Iowa Bills

This bill is a procedural resolution that sets a specific end date for the 2026 legislative session. It declares that when the legislature adjourns on Sunday, May 3, 2026, this will be the final meeting of the 91st General Assembly. The measure does not create new laws or change policies; it simply provides the official closure for the current term.

This bill clarifies which organizations qualify for property tax exemptions by explicitly defining "religious institutions or societies." It ensures that churches, associations of churches, and religious nonprofit corporations organized for primary religious purposes are included, even if they are not affiliated with a specific house of worship. The changes will take effect for tax assessments starting on or after January 1, 2027.

This Iowa bill requires the secretary of state to establish an online portal for reducing bureaucratic red tape. The website will allow members of the public to request information about state executive branch regulatory restrictions and communicate directly with the secretary regarding those rules. Additionally, the secretary of state must submit an annual report to the general assembly detailing the requests and communications received through the site.

HF 2580 sets specific setback requirements for renewable energy facilities (wind, solar, and battery storage) in Iowa, effective January 1, 2026. It prohibits local governments from imposing setback distances greater than defined limits: wind facilities must be 2x their height from homes/community buildings, solar facilities must be at least 50-100 feet from property lines or homes, and battery storage must be 50-100 feet from structures. The bill also restricts local authorities from enforcing stricter noise (max 47 decibels) or shadow flicker rules than specified. This directly affects developers of renewable projects, local zoning decisions, and property owners near proposed facilities.

This bill exempts sales and use taxes on building materials, supplies, equipment, and services used to construct a regional water trail system by a specific type of nonprofit corporation. To qualify for this tax exemption, the nonprofit must be organized under Iowa law, have a majority of its board members appointed by state political subdivisions, and be responsible for implementing a regional recreational and dam safety plan. The tax relief applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, covering purchases made on or after that date for projects involving written construction contracts.

This Iowa bill modifies property tax rules and budget limits for state and local governments, affecting cities, counties, and other public entities that levy property taxes. It establishes a new cap on general fund reserves, limiting unassigned funds to 35% of prior year expenditures starting in fiscal year 2027, and creates a new property tax levy limit that allows annual increases of up to 102% for existing property valuations. The legislation also updates audit requirements for local governments, clarifies how unliquidated obligations are recorded, and excludes school districts from certain reserve and levy limitation provisions.

This bill requires drainage and levee districts in Iowa to waive administrative fees for local contractors and fiber optic network companies applying to install fiber optic cables on district land. Under the new rules, these specific local businesses will not be charged for the review, approval, or rejection of their easement applications, though districts may publish a list of eligible companies. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, streamlining the process for local infrastructure providers without changing the district's authority to grant easements.

HF 2544 requires Iowa community colleges, state-regent institutions, and public school districts to prohibit antisemitism and report annually on incidents. Each institution must submit by September 1 a report detailing all antisemitism complaints or incidents from the prior academic year, including investigation outcomes, to the state board of education. The bill also mandates that these entities integrate policies into their codes of conduct prohibiting antisemitic harassment or discrimination - treating it equally with other forms of discrimination under federal law (specifically Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964). The state board of regents must similarly submit annual reports to the state board of education, including reviews of policies addressing antisemitism.

This bill establishes the "Framework for Iowa's America 250 Celebration Act" to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It creates a sales tax holiday for clothing under $100 sold on July 3, 4, or 5, 2026, while excluding items like sports gear, accessories, and protective equipment. The legislation also directs the governor's task force to organize various state-wide events, including a Christmas tree decoration program, patriotic artwork, and an aerial display shaped like the number 250. Additionally, the bill mandates that public schools hold Constitution Day activities on September 17, 2026, and requires the state to erect a monument on the capitol grounds honoring the anniversary.

HF 2359 clarifies that city ordinances can require property owners adjacent to public streets (abutting property owners) to maintain the area between their property line and the curb line, such as sidewalks. It adds that these owners can be held liable for damages if they fail to use "reasonable care" in maintaining this public space, as required by local ordinance. The bill specifically excludes requiring property owners to remove diseased trees or dead wood on publicly owned property or right-of-way. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

This bill authorizes the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue special registration plates for the National Wild Turkey Federation, allowing vehicle owners to display support for wild turkey conservation. The plates cost $25 for standard designs and $50 for personalized versions, with an additional $10 annual fee that goes toward funding wild turkey habitat conservation and hunting programs. Funds collected from these fees are transferred to the Department of Natural Resources, which must prioritize grants to nonprofit organizations working on wild turkey habitat improvement and hunter recruitment. The legislation also ensures that the Department of Transportation cannot limit plate availability based on order volume, making the program accessible to any eligible vehicle owner.

HF 2295 prohibits Iowa state and local police from using drones for routine traffic enforcement, except when assisting in pursuits of drivers fleeing law enforcement for violations like reckless driving. It allows certified officers to operate drones during active chases to help apprehend fleeing drivers and issue traffic citations for violations committed during the pursuit. The bill also restricts drone-collected evidence from being used in court unless obtained legally - such as from public airspace or with a warrant for private areas - and only if consistent with state/federal law. This directly affects law enforcement operations and the admissibility of evidence in traffic-related legal cases.