This Iowa bill (HSB 574) simplifies vehicle registration plate requirements. It allows school buses, transit buses, and certain older vehicles (1948 model year or older) to display only one plate instead of two, with the second plate kept in the vehicle. The bill also introduces annual validation stickers to replace new plates for most vehicles during renewal, reducing paperwork. Additionally, it permits replica/street rod vehicle owners to display period-appropriate plates alongside current registration. These changes primarily affect vehicle owners, transit operators, and school bus services by streamlining registration administration.
HF 2073 requires that for candidates running for offices with the authority to propose, approve, levy, or vote on taxes, their political party name must appear directly after their name on the ballot in at least six-point type. This applies specifically to partisan races involving tax authority, such as state legislature or local government roles that handle tax decisions. The bill also allows for party abbreviations on the ballot, provided both the full name and abbreviation are listed in the voter instructions. It directly affects voters by changing ballot presentation for these specific offices and candidates seeking those positions. The law aims to provide clearer information about candidates' party affiliations in tax-related elections.
This Iowa bill (SSB 3085) regulates how private businesses handle biometric data - such as fingerprints, facial scans, or voice recordings - of individuals. It requires private entities to create public retention policies (capping data storage at 3 years), obtain written consent before collecting data, and prohibit selling or profiting from such data. Businesses must also secure biometric data using industry-standard protections equivalent to those for passwords. The law excludes employer use of employee biometric data and imposes escalating civil penalties: $1,000 for a first violation, up to $10,000 for repeated violations.
SF 2155 reclassifies misoprostol, mifepristone, and methotrexate as Schedule III controlled substances in Iowa. This would make distributing or dispensing these medications a class C felony, punishable by fines between $1,000 and $50,000. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and anyone involved in supplying these medications. It changes the legal status of these drugs from non-controlled to controlled substances with specific criminal penalties. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.
This bill requires manufacturers of mRNA and DNA-based vaccines to conduct safety studies on transmissibility, DNA contamination, and shedding before distributing them in Iowa. Distributors who provide vaccines posing unreasonable public health risks (as defined by the FDA) face $1,000 fines per violation and potential licensing penalties. It also removes liability immunity for manufacturers if a vaccine’s design defect causes injury or death. The Department of Inspections must create enforcement rules under this law. The bill directly affects vaccine manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers handling these vaccines within Iowa.
SF 2111 requires Iowa's Department of Natural Resources to develop a statewide resilience plan by December 2027, coordinating with state agencies like transportation, homeland security, and agriculture. The plan must include a risk assessment covering flooding, water supply changes, and other natural hazards; an inventory of critical assets (like infrastructure, schools, and natural resources); and a prioritization system for resilience projects. It mandates regular updates and biennial reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2029, tracking progress on reducing risks to communities and infrastructure. This bill directly affects state agencies responsible for planning, local governments implementing projects, and communities facing climate-related hazards.
HF 2052 allows Iowa school districts to partner with community-based preschool providers (like local daycares or non-profits) under Chapter 28E agreements. It requires school districts to enter these agreements with any community provider that requests one, enabling them to provide preschool instruction as part of the state's voluntary program for four-year-olds. The bill specifically prohibits these agreements from limiting the number of eligible children who can receive instruction through community providers. This expands access to preschool options for families by ensuring school districts cannot restrict participation with community-based providers. The policy directly affects school districts, community preschool providers, and families seeking early education for four-year-olds.
SF 2163 increases penalties for falsely reporting criminal acts to police or fire departments. It makes knowingly reporting false information about serious crimes - like forcible felonies, terrorism, or violent offenses - a class "D" felony, and upgrades malicious prosecution charges (continuing false claims after being proven wrong) to an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill also adds that false reports causing serious injury or death become a class "C" felony. Penalties include up to two years in jail and fines between $855 and $8,540 for the upgraded offenses. This directly affects individuals who make false reports to public safety agencies.
This bill requires businesses selling hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses in Iowa to display voter registration forms at their locations and offer them to customers purchasing a license. License agents cannot assist customers in completing forms or collect completed forms. The bill clarifies these businesses are not considered official voter registration agencies under Iowa law. It directly affects license sellers at these locations but does not change voter registration procedures.
This bill removes Iowa's requirement for students to provide proof of specific vaccinations to enroll in public or private elementary and secondary schools. It eliminates mandates for immunizations against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, and chickenpox, as well as hepatitis B for children born after 1994 and meningococcal disease for grades 7 and 12. The bill also strikes related provisions requiring schools to provide exemption information and parents to submit immunization records when placing children in private instruction. These changes apply directly to students, parents, and schools across Iowa.
HF 2167 establishes a state program to help landowners create buffer strips - permanent vegetation along rivers, streams, and other waterways - to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality. Landowners who enroll in the program will work with the state's soil conservation division to establish and maintain these buffer strips, sharing costs and potentially receiving compensation for income lost during their first year of enrollment. The program is funded by a $5 million annual appropriation from the state general fund, starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, managed through a dedicated fund under the division's control.
This bill creates a new licensing pathway for entities to operate pari-mutuel wagering on telecast dog races (without requiring live races at the facility), subject to specific rules. It requires applicants to have agreements with the Iowa horsemen’s association for source market fees and mandates annual audits. A 2% tax applies to wagering over $25 million annually on telecast races, with revenue split between the horse racing fund and the gaming commission. The license fee structure is set by the commission, and the bill takes effect July 1, 2027. It directly affects gambling operators, the Iowa horsemen’s association, and the gaming commission.
