Iowa Bills

SF 2099 strengthens Iowa's animal cruelty laws by redefining "animal torture" to include specific acts like crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, or impaling animals, causing serious injury or death. It increases the penalty for first-time animal torture from an aggravated misdemeanor to a class "D" felony (up to 5 years in prison and a $1,025-$10,245 fine). For repeat offenders with prior convictions for related offenses - such as animal abuse, neglect, bestiality, or prohibited animal contests - the penalty escalates to a class "C" felony (up to 10 years and a $1,370-$13,660 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally inflict severe pain or death on animals through these specified methods.

HF 2064 sets a $5 fee (plus processing fees) for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for residents who served on active duty in the U.S. military and were disabled during service. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to verify applicants' veteran disability status with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also mandates refunds for existing license holders who paid more than $7 total, returning the excess amount within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This affects disabled veteran residents seeking lifetime fur harvesting privileges, adjusting both new fees and correcting past overpayments.

HF 2057 establishes a permanent annual funding stream for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. It appropriates $1 per Iowa resident (based on U.S. Census population estimates), capped at $3 million yearly, from the state general fund. The funds must be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research - including lab work and clinical trials - prohibiting administrative costs or unrelated activities. The state board of regents must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were spent to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects Iowa residents (through funding) and the University of Iowa's pediatric cancer research programs.

HF 92 modifies Iowa's urban renewal law by changing which property tax revenue funds urban renewal projects. It specifies that taxes for emergency medical services (under Chapter 422D) are excluded from the revenue pool used for urban renewal financing and low/moderate income housing assistance. The bill ensures that only certain property taxes - excluding those for emergency medical services, school levies, and other specific programs - are allocated to the municipality's special fund for urban renewal projects and housing. This change applies to property taxes due in fiscal years starting July 1, 2026.

SF 2479 is a budget bill that allocates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to various government agencies responsible for administration, regulation, and public services in Iowa. The legislation provides specific dollar amounts for salaries, utilities, and operations for departments including the Department of Administrative Services, the Office of the Auditor of State, and the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. It also establishes rules for how certain funds, such as those for workers' compensation and utility costs, must be managed and carried over to future years if not fully spent. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Inspections submit a report on fraud investigations in public assistance programs by December 1, 2026. Ultimately, this measure authorizes the spending necessary to keep these state offices running and performing their regulatory duties.

This bill creates a new fund to support nuclear energy workforce training at state universities, requiring nuclear power facilities in Iowa to contribute a portion of their tax savings to it. In exchange for these contributions, the bill allows nuclear facilities to receive exemptions and refunds on sales and use taxes for equipment and services used in building or maintaining their plants. Facilities must register with the state, sign an agreement detailing their financial commitment, and submit annual reports to verify they are meeting their obligations. If a facility fails to make the required contributions, it must repay the tax exemptions and refunds it claimed for that year. The legislation also defines specific nuclear components and structures that qualify for these tax benefits and establishes reporting requirements for the state board of regents.

This bill allocates state funds to the Economic Development Authority and related agencies to support business growth, workforce development, and tourism initiatives for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The legislation sets specific goals for the authority to expand the state economy and population while prioritizing the recruitment, expansion, and retention of businesses, as well as fostering entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships. Appropriated money can be used for grants, loans, and marketing efforts, with restrictions prohibiting funds from being used for geothermal snow-melting systems and requiring that jobs created with state assistance be filled by individuals legally authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, the bill provides specific funding for the World Food Prize, the tourism office, and the Iowa Arts Council, while requiring annual reports on tourism activities to measure their economic impact.

This bill modifies various aspects of Iowa's education system, with a primary focus on updating regulations for charter schools, including their approval processes, funding, and operational requirements. It designates the state board of education and the University of Northern Iowa as the sole entities authorized to approve charter schools, while also clarifying definitions for terms like "public school district" and "founding group." The legislation mandates that schools provide parents with specific information regarding immunization exemptions and requires the development of state-wide resources to support mathematics proficiency and civics education. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for teacher training, preschool programs, and funding allocations, aiming to streamline oversight and standardize educational services across different school types.

This bill allows existing partnerships in Iowa to legally transform into other business structures, such as limited liability companies or corporations, without needing to dissolve and re-form the entity. The process requires unanimous partner approval and ensures the new organization type permits such a conversion under its own rules. While the text outlines definitions and initial requirements, the bill was ultimately withdrawn from consideration on April 27, 2026, and did not become law.

This bill proposes to set the fee for lifetime fur harvester licenses at five dollars for Iowa residents who served in the U.S. armed forces and were disabled during their service. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to create a specific application for these veterans and directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to help verify their eligibility. The legislation defines "disabled" as being entitled to a service-connected rating under federal law. Although the bill was introduced, it was later withdrawn and replaced by another measure, meaning it did not become law.

This bill updates Iowa's alcoholic beverage control laws to allow out-of-state wine manufacturers to obtain class "A" wine permits without being Iowa residents. It requires manufacturers, distillers, and importers to obtain annual certificates of compliance with a $200 fee and mandates electronic submission of applications and business distribution lists. The legislation specifically creates a new category for nonnative wine manufacturers, permitting them to sell wine they personally fermented on out-of-state premises to Iowa permit holders and licensed retailers. Additionally, the bill clarifies that class "A" wine permit holders must only sell wine from manufacturers holding current certificates of compliance and establishes audit and enforcement procedures for nonnative permit holders.

SF 2221 requires Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners to create new teaching certifications (endorsements) for high-need subjects: fine arts, mathematics, and science. These new endorsements would allow teachers to instruct in these specific areas, but applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to qualify. The requirement to hold a bachelor's degree and the entire new endorsement system will expire on July 1, 2030. This bill directly affects teachers seeking certification in these subjects and school districts needing qualified staff.