Iowa Bills

passed · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2652: A bill for an act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.

HF 2652 requires Iowa schools serving preschool through kindergarten to incorporate specific amounts of play-based learning into daily instruction. It mandates at least 90 minutes of play-based learning per half school day and 180 minutes per full day for prekindergarten programs, and at least 45 minutes daily for kindergarten programs. The bill defines "play-based learning" as child-directed activities promoting development through play, excluding recess or physical education. This applies to all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools offering these grades.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SF 2432: A bill for an act eliminating a city’s ability to create a city board of health or a city health department, and including effective date provisions.

This bill transfers public health authority from city-level boards and health departments to county or multi-county district boards. It requires counties without districts to establish county boards, mandates funding plans for boards (including city contributions), and sets requirements for public hearings before adopting health rules. The bill directly affects all cities, counties, and current local health departments in Iowa by changing oversight structure. Key provisions include allowing counties to join existing districts for efficiency and requiring written agreements with county hospitals.

died · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2700: A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, providing penalties, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2700 requires Iowa commercial drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency through a computer-based exam administered by the Department of Transportation before obtaining or renewing a commercial driver's license. Drivers who fail to meet the requirement cannot operate commercial vehicles and face a $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail for violating this provision. Commercial carriers that employ unproficient drivers face civil penalties of $3,000 for a first violation, increasing to $10,000 for subsequent violations, with fines deposited into the road use tax fund. The law aligns with federal safety standards (49 C.F.R. §391.11(b)(2)) and takes effect no earlier than March 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SF 424: A bill for an act relating to the allocation of special nonresident deer hunting licenses.

SF 424 changes how 50 special nonresident deer hunting licenses are allocated in Iowa. It directs 40 licenses to Iowa conservation organizations (as defined by law) and 10 licenses to the governor, who may accept all, part, or none. Unaccepted governor licenses by September 1 are added to the conservation organizations' allocation. These licenses are issued automatically when purchasing a regular nonresident hunting license (including habitat fees), waive hunter education requirements, and are intended for promoting Iowa's natural resources to nonresident guests and dignitaries. Media from these hunts cannot be used for political campaigns.

introduced · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HF 2747: A bill for an act relating to national wild turkey federation special registration plates, providing fees, and making appropriations.

This bill authorizes the Iowa Department of Transportation to issue special registration plates for the National Wild Turkey Federation, allowing vehicle owners to display support for wild turkey conservation. The plates cost $25 for standard designs and $50 for personalized versions, with an additional $10 annual fee that goes toward funding wild turkey habitat conservation and hunting programs. Funds collected from these fees are transferred to the Department of Natural Resources, which must prioritize grants to nonprofit organizations working on wild turkey habitat improvement and hunter recruitment. The legislation also ensures that the Department of Transportation cannot limit plate availability based on order volume, making the program accessible to any eligible vehicle owner.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SF 2337: A bill for an act relating to animal feeding operations by regulating shellfish, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2337 adds shellfish to Iowa's animal feeding operation (AFO) regulations by defining shellfish under specific weight-based categories for regulatory calculations. It establishes that shellfish weighing 25 grams or more count as 0.001 animal units each, while smaller shellfish count as 0.00006 units each. Shellfish operations can choose to follow general water quality permitting rules instead of standard AFO regulations. This directly affects shellfish farmers and aquaculture businesses in Iowa by integrating them into existing AFO oversight.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HF 2614: A bill for an act relating to the authorized uses of a township fire protection levy.

HF 2614 amends Iowa law to allow townships to use reserve funds from fire protection levies for constructing fire stations, in addition to their current permitted uses like purchasing or replacing equipment and supplies. Currently, townships can set aside up to $0.30 per $1,000 of taxable property value annually for reserves, which can only cover supplies/equipment. This bill expands that reserve use to include fire station construction while maintaining the same annual funding limit. The change directly affects Iowa townships that rely on these levies to fund fire protection services and infrastructure. The bill is pending in the 2026 legislative session.

passed · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HF 2725: A bill for an act relating to education reporting, including the sharing of unit-level wage data for secondary and postsecondary program evaluation, the establishment of the condition of education report, consolidating certain required reports, modifying responsibilities for the future ready Iowa last-dollar scholarship report, modifying Iowa workforce development data-sharing provisions, and creating a return on investment reporting system to be overseen by the Iowa student aid commission.

HF 2725 requires Iowa's Department of Workforce Development to share unit-level wage data (like job titles, earnings, and locations) with the Department of Education for evaluating secondary and postsecondary education programs. It establishes an annual "condition of education report" due April 1 each year, consolidating multiple existing reports, and creates a statewide return on investment (ROI) reporting system overseen by the Iowa Student Aid Commission. Public colleges and universities must submit program-level data - including costs, completion rates, graduate earnings, and job placement - to the Commission for public publication. Institutions failing to comply may lose eligibility for state financial aid programs, though federal aid remains unaffected. The bill directly affects public colleges, students seeking program transparency, and state agencies managing education data.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HR 109: A resolution honoring the Jordan House Museum for more than 180 years of historical service to the people of Iowa.

This resolution (HR 109) formally honors the Jordan House Museum in West Des Moines, Iowa, for its 180+ years of historical service. It recognizes the museum's significance as a preserved 1850 Victorian home, an Underground Railroad site led by abolitionist James C. Jordan, and a center for educating the public about African American, Indigenous, and early Iowa history. The resolution directs copies to be sent to Iowa's congressional delegation, local historical societies, and national institutions like the Smithsonian museums. It is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SF 2055: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa rules of criminal procedure including commitment hearings following an acquittal based on insanity.

SF 2055 amends Iowa's criminal procedure rules to change how courts assess whether a defendant acquitted by reason of insanity should remain in a secure facility. It requires courts to consider multiple factors beyond the absence of recent dangerous acts - including the original offense, behavioral history, mental health status, substance use history, and how the defendant functions in structured settings - when determining ongoing risk. This applies directly to individuals who have been found not guilty due to insanity but may still pose a danger. The revised rules must be submitted to the legislative council for review by October 14, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SF 2150: A bill for an act relating to a pregnant minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of certain medical care.

This bill allows pregnant minors in Iowa to consent to prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal medical care if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian isn't reasonably available. It applies directly to minors seeking such care from specific healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. The bill clarifies that providers must still obtain the minor's informed consent for this care, and it does not change existing duties for healthcare professionals. The measure focuses on expanding access to essential pregnancy-related medical services for minors in situations without parental support.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HF 797: A bill for an act relating to national wild turkey federation special registration plates, providing fees, and making appropriations.

HF 797 creates special "National Wild Turkey Federation" license plates for Iowa vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, applicants pay a one-time $25 fee for standard letter-number plates (or $50 total for personalized plates), plus an annual $10 fee on top of regular registration. All fees collected are directed to the state's general fund and then allocated to the Department of Natural Resources to provide grants specifically for wild turkey habitat conservation and hunting programs. Priority for these grants goes to Iowa chapters of nonprofits focused on wild turkey conservation and increasing hunter participation. The bill ensures the Department of Transportation cannot require a minimum number of plate orders before issuing the special plates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Bill results