance lawsuits. It sets strict conditions for filing such lawsuits: only the majority owner of affected property can sue, and only if the venue materially violated a law. The bill also establishes that venues operating over one year cannot be deemed nuisances due to changed neighborhood conditions, provided they comply with all laws, and protects "reasonable expansions" like technology upgrades or land purchases. This applies to all venues meeting these criteria, excluding cases involving negligence or law violations.

Maddy summarySF 280 allows public school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to create policies enabling students to earn academic credit for completing religious instruction courses provided by private organizations. The bill requires schools to evaluate such courses based on instructional hours, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content or denominational affiliation - while prohibiting absences for these courses from counting toward chronic absenteeism (defined as exceeding 10% of school days). It also mandates that parents notify schools in advance, limits religious instruction absences to five hours weekly, requires private organizations to maintain attendance records, and ensures students make up missed schoolwork. Schools must comply with these requirements when adopting related policies under Section 279.87.

Maddy summarySF 282 prohibits Iowa's regents institutions (public universities) from requiring students to take courses or faculty to participate in activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory as part of any degree program. It bans forcing students to enroll in such courses for general education, majors, or certificates, and prevents institutions from tying faculty evaluations, promotions, or pay to including related content in courses. Exemptions are allowed only for programs explicitly titled as focusing on racial, ethnic, or gender studies, but students cannot be forced to take these programs to meet other degree requirements. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summarySF 350 prepares Iowa to appoint delegates if Congress is required to call an Article V constitutional convention (a process where states propose constitutional amendments). The bill establishes procedures for Iowa's legislature to name five commissioners, hold a special session if needed, and ensure delegates only support amendments related to the convention's specific topic. It directly affects Iowa's state government and future delegates by creating a formal framework for participation. The bill does not change constitutional requirements but ensures Iowa is ready to fulfill its role under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Maddy summarySF 323, the "Regent Governance Reform Act," restructures Iowa's State Board of Regents by adding a ninth voting member who must be a full-time student enrolled at one of Iowa's public universities. It requires the governor to consult with student governments when appointing this student member and mandates that institutions incorporate a specific academic test into admissions by 2025-2026. The bill also requires the board to adopt policies prohibiting faculty senate committees from holding governance authority and to approve new academic programs before implementation. These changes directly affect the board's composition, university admissions processes, and faculty governance structures across Iowa's public higher education institutions.

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.