This bill requires Iowa's state registrar of voters to use data from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to automatically update the state's voter registration system. It mandates updates for specific records including duplicate registrations, address changes, deceased voters, and eligible citizens who haven't registered. The ERIC, a nonprofit shared by 24 states, provides this data to help maintain accurate voter rolls without adding new requirements for voters or election officials.
SF 562 regulates how health insurers use artificial intelligence in reviewing medical treatments. It requires insurers to ensure AI tools used for prior authorization decisions (like whether a treatment is medically necessary) cannot replace doctors' judgment, must base decisions on patient history and clinical circumstances, and must be non-discriminatory. The bill also sets strict timelines: insurers must respond to urgent requests within 48 hours and non-urgent requests within 10 days, with extensions only for complex cases. Additionally, insurers must publicly post annual statistics on approval/denial rates for all treatments requiring prior authorization. This bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by increasing transparency and accountability in insurance review processes.
This bill (SF 561) allows Iowa cities, towns, counties, school districts, and other local governments to use ranked choice voting (RCV) or instant runoff voting (IRV) for local elections. It amends election laws to permit voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with ballots counted in rounds: if no candidate gets a majority, the least-preferred candidate is eliminated and their votes transferred until one candidate achieves a majority or all seats are filled. Local governments may choose to adopt this method for their elections, but the bill does not require any specific jurisdiction to do so. The change directly affects voters and candidates in local races across Iowa’s municipalities and school districts.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment for Iowa that would limit consecutive service for state legislators. It would prevent anyone first elected to the Iowa General Assembly after 2028 from serving more than 12 consecutive years in either the House or Senate, and require a mandatory two-year break after reaching that limit. The amendment applies only to legislators first elected for terms beginning January 1, 2029, or later. If adopted by the next legislature and approved by voters, it would change the state constitution to impose this term limit.
SF 557 prohibits Iowa legislators, legislative staff, and their immediate family (spouse or child) from buying, selling, or trading financial instruments using nonpublic information gained from their official government roles. It requires these individuals to report all such transactions to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board within 30 days, including details like the instrument type, value, and any relevant legislative matters. The board must publicly post these reports online in a searchable format for transparency. Violations are classified as a class C felony, with penalties including fines, disgorgement of profits, and potential disciplinary action by the ethics committee.
SF 501 requires Iowa's health department to seek federal approval to add coverage for standard fertility preservation services under Medicaid (medical assistance program) and the Hawki program. It directly affects Iowans facing fertility risks from medical treatments like cancer care, including procedures such as egg retrieval and embryo transfers. The bill mandates coverage for up to three completed egg retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers, following American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines. Upon federal approval, these programs must immediately provide this coverage to eligible individuals.
This bill limits legal liability for food dealers (like restaurants and processing plants) and commercial vehicle owners who donate "evidently safe food" to Iowa food banks. It protects them from lawsuits if the donated food is deemed "evidently safe" (meaning a reasonable person would consider it safe despite not meeting retail standards) and they had no actual knowledge the food would cause harm. The protection applies only if donors operated under valid licenses, followed required food safety handling (like temperature controls), and did not declare the food unsafe or falsely advertise it. It does not cover food regulated as alcohol, under a government stop order, or if the donor knew the food was unsafe.
SF 261 authorizes local government officials and employees in Iowa to receive monetary donations (up to $100 per year) from colleagues via online fundraising platforms to help cover medical expenses related to a diagnosed condition. The bill specifically limits donations to those made through designated online platforms and prohibits donations exceeding $100 annually per recipient. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $2,560 or up to one year in jail. The bill directly affects Iowa local government workers who face significant medical costs, while restricting how such support can be provided.
This bill requires utility cooperatives in Iowa to provide members with specific financial records upon request. It directly affects members of nonprofit and standard utility cooperatives (like electric or water co-ops owned by their customers), mandating that they receive the association's most recent biennial report, budget, and balance sheet. Cooperatives must deliver these documents within 30 days of a reasonable member request. The bill does not change utility rates or services but ensures transparency in how cooperatives manage member-owned finances.
This bill requires employers with 15 or more employees to continue health insurance coverage for workers injured on the job (with valid workers' compensation claims) for at least six months after they leave employment, if the employer provided coverage at the time of injury. Employers failing to comply must reimburse employees for uncovered medical costs related to the injury. The bill also clarifies definitions of "independent contractor" in Iowa law (amending Sections 85.61 and 91A.2), specifying criteria like worker independence from employer control and excluding such workers from "employee" definitions for benefits purposes. These provisions apply to injuries occurring on or after the bill's effective date.
This bill creates a working group to examine why nursing homes aren't required to repay Medicaid when they close or sell, while residents' estates often must repay Medicaid after their care. The group, including state health officials, Medicaid fraud experts, nursing home representatives, and legislative members, will review this payment discrepancy. It must submit recommendations to the legislature by February 28, 2026, on how to recover Medicaid funds from nursing homes after closure or sale. The working group will dissolve after submitting its report, no later than March 1, 2026.
SF 48 requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and pregnancy resource centers in Iowa to report specific serious medical incidents to the state Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing within 15 working days. Facilities must report events like wrong-site surgery, medication errors, patient disappearances, falls, device failures, or serious injuries from contaminated products. The law specifies 15 distinct incident types that qualify as "serious reportable events," excluding certain situations like emergencies requiring immediate action. Reports must not include identifying details about patients, staff, or healthcare professionals. Failure to report could result in penalties established under the bill.
