SF 2306 requires Iowa's Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to inspect businesses that handle non-agricultural animals, such as pet shops, shelters, boarding kennels, and commercial breeders. The bill mandates regular inspections during business hours and priority inspections for complaints or suspected violations of animal care standards. Businesses must allow inspections, and refusal may lead to a warrant for entry. This applies only to commercial animal businesses (not farms or agricultural operations), focusing on ensuring minimum care standards like food, water, and veterinary access.
SF 2308 prohibits Iowa utility companies from charging customers nonusage fees like meter fees, customer charges, or franchise fees. It requires utility bills to include only actual usage charges and late payment fees, banning all other charges. The bill applies to all public utilities providing water, electricity, and natural gas in Iowa, including smaller systems like rural water districts. The Iowa Utilities Commission must enforce these rules, review existing billing practices, and impose penalties for violations, including refunds to affected customers. This directly affects all Iowa utility customers by eliminating fees not tied to actual service consumption.
SF 2235 prevents Iowa cities from charging sewer fees for water lost to leaks, pipe failures, or other conditions where water does not enter the sewer system. It requires utilities to refund improperly collected fees when customers provide reasonable proof (like repair receipts or plumber certifications) of water loss. Customers can request refunds within 12 months of the affected billing period, and utilities cannot impose unreasonable barriers to these requests. The law applies to all city sewer systems in Iowa and gives customers the option to file complaints or seek refunds through civil action.
SF 2345 requires local health departments, schools, childcare centers, and colleges to include clear information about immunization exemption rules in all public communications about vaccines. It directly affects parents, guardians, and institutions like elementary/secondary schools, childcare facilities, and higher education institutions. The bill mandates this information be provided in written materials, websites, and registration documents, with a $1,000 civil penalty for each failure to comply. Penalties collected go to the state general fund, but the law does not change exemption eligibility or vaccine requirements.
This bill expands qualified immunity for Iowa state employees by explicitly including common law rights and privileges under state tort claims law. It directly affects state employees facing lawsuits under Chapter 669 (state tort claims) by making it harder to hold them liable for monetary damages if the law at the time was unclear. The key provision amends Section 669.14A to clarify that immunity covers constitutional, statutory, and common law protections, reversing recent court rulings that excluded common law claims. The law applies retroactively to all claims filed on or after June 17, 2021.
This bill clarifies that when a rental agreement makes a tenant responsible for utility payments, landlords cannot be held liable for unpaid charges. It prohibits utilities from billing landlords, placing liens on landlords' property, or conditioning service on landlord payments for tenant-related utility debts. Utilities must maintain separate billing for tenants and face civil penalties of $500-$5,000 per violation for noncompliance. The law directly affects landlords, tenants, and utility companies by shifting responsibility for tenant utility payments exclusively to the tenant and their utility account.
SF 2295 updates Iowa's licensing rules for venues conducting pari-mutuel wagering on dog and horse races. It clarifies definitions (like "racetrack enclosure" and "wagering area"), requires licenses for events using pari-mutuel betting, and specifically allows dog racetracks to continue operating after live racing ends by shifting to telecast wagering - Dubuque County's track until October 31, 2014, and Pottawattamie County's until December 31, 2015. The bill also prohibits building racetracks on prime farmland outside city limits and mandates neighborhood impact studies for new licenses. This directly affects dog and horse racing venues seeking or holding licenses under Iowa law.
This bill requires drivers who lose their license for severe speeding violations (exceeding speed limits by 10+ mph under 40 mph or 20+ mph over 40 mph) to install an intelligent speed assistance device in their vehicle to qualify for a temporary restricted license. The device must be approved by the state, and drivers cannot tamper with it. The law applies only to those whose license was revoked under specific speeding violations (sections 321.209, subsections 1, paragraphs "h" or "i"), not all speeding offenses. It also gives the state authority to set device standards and eligibility for low-income drivers. The bill includes effective date provisions but doesn't change penalties for speeding itself.
SF 2291 changes Iowa's beer tax structure by imposing different rates based on the beer's origin. It requires brewers and importers to pay $1.86 per 31-gallon barrel for beer made in the U.S. ("American brewery") and $5.89 per barrel for imported beer ("foreign import beer"). This replaces the current flat $5.89 tax on all beer, creating a lower tax rate for domestically produced beer. The bill directly affects all Iowa beer permittees who manufacture or import beer for wholesale sale within the state.
This bill (SF 2352) modifies Iowa eviction procedures for residential tenants who pose a "clear and present danger" to health or safety. Landlords may now seek immediate removal by a peace officer after a 3-day notice, without a court order, if the officer provides a sworn written affirmation of the danger and no exemptions apply. It also sets a strict 30-day maximum timeline for eviction court cases involving residential property, prohibiting courts from extending this period unless authorized by law. These changes aim to streamline evictions while ensuring tenants can contest termination in court. The bill applies to eviction actions starting July 1, 2026.
SF 2354 (Iowa) establishes three options for landlords to seek reimbursement from tenants for damage caused by assistance, emotional support, service, or therapy animals in rental housing. Landlords may use the Department of Revenue’s tax setoff program, claim a refundable income tax credit, or join a state-run insurance risk pool (optional). The bill prohibits landlords from charging deposits for service animals but allows reasonable, refundable deposits for emotional support or therapy animals (used only for damage beyond normal wear and tear). It also penalizes intentional misrepresentation of an animal as an assistance or support animal with a simple misdemeanor charge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.
HF 2560 requires child protection workers in Iowa to electronically record all interviews during child abuse and family assessments using audio, body cameras, or other reasonable methods. Recordings must be kept for five years and can only be shared with investigators, the child's caregiver in legal cases (with court permission), or the child's guardian (with court permission). The bill directly affects child protection workers, children in abuse assessments, and their parents or guardians by standardizing recording procedures and limiting who can access recordings. It implements federal GRACIE Act requirements and specifies penalties for unauthorized sharing while ensuring recordings don’t block evidence admission in court.
