Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2589: A bill for an act relating to the taxation of religious institutions and societies.

HF 2589 modifies Iowa's property tax exemption rules for religious institutions. It states that for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, an IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter will be conclusive proof that a religious institution qualifies for property tax exemption. The bill also clarifies that property tax exemptions remain valid after property transfers if the property continues to be used for religious purposes, and requires county recorders to notify both parties about exemption continuation requirements. This primarily affects religious organizations seeking property tax relief in Iowa.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2586: A bill for an act relating to temporary restricted licenses issued to persons whose driver’s license is suspended.

HF 2586 changes Iowa's temporary restricted license (TRL) program for people with suspended noncommercial driver's licenses. It allows the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue a TRL if the applicant completes a driver improvement course, replacing current restrictions that limited driving to specific places and times. Under the new rule, TRL holders can drive anywhere permitted for a regular class C license, not just to work or medical appointments. Existing TRL holders issued before July 1, 2026, are exempt from the new course requirement and maintain their current restrictions. The bill does not affect TRL rules for certain violations like DUI or commercial driving restrictions.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2578: A bill for an act relating to registration and titling of certain trailers.

HF 2578 modifies Iowa's trailer registration and titling rules by removing the exemption for trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less from certificate of title and lien requirements. It now requires these trailers (except farm trailers) to pay an annual registration fee of $20, while heavier trailers pay $30. The bill also changes title application fees to $30 plus a $5 surcharge (totaling $35), with funds going to the statutory allocations fund. This affects owners of non-farm trailers that previously had no registration or title requirements due to their weight. Farm trailers remain exempt from annual registration fees under this bill.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2403: A bill for an act repealing the state monopoly on the importation of alcoholic liquor, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill repeals Iowa's state monopoly on importing alcoholic liquor, effective July 1, 2027. It allows individuals domiciled outside Iowa within the past year to request a waiver for personal importation of alcohol for home consumption only, while requiring sealed containers with specific identifying markers for retail sales. The Department of Revenue must review the repeal's implications and propose new legislation by 2027, including plans for unused state infrastructure. The bill directly affects Iowa residents seeking to import alcohol personally, replacing the state's control with a limited waiver system.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2576: A bill for an act establishing the criminal offenses of possession of lethal narcotics and reckless homicide by lethal narcotic transfer, and providing penalties.

HF 2576 establishes new criminal offenses for possessing or transferring fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, or mixtures containing these substances. It creates a class D felony for first-time possession (with possible probation and treatment requirements), escalating to class C for second offenses and class B for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also creates a new class A felony charge for reckless homicide when transferring these substances and causing death, regardless of whether the victim consented. These provisions apply directly to individuals possessing or distributing these drugs, with enhanced penalties if firearms or weapons are involved during the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2078: A bill for an act relating to resident dependents not enrolled in a public school or receiving an educational savings account payment by creating an opportunity tax credit available against the individual income tax, creating a fund, making appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2078 creates an opportunity tax credit of $4,000 per eligible dependent for Iowa taxpayers whose children are not enrolled in public school or receiving an educational savings account (ESA) payment. It directly affects parents or guardians of dependents who meet specific criteria, such as having attended public school for at least one semester, being eligible for kindergarten, or previously receiving an ESA payment. The credit is refundable, can be claimed on tax returns or requested as an advance payment from a newly created state fund, and requires the Department of Revenue to verify enrollment status with the Department of Education. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and mandates annual reports starting in 2028 detailing claims and potential fraud.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2068: A bill for an act relating to the publication of notice of political party precinct caucuses.

HF 2068 allows political parties in Iowa to publish notices of precinct caucuses on their official social media accounts instead of (or in addition to) newspapers. The bill requires parties to publish the caucus date, time, and location twice: first 7-15 days before the event, and again within 7 days of the caucus. Notices must also state that voters affiliated with the party may attend, and the political party covers any publication costs. This change updates the existing requirement for newspaper publication to include social media as a valid method.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2091: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

This bill repeals a provision (Code section 414.5) that allowed property owners to submit written protests against proposed zoning district changes. Specifically, it removes the requirement that city councils must obtain a 3/4 vote to approve zoning changes if 20% of affected property owners file a written protest before a public hearing. The bill directly affects property owners who previously could challenge zoning changes through this protest mechanism. It eliminates this specific procedural step, meaning zoning changes would no longer require the 3/4 council vote if a protest is filed. The bill does not change other zoning approval processes, such as the requirement for shooting range modifications.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HSB 608: A bill for an act relating to the inclusion of the internet address for the your life Iowa program or successor program on public school student identification cards and including applicability provisions.

HSB 608 requires Iowa public schools issuing physical or electronic student ID cards to students in grades 6 through 12 to include the crisis hotline numbers and the internet address for the Your Life Iowa suicide prevention program (or its successor) on the cards. Schools may optionally include this information on ID cards for students in grade 5. The bill mandates that physical cards display the information directly on the card, while electronic cards must include a clickable link to the program's website. This applies to all new ID cards issued on or after the bill's effective date, with schools allowed to use existing unused physical card stock before complying.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2161: A bill for an act relating to the use of automatic registration plate readers, and providing penalties.

HF 2161 regulates the use of automatic license plate readers (APRs) by requiring local governments to first adopt an ordinance authorizing their use. It prohibits accessing captured license plate images or data more than 24 hours after capture without a warrant or subpoena, except for specific cases like stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts (child abductions), or human trafficking investigations. The bill bans using APRs for facial recognition and prohibits placing readers near religious sites, while requiring access logs and banning sharing data with non-governmental third parties. These rules apply to local authorities, law enforcement, and any entity operating APRs in Iowa, with violations punishable as misdemeanors.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2194: A bill for an act relating to the membership of the Iowa law enforcement academy council.

HF 2194 amends Iowa's law enforcement academy council membership rules. It requires one council member to be a state resident without law enforcement experience (replacing two previous resident positions), adjusts city population thresholds for police officer members (from 50,000+ to 25,000+ for larger cities, and from 50,000- to 5,000- for smaller cities), and adds two new categories: a member of the Iowa Fraternal Order of Police and a police officer from a regents institution. The bill also limits council members to two consecutive terms. These changes directly affect who serves on the council, which oversees Iowa's law enforcement training standards.

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2129: A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.

HF 2129 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible inmates in Iowa to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who meet behavioral and qualification criteria, aiming to address statewide operator shortages while providing post-release employment pathways. The program requires collaboration between corrections, natural resources, workforce development, and local utilities, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation in fiscal year 2026-2027. Annual reports on participation, certification rates, employment, and recidivism must be submitted to the legislature, and the program expires January 16, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results