This bill requires Iowa state agencies to ensure that any passenger vehicle rented or leased with a diesel engine can use biodiesel fuel blended at 20% or higher (B-20). Specifically, it mandates that private vendors must provide manufacturer documentation confirming the vehicle's engine is compatible with B-20 biodiesel before being awarded state contracts. The requirement applies to all new or renewed rental/lease contracts issued on or after July 1, 2026. It extends an existing certification rule currently used for state vehicle purchases to the rental/lease procurement process. The bill does not mandate biodiesel use but ensures state vehicles can utilize this fuel type if chosen.
HF 2506 amends Iowa law to require licensed prize-awarding organizations to distribute prizes on the day they are won. If a winner isn't present, organizations must notify them as soon as practical within one year of the prize being awarded. This bill directly affects businesses and groups holding licensed raffles, contests, or similar prize events in Iowa. The change updates existing timing requirements to ensure prompt distribution or timely notification to winners.
HF 2714 requires service companies selling motor vehicle or residential service contracts in Iowa to obtain and maintain a state license. It directly affects companies offering these contracts - covering home maintenance (like HVAC or appliances) or vehicle protection plans - to consumers. Key provisions include mandatory licensing, reporting ownership changes or disciplinary actions within 30 days, and defining terms like "service contract holder" and "substitute part" (e.g., aftermarket car parts). The bill explicitly states these contracts are not insurance, avoiding overlap with insurance regulations. Companies must submit detailed applications, including biographical affidavits for executives and copies of contract forms, with a $500 license fee.
HF 2720 in Iowa allows either spouse to request a name change back to their birth name or pre-marriage name as part of a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or annulment decree. The bill requires courts to issue a separate, standalone document for the name change, excluding any other details from the divorce decree. This directly affects Iowans finalizing divorces who seek to revert their name, making the process clearer and more streamlined. The change simplifies administrative steps without altering existing name change options available under other laws.
This bill amends Iowa's definition of "public improvement" to exclude two specific types of projects from standard public construction bidding requirements. It removes city utility equipment for electric generating projects (under Chapter 388) and the furnishing/installation of manufactured homes (including foundation work, anchoring, and utility connections) from the bidding rules. This means these projects will no longer be subject to the usual public bidding process, directly affecting city utilities and manufactured home providers. The change applies to relevant sections of Iowa law governing construction contracts and reporting.
SF 2214 requires Iowa's Department of Transportation (DOT) to coordinate with utility companies upon written request when planning transmission line placements on highway corridors. It mandates the DOT to assign a project coordinator within 30 days and share future highway project plans that might affect transmission lines. The bill allows longitudinal transmission lines on primary roads (including interstates) with DOT approval, unless safety or highway function is threatened, and requires public disclosure of denial reasons within 90 days. This directly affects utility companies seeking to install lines along highways and the DOT's permitting process. The law updates existing rules to create a more structured, timely coordination process for transmission line installations.
This bill clarifies the authority of a health care decision-maker (attorney in fact) appointed under a durable power of attorney for health care in Iowa. It requires the decision-maker to follow the person's expressed wishes as written in the power of attorney, a separate life-sustaining procedures declaration, or communicated directly to them. The bill specifies that verbal requests to others or other documents cannot restrict the decision-maker's authority unless the power of attorney document explicitly states limitations. If the person's wishes are unknown, the decision-maker must act in their best interests based on medical condition and prognosis.
SF 2462 establishes a statewide Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system in Iowa to support families with children under 19. It creates district-level plans and advisory councils to coordinate evidence-based primary prevention strategies (like family support services), early intervention, and ongoing community resources focused on strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment. The bill includes funding for child care workforce assistance and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state plan through public collaboration. This system aims to improve child well-being by addressing root causes like poverty through coordinated, locally tailored services.
HF 2349 clarifies who controls the final disposition of cremated remains in Iowa when a designated person fails to act. It specifies that if a designee or person with authority does not claim cremated remains within 30 days after receiving written notice from a third party, their control automatically transfers to the next competent adult listed in the law (per Code section 144C.5). The bill also updates references to "decedent" instead of "declarant" and clarifies authority vesting. This directly affects individuals designated to handle remains who miss deadlines, ensuring remains are managed by the next qualified person. The bill makes technical corrections to existing law without creating new requirements.
HF 2062 repeals a provision that allowed property owners to challenge proposed zoning changes by filing a written protest signed by owners of 20% of the affected area or within 200 feet of the property. Currently, such a protest would require a city council to approve the change with a 3/4 majority vote. This bill removes that requirement, meaning zoning changes would no longer need the higher vote threshold if a protest is filed. The change directly affects property owners in areas where zoning district modifications are proposed, eliminating their ability to block such changes through this specific process.
HF 2032 allows Iowa water and wastewater utilities to recover costs for specific infrastructure upgrades through new "system enhancement charges" on customer bills. It directly affects investor-owned utilities regulated by the Iowa Utilities Commission, enabling them to recover expenses for projects like replacing aging systems, installing new infrastructure for safety/environmental protection, or complying with federal/state regulations. Utilities must first get commission approval for a multiyear plan detailing costs and benefits before implementing these charges, with the commission requiring the plan to include cost estimates, engineering reports, and evidence of compliance with environmental rules. The bill defines "system enhancement costs" to include capital expenses, operations, and a pretax return, but explicitly excludes fines or penalties.
This bill amends Iowa's definition of "qualified education expenses" for state tax-advantaged savings plans. It aligns Iowa's definition with specific federal Internal Revenue Code sections (529(e)(3) and 529(c)(7)), expanding covered expenses to include elementary/secondary school tuition, registered apprenticeship program costs, and principal/interest payments on qualified education loans for beneficiaries or their siblings. The change directly affects Iowa residents using the state's educational savings plan trust (Code chapter 12D) by clarifying which education costs qualify for tax benefits. The bill removes an outdated reference to a specific federal amendment while updating the definition to match current federal guidelines.
