Sen. Molly Donahue

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Iowa's definition of "beverage" for container deposit purposes. It adds nonalcoholic drinks like noncarbonated water and all nonalcoholic carbonated or noncarbonated beverages (excluding unflavored rice milk, soy milk, milk, and dairy products) to the list covered by deposit laws. The new definition applies to beverage containers starting July 1, 2027. This affects which drinks require a deposit when purchased in containers.

Maddy summarySF 2133 modifies Iowa's requirements for school administrator licenses. It requires new applicants for an initial administrator license to have taught as a teacher in Iowa for at least five consecutive years (across no more than two school districts) before applying. The bill also mandates that current administrators holding initial or professional licenses must maintain an active teacher license to keep their administrator credential. These rules apply to all new applications and licenses granted after the bill's effective date.

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 summaryThis bill creates a civil lawsuit option for victims harmed when an unsecured firearm owned by someone else is used in a crime. Specifically, if a firearm owner fails to secure their gun against theft or unauthorized use, and the gun is later used to commit a crime by a third party, the victim may sue the owner for damages. The owner can defend against the lawsuit by proving they reported the theft to police before the crime occurred. The law applies to cases arising on or after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new applicants for a permit to acquire pistols or revolvers in Iowa to complete firearm safety training, expanding a current requirement that previously applied only to applicants for permits to carry weapons. It specifies that training is not needed for permit renewals issued after July 1, 2026, or for certain renewal scenarios. The bill also adds penalties: transferring a pistol or revolver to someone who hasn’t completed the required training becomes a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $1,025-$10,245. These changes align with federal requirements for pistol purchases and aim to standardize safety training across permit types.

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, Iowa's "Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman Firearm Regulation Act," requires background checks for pistol and revolver purchases from any seller (not just dealers), prohibits sales to those under 21, and mandates unique serial numbers for homemade firearms by December 2026. It also requires identification markings on all firearms and unfinished frames/receivers, prohibits altering or removing these marks, and includes provisions for extreme risk protective orders and mental health funding. The law directly affects firearm manufacturers, sellers, and buyers by adding new registration and marking requirements for homemade weapons and tightening background check processes for pistols. Key mechanisms include the new serial number system for homemade firearms, age restrictions on pistol purchases, and penalties for tampering with identification marks.

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.