Sen. Molly Donahue

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 2102 allows public school district employees and elected officials who are not covered by collective bargaining agreements for health insurance (defined as "nonstate public employees") to enroll in Iowa’s state health insurance plan. School districts must apply for this coverage, pay monthly premiums matching rates for state employees plus administrative fees, and deposit payments into a new trust fund. Unpaid premiums incur interest, and the state may withhold other district funds until payments are made. The bill requires annual reports on coverage costs and enrollment, effective July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 2080 requires Iowa school districts to allow Area Education Agency (AEA) employees who provide educational services to students to access relevant school district records. This directly affects AEA staff (such as special education providers) and school districts, ensuring AEA employees can access necessary student information to deliver effective services. The bill mandates that school districts permit this access when needed for educational programs, and resolves disputes by requiring districts to comply if either the AEA's special education director or the school district's special education director directs it. It removes barriers to information sharing while maintaining oversight through designated education leadership. The policy change focuses on enabling coordinated student support without expanding access beyond what is necessary for service delivery.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa public universities and private colleges participating in the state's tuition grants program to waive tuition and mandatory fees for education students during their student teaching semester. It directly affects teacher education students in their final year of training, who must complete a full-time, supervised teaching experience under a licensed instructor. The key provision mandates institutions to adopt this waiver policy as a condition of their participation in the Iowa tuition grants program, defining "student teaching" as the final-year clinical teaching experience. The policy applies only to the specific semester of student teaching, not the entire degree program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes regulations for businesses offering "human composting" (natural organic reduction), which converts human remains into soil. It requires facilities to obtain a license from Iowa's board of mortuary science, meet specific facility standards (including secure refrigeration and processing equipment), and follow strict handling procedures for bodies and remains. The law directly affects funeral homes and new composting businesses, requiring written authorization from decedents' designees, prohibiting commingling of remains, and mandating tracking systems. Key provisions include a $425 license fee, annual renewal requirements, and rules for accepting bodies only from licensed funeral homes.

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 summaryThis bill changes how excess energy credits are handled for customers with rooftop solar or other small-scale renewable energy systems (distributed generation). Under the new rule, unused credits must stay in a customer's account to offset future electricity bills until the customer specifically requests a cash-out or discontinues service. Previously, credits were automatically cashed out annually at the utility's avoided cost rate, splitting the funds between the customer and a low-income energy program. Customers now choose a January or April cash-out date when connecting their system, but credits remain available for future use without automatic payout.

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.

Maddy summarySF 2014, the "Restroom Emergency Access Act," requires retail businesses to allow customers with qualifying medical conditions emergency access to employee restrooms during business hours under specific conditions. It defines "eligible medical conditions" to include inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, ostomy device users, and other conditions needing immediate restroom access, requiring written documentation from a healthcare provider. Businesses must permit access if public restrooms are unavailable, sufficient staff are present, and the restroom area is safe - without requiring physical changes to the restroom. Violations incur a $200 civil penalty for repeat offenses, with businesses immune from liability unless grossly negligent.