SF 2019 makes it a crime to knowingly view, photograph, or film another person (or attempt to do so) for sexual gratification, directly affecting individuals who commit such acts. The bill specifies that violating this law is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine of $855-$8,540, and requires registration as a tier II sex offender unless the victim is under 13 (then tier III). This law amends Iowa Code section 709.21 to clarify penalties for privacy violations involving sexual motives.
SF 152 allows the Department of Transportation (DOT) to waive the driving skills test and certain physical exams for eligible military personnel applying for a state driver's license. This applies to individuals currently on active duty or those separated from service within the past year. To qualify for the waiver, applicants must certify they've held only a military license for two years, maintained a clear driving record, and have recent military experience operating motor vehicles. They would still need to pass an eyesight screening, a highway sign recognition test, and a written test on state traffic laws, and would be exempt from driver education requirements.
SF 27 requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to include new information in its electronic database, which is used by the DOT and law enforcement. This database will now indicate whether a driver was required by the department or a court to complete remedial driver improvement actions, such as an education course, following an arrest, citation, conviction, or accident. It will also show if the driver successfully completed these actions. The bill further mandates that court clerks notify the DOT within ten days of a court order for such action and again within ten days of confirmation that the action was completed.
This bill (SF 2442) limits county zoning boards' authority over residential construction in unincorporated areas. It prohibits counties from restricting the building or development of residential properties - defined as single-family homes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings (up to 12 units per building) - except for regulations necessary to protect life or property safety. Counties may no longer impose rules on residential construction for non-safety reasons, such as limiting building density or lot coverage. The law directly affects homeowners, developers, and county zoning boards in rural and unincorporated regions of Iowa. It updates existing zoning authority to prioritize construction access while maintaining safety-based regulations.
This concurrent resolution confirms Bernardo Granwehr's appointment as Ombudsman for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026, as required by Chapter 2C of the law. It follows the constitutional process where the Legislative Council appoints the Ombudsman, subject to approval by both chambers of the legislature. The resolution formally approves his appointment without creating new policy or affecting any specific group.
SF 2157 creates a legal pathway for private individuals to sue others who file lawsuits against them with malicious intent. To win such a case, a plaintiff must prove the original lawsuit was dismissed or decided in their favor, the defendant lacked reasonable legal/factual justification for filing it, the defendant acted with improper purpose (like harassment), and the plaintiff suffered actual financial harm directly from the case. The bill clarifies that plaintiffs don’t need to prove special harms like arrests or property seizures - only the normal stress and costs of defending a civil lawsuit. This applies solely to disputes between private parties, not to challenges against government actions.
HF 2519 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect accrued interest on unpaid child support debts, using the same interest rate applied to court judgments. It removes the current requirement for HHS to track interest balances separately and allows HHS to collect this interest without needing a court order first. The bill also permits HHS to waive accrued interest if doing so helps collect the underlying child support payment. This directly affects parents who owe unpaid child support, as it changes how interest on their debt is handled and collected.
HF 2511 requires Iowa's Flood Center to develop a statewide resilience plan by December 2028, coordinating with state agencies like Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. The plan must include a risk assessment for flooding and water supply changes, an inventory of critical infrastructure (like hospitals, roads, and water systems), and a method to prioritize resilience projects. It directly affects state agencies responsible for implementing the plan and local communities by guiding how state funds address flood risks and natural hazards. The bill mandates biennial progress reports to the governor and legislature to track implementation of the plan's recommendations.
HF 2330 modifies Iowa's public records law to improve access for requesters. It requires government offices (custodians) to acknowledge written, phone, or electronic requests "promptly" and provide contact details for their designee within reasonable time. Custodians must also give requesters an estimated timeline for responses, an estimate of any reasonable fees (capped at 30 minutes of work for free copies), and notice of expected delays. The bill ensures requesters can contest fee reasonableness and mandates clear communication about costs and timelines before processing requests.
HF 2565 establishes the Iowa Human Trafficking Task Force within the Department of Public Safety to coordinate statewide efforts against human trafficking. The task force will operate across four geographic quadrants (divided by I-35 and I-80) with specialized staff including investigators, victim advocates, cybercrime specialists, and a deputy director. It will serve as the primary contact for trafficking reports, develop data-sharing strategies, oversee statewide training, and submit annual reports to the legislature. The bill also creates a dedicated special prosecution team within the Attorney General’s office to handle trafficking-related cases. This law directly affects law enforcement agencies (required to assist the task force), human trafficking victims (through specialized support), and prosecutors handling trafficking cases.
HF 2294 extends the deadline for filing complaints with the Iowa Public Information Board from 60 to 90 days after an alleged violation of open meetings (Chapter 21) or open records (Chapter 22) laws. It directly affects anyone seeking to complain about government transparency issues, including citizens, taxpayers, the attorney general, or county attorneys. The bill requires complaints to be filed within this 90-day window and mandates that all filed complaints become public records. This change provides more time for complainants to document and submit allegations of government noncompliance.
This bill allows Iowa local officials and employees to receive up to $100 annually in monetary donations from colleagues through online crowdfunding platforms to cover medical or healthcare expenses related to a diagnosed condition. It explicitly permits these peer-to-peer donations only when facilitated via approved online fundraising tools, with no exceptions for independent contractors. Violating this rule - such as exceeding the $100 annual limit or using non-platform methods - would constitute a serious misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $2,560 or up to one year in jail. The bill is pending after committee approval and does not alter existing ethics prohibitions for other gift types.
