SF 2161 defines "coercive control" as a pattern of behavior causing physical, emotional, or psychological harm that unreasonably interferes with someone's free will and personal liberty. It expands the legal definition of domestic abuse to include these controlling tactics, such as financial exploitation, isolation, technology-based harassment, or threats involving children or immigration status. The bill affects individuals in intimate relationships or family/household situations where such control occurs, making protective orders automatically cover coercive control behaviors. This change ensures courts can address psychological and financial abuse as part of domestic abuse cases, without requiring physical assault.
This bill updates Iowa's requirements for publishing official notices related to government proceedings. It mandates that counties, cities, school districts, and other entities publish hearing notices in a newspaper of general circulation (or post them in small communities) at least 4-20 days before the hearing, with specific timeframes varying by jurisdiction. The changes affect local governments, property owners (who receive notices about land assessments), and contractors (who get notice of project requests). Key provisions standardize publication timing and methods, such as requiring notices for compensation commissions to be published 4-20 days before meetings and allowing posting in small cities instead of newspapers. The bill focuses on procedural transparency without altering substantive policy.
This bill allows manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - defined as vehicles powered solely by rechargeable batteries, without internal combustion engines - to be licensed as dealers specifically for their own vehicles. Currently, state law prohibits vehicle manufacturers from owning or operating dealerships, but this bill creates a new exception for BEV makers. The change would let companies like Tesla sell directly to consumers through their own dealerships, rather than relying on third-party dealers. It does not affect dealerships selling conventional vehicles or other vehicle types. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Subcommittee.
HF 409 prohibits hospitals and health care licensing boards in Iowa from asking applicants about past mental illness, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health diagnoses on clinical privilege or license applications. It allows questions only about current, untreated conditions that could impair safe, professional practice. The bill directly affects health care professionals applying for hospital clinical privileges or state licenses. It requires the state department to create rules enforcing these changes, focusing on current safety concerns rather than historical health conditions. The bill is currently under review by the House Health and Human Services subcommittee.
This bill establishes a medical release program for Iowa inmates with terminal illnesses, severe medical conditions, or physical/mental incapacitation that prevents them from performing daily activities. It requires medical documentation from licensed professionals, a risk assessment by the corrections department, and a board review that considers the offense, medical prognosis, and victim input. Approved releases must include supervised care plans and occur within 45 days of petition submission, with public hearings and annual reporting to the legislature. The program directly affects incarcerated individuals facing life-threatening or debilitating health issues who meet specific medical criteria.
HSB 700 prohibits using aircraft tracking data (ADS-B) to calculate, charge, or collect fees for operating aircraft within Iowa. It specifically bans people or companies from collecting or using this data - which shows an aircraft’s location, altitude, and speed - to impose fees on pilots or operators. Violators face penalties under existing fraud laws, ranging from a $105 fine for minor offenses to up to 10 years in jail for large-scale violations. The law takes effect on November 1, 2026.
This bill requires large Iowa businesses (with over $30 million in annual state revenue) to maintain a publicly accessible phone number for consumer inquiries and ensure human representatives are available during posted service hours. It limits automated phone systems to three menu prompts before connecting to a person and bans practices like endless loops or repeated disconnections that delay customer access. Businesses violating the bill face civil penalties set by the insurance director, while consumers can sue for at least $500 per violation plus attorney fees. The law excludes federally regulated entities like banks, airlines, and telecom companies.
This bill allows counties and cities to enter agreements for counties to provide law enforcement services to cities through the sheriff, with compensation capped at 105% of actual costs (itemized for labor, equipment, etc.). It requires small cities (population ≤6,000) to compare costs of maintaining their own police departments versus contracting with counties or other cities, submitting reports annually after 2026. If contracting is cheaper, cities must seek voter approval via ballot measure to switch services, with provisions for employee transfers and hiring preferences. Cities with higher crime rates than the state average may bypass cost comparisons to establish their own departments.
This bill amends Iowa's bottle bill definition to include noncarbonated soft drinks packaged in metal cans and intended for human consumption, similar to existing carbonated beverages. It requires these metal cans to display a refund value and be redeemable under the bottle bill's existing rules. The change directly affects beverage producers and retailers selling noncarbonated soft drinks in metal cans, expanding the scope of containers eligible for redemption. The bill does not alter redemption amounts or create new requirements beyond the definition update. This policy change ensures consistency for metal can containers under Iowa's beverage container redemption program.
SF 2285 creates a tax credit for Iowa disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). It allows these veterans to claim a credit against their individual income tax equal to their annual car registration fee (capped at $100), which is refundable if it exceeds their tax liability. Veterans can choose to receive the refund directly or apply the excess to their next year’s tax bill. The credit applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and is administered by the Iowa Department of Revenue. This bill directly affects eligible disabled veterans who pay car registration fees under Iowa law.
HF 2462 restricts Iowa's National Guard and Civil Air Patrol deployments. It prohibits sending these units into active combat or dangerous military operations abroad unless the U.S. officially declares war specifically to repel an invasion, suppress an insurrection, or enforce federal laws. The bill also requires Iowa's governor to obtain consent from another state's governor before deploying units within that state. These provisions aim to limit state military actions without clear federal war authorization or inter-state agreement, while clarifying they do not affect the governor's existing authority under federal law for defense support roles.
SF 2311 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction - integrated into existing courses - cover specific topics including the Holocaust's causes, history of antisemitism, U.S. military roles in defeating Nazi Germany, and connections to modern discrimination. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics as part of professional development, using resources from approved organizations like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on district compliance to the governor and legislature.
