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Iowa Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 14,542 Active 9,809 In committee 9,342 Passed 1,318 Signed 1,696 Failed 1,705

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SF 2144: A bill for an act relating to school district general fund flexibility accounts by expanding eligible funding sources and modifying expenditure approval requirements.

SF 2144 allows Iowa school districts to transfer unspent teacher salary supplement funds (calculated under section 257.10(9)) into their general fund flexibility accounts after July 1, 2026, if all original funding requirements are met. This expands the list of eligible funding sources for flexibility accounts beyond current options. The bill removes the requirement for school boards to hold public hearings before approving expenditures from these accounts, though it retains board resolution approval and reporting requirements to the Department of Education. The policy directly affects Iowa public school districts managing their general fund flexibility accounts.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HSB 563: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, budgets, and authority, by modifying provisions relating to the assessment and taxation of property, funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, the election of certain county officers, urban renewal areas and urban revitalization areas, establishing a rent reimbursement program, establishing a program for certain first-time homebuyers, establishing a local government shared-services grant fund, making appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill establishes new limits on local government property tax collections and reserve funds. It requires cities, counties, and other local entities (excluding school districts) to cap unassigned general fund reserves at 10% of budgeted spending and sets a maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new property valuation growth. These rules apply to budgets certified for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, and will be verified through annual audits. The bill also modifies related tax assessment, budgeting, and reporting requirements for local governments.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2208: A bill for an act related to the meaning of residential property for purposes of property taxation.

HF 2208 changes how certain single-family homes are taxed in Iowa starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects property owners who individually own more than ten single-family homes, reclassifying those homes from residential to commercial property for tax purposes. The bill defines a "single-family home" as a parcel with one dwelling unit used for human habitation. This reclassification means these properties will be subject to commercial property tax rates instead of residential rates. The change aims to adjust tax classification based on ownership scale rather than property use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HSB 545: A bill for an act requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study regarding the reintroduction of VEISHEA at Iowa state university, and including effective date provisions.

HSB 545 requires Iowa's State Board of Regents to study whether reintroducing VEISHEA - a university-wide celebration discontinued in 2014 - would be practical and beneficial for Iowa State University. The study must assess feasibility and potential benefits, with the board submitting findings to education committee chairs before November 2026. This bill does not authorize the event's return but mandates an evaluation. It directly affects the State Board of Regents and Iowa State University's planning processes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2197: A bill for an act relating to franchisee compensation and time allowances for motor vehicle warranty services, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2197 changes how franchisers (like car manufacturers) compensate franchisees (dealerships) for motor vehicle warranty work. It requires franchisers to pay franchisees at least the retail rates they charge customers for parts, labor, and diagnostics, provided those rates are reasonable, and mandates franchisees to provide an itemized list of their rates. The bill removes the current requirement for franchisers to provide a schedule of compensation and time allowances, instead requiring franchisees to perform warranty services in a reasonable timeframe. This applies to motor vehicle franchises entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2198: A bill for an act relating to the disclosure of tax incentives provided to web search portal businesses and data center businesses, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2198 requires web search portal businesses and data center businesses in Iowa to register with the Department of Revenue and file annual reports starting January 31, 2026. These reports must detail purchases of exempt property, backup power fuel, and electricity used for qualifying purposes. Beginning January 31, 2027, the Department will estimate the tax savings for these businesses based on their reports, and both the business name and estimated tax savings will become public records. The bill also mandates that the Economic Development Authority post all tax incentives provided to these businesses in a searchable public database within 30 days of the law's effective date. This law directly affects businesses receiving sales and use tax incentives under Iowa's tax code.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2210: A bill for an act relating to beneficial use in the context of water allocation.

HF 2210 amends Iowa's water allocation law by removing the existing definition of "beneficial use" and requiring the Department of Natural Resources to determine beneficial use on a case-by-case basis when reviewing water permit applications. The bill mandates that permits for water diversion, storage, or withdrawal must be approved or denied within 90 days (or 30 days for renewals), with the department considering public health, safety, and conservation. It also requires all new permits issued after July 1, 1986, to include mandatory conservation practices and emergency measures. The bill directly affects water users applying for permits, shifting decision-making from categorical rules to individualized assessments by the department.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2207: A bill for an act relating to the purchase of single-family residences by certain business entities.

HF 2207 restricts private equity companies from purchasing single-family homes in Iowa during the first 75 days a home is listed for sale. The 75-day period begins when the home is first listed through a real estate broker, multiple listing service, or public online platform. After this period, companies must submit a sworn affidavit to the county recorder confirming the purchase occurred after the 75 days or is exempt under other law, and the county recorder cannot record the deed without it. The law also prohibits companies from evading these rules by using subsidiaries, affiliates, or agents.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2195: A bill for an act relating to the labelling of ballots by county commissioners of elections.

HF 2195 requires Iowa county election commissioners to label every ballot cast in primary and general elections with the specific method used to vote. The label must distinguish between in-person voting on election day, in-person voting before election day, and mail voting - separating standard mail ballots from those cast by military personnel or overseas citizens under federal law. This policy change aims to provide transparency about voting methods by mandating standardized ballot labeling across all counties. The state election commissioner will develop implementing rules under Chapter 17A of Iowa law. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the State Government committee on January 29, 2026.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2206: A bill for an act relating to the manufacture, delivery, and possession of marijuana, the licensure of retail marijuana, providing fees, including excise taxes, establishing funds, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2206 reclassifies marijuana offenses in Iowa, reducing penalties for possession while maintaining criminal penalties for larger quantities. It establishes specific penalties based on amount: possession of 4 ounces or less is now a simple misdemeanor (or a $100 civil penalty for under 1/2 ounce, with community service for minors), while amounts over 12 ounces become serious misdemeanors and over 2 kilograms are felonies. The bill also adds enhanced penalties for distributing marijuana near schools or parks. It directly affects anyone possessing or distributing marijuana in Iowa, with key changes found in sections 124F.2 and 124.401G. The bill does not legalize marijuana but modifies how possession is punished.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2205: A bill for an act relating to the prescribing, ordering, dispensing, and administering authority of pharmacists and practitioners.

HF 2205 prohibits state licensing boards and employers from restricting pharmacists or practitioners (like doctors, nurses, or dentists) from using their professional judgment to prescribe, order, dispense, or administer medications within their legally defined scope of practice. It specifically bans any rule, policy, or contract term that discourages using a medication or treatment based on the professional's best judgment. Employers cannot enforce such restrictions or use them for disciplinary action, and practitioners following this judgment cannot face license discipline. The bill directly affects healthcare providers by protecting their clinical decision-making autonomy from workplace barriers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2212: A bill for an act establishing a state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals.

HF 2212 establishes a new state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals in Iowa, directly affecting workers providing personal care, independent living support, and basic health services in nursing facilities, homes, or childcare centers. The bill sets a $20.00 hourly minimum wage for these workers starting July 1, 2026, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment at the same employer. This rate supersedes the federal minimum wage when higher, applying to defined roles like home health aides, certified nurse aides, and direct support professionals. The law amends existing wage provisions to specifically address direct care workers' compensation, with enforcement under Iowa’s labor laws.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment