Sen. Dawn Driscoll

Maddy summarySF 140 amends Iowa law to regulate satellite absentee voting stations. It requires that if a station is located on school property, the election must include a school-related ballot measure (such as a bond, levy, or educational program vote). The bill also mandates that election officials remove or obscure any published materials showing candidate names or public measure details (other than the ballot itself) at these stations. These changes affect how absentee voting locations are set up and what materials voters see near polling areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to repay student loans for veterinarians who practice in rural shortage areas or rural service commitment areas for four consecutive years. It directly affects veterinarians who commit to working in underserved rural communities by providing loan repayment assistance. The key provision allows recipients to exclude the amount of loan repayment received from their taxable income, with limits of $15,000 per tax year and $60,000 total over the program period, not exceeding their actual outstanding loan balance. This change simplifies tax reporting for participants without altering the core practice commitment requirement.

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 2252 modifies Iowa's Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program to allow tax incentives for building a National Football League (NFL) stadium. The bill expands the existing program - which currently targets businesses in advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or R&D - to include NFL franchises constructing a professional sports stadium. Key provisions define "sports stadium" as a facility for NFL games and specify that incentives (like sales tax refunds and investment tax credits) would apply to the stadium project, subject to the program’s $1 billion investment threshold. This bill would directly affect NFL teams seeking to build a stadium in Iowa, but it does not change other MEGA program requirements or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a provision (Code section 414.5) that allowed property owners to submit written protests against proposed zoning district changes. Specifically, it removes the requirement that city councils must obtain a 3/4 vote to approve zoning changes if 20% of affected property owners file a written protest before a public hearing. The bill directly affects property owners who previously could challenge zoning changes through this protest mechanism. It eliminates this specific procedural step, meaning zoning changes would no longer require the 3/4 council vote if a protest is filed. The bill does not change other zoning approval processes, such as the requirement for shooting range modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) before applying it to farmland. If PFAS is detected, the plant must notify the landowner in writing, who can then refuse the sludge without legal consequences. The law directly affects wastewater treatment facilities and landowners using sludge for agricultural purposes. It creates a mandatory testing step and notification process to address potential PFAS contamination in soil.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the YMCA's 175th anniversary and expresses the Iowa Senate's appreciation for its community service. It highlights the YMCA's historical contributions, including founding programs like basketball and Father's Day, and its ongoing work serving over 250,000 Iowans annually through youth development, health initiatives, and social services. The resolution does not create new programs or change laws - it is a ceremonial expression of support for the YMCA's mission.

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 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 432 updates Iowa's fence law to treat the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and county conservation boards the same as private landowners when building or maintaining partition fences along property lines. It requires these government entities to share fence costs equally with adjoining landowners through a formal fence viewers' order process, just like private owners. The bill specifies that DNR will pay its share using funds from the REAP fund's open spaces account, while county conservation boards will use funds from their specific REAP account. This change ensures government land managers follow the same cost-sharing rules as private landowners under Iowa Code chapter 359A.