Sen. Herman Quirmbach

Maddy summarySF 2259 lowers the threshold requiring a construction permit for new confinement feeding operations from 1,000 animal units (AUs) to 300 AUs. This directly affects smaller livestock operations - specifically, those that would exceed 300 AUs after construction, such as farms housing approximately 750 swine over 55 pounds. The bill modifies existing permit requirements under Iowa’s Animal Agriculture Compliance Act, while maintaining that unformed manure storage structures always require a permit. Penalties for violations remain unchanged, with civil fines up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySF 2267 requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality (within the Department of Agriculture) to publish online, regularly updated reports tracking progress on state-funded clean water projects. These reports must include water quality data collected before, during, and after projects, specifically for initiatives monitoring surface water to establish benchmarks for goals like reducing pollutants or runoff. The bill applies to any state-funded program measuring nutrient levels, stormwater, or runoff, making the data publicly accessible via a joint agency website. This focuses on transparency for projects already authorized under existing water quality laws, without creating new programs or mandates.

Maddy summarySF 2262 prohibits the construction or expansion of confinement feeding operation structures (including partially roofed facilities) in Iowa, affecting large-scale livestock operations. It includes exceptions for small animal feeding operations and ongoing projects begun before the bill's effective date. The moratorium ends 30 days after the Iowa Department of Natural Resources publishes a notice confirming fewer than 100 impaired water bodies on the state's official list. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a separate billing class for large energy use facilities in Iowa that consume 20 megawatts or more (primarily industrial facilities under NAICS code 518210). It requires utilities to establish distinct rates for these facilities that directly assign their service costs and prevent shifting those costs to other customers. The utilities commission must review proposed rates to ensure they don’t unfairly increase costs for other customers or undermine grid reliability. The rules apply only to facilities built or expanded on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySJR 2009 proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa that prohibits corporations from making financial contributions or participating in election campaigns, ballot measures, or political committee activities. It specifically exempts corporations formed to create, sell, or operate election equipment. The amendment would require voter approval after legislative referral, as it seeks to amend the state constitution. This change directly affects all Iowa corporations engaging in political spending, excluding only election technology businesses. The bill does not alter existing laws governing corporate activities beyond political participation.

Maddy summarySF 2260 gives Iowa counties authority to regulate the location and expansion of large livestock facilities (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 pigs). Counties must adopt siting ordinances to approve or deny construction/expansion of such facilities, requiring county board approval before work begins. The bill also allows counties to set stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law requires and mandates a state permit before county approval. This directly affects counties, livestock operators, and nearby residents by shifting regulatory control from state agencies to local governments for major facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the statewide school district foundation property tax rate from $5.44 to $4.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value, effective July 1, 2026. It also repeals Iowa’s education savings account program, which allowed families to use public funds for private school tuition. The tax rate change directly affects all Iowa school districts and adjusts tax credit calculations for agricultural landowners under existing family farm tax credit programs. The bill’s provisions apply to school budgets beginning July 1, 2026, with phased increases for reorganized school districts.

Maddy summarySF 2229 adjusts Iowa's preschool program funding and education savings account eligibility. It revises how preschool funding is calculated based on weekly instructional hours: districts offering 10-14 hours per week receive 50% of enrollment funding, rising to 100% for 30+ hours. For education savings accounts, it expands eligibility to all nonpublic school students for 2025-2026, but starting July 2027, only households with income ≤400% of federal poverty guidelines will qualify. The bill directly affects school districts receiving preschool funding and families using education savings accounts.

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.