Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SSB 3054: A bill for an act relating to utility disconnections of gas and electricity services during severe weather.

This bill prohibits Iowa gas and electric utilities from disconnecting service to homes during periods of severe cold or severe hot weather. It directly affects residential customers who rely on these utilities, preventing service shutoffs when extreme temperatures pose health risks. The bill requires the Iowa Utilities Commission to establish specific rules defining "severe cold" and "severe hot" weather, building on existing rules for cold weather. The commission will determine the exact temperature thresholds and conditions under which disconnections are banned. This creates a new policy requirement for utilities to maintain service during extreme weather events.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 27, 2026

HF 2109: A bill for an act relating to the disposition of collected criminal case fines and establishing a victim restitution fund.

HF 2109 redirects 7% of criminal case fines collected within a county to a new victim restitution fund, instead of allocating it to county general funds. The bill establishes this fund in the state treasury, with funds administered by the Department of Justice to cover financial damages victims incur from crimes (like medical costs or lost wages), as defined by existing law. It changes the current 91% to state court administrator and 9% to county funds to an 85% to state, 8% to county, and 7% to the victim fund. Unspent funds in the victim restitution account will carry over annually instead of reverting. This directly affects victims of crime who receive restitution payments and alters how criminal fines are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 27, 2026

HSB 593: A bill for an act relating to the purchase of lottery shares and tickets by a courier service.

HSB 593 defines "courier service" as a for-profit business that purchases, stores, and delivers Iowa lottery shares or tickets to customers physically located in Iowa (excluding tribal lands). It requires written agreements between courier services and retailers to include specific safeguards: verifying customer location and age via software, securely storing tickets until pickup/delivery, implementing responsible gambling controls (like spending limits), prohibiting credit card purchases, and using dedicated terminals. The bill also mandates annual audits of compliance and prohibits retailers from mixing courier service sales with regular lottery sales. This directly affects courier services, retailers, and Iowa residents purchasing lottery items through these services.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SSB 3014: A bill for an act relating to the use of artificial intelligence systems and related software by state agencies for employment and other purposes.

This Iowa bill (SSB 3014) requires state agencies to track and report on artificial intelligence (AI) systems used for employment and public-facing purposes. Agencies must maintain a public inventory of all AI tools - including purpose, use, and data handled - and publish a list of employment-related AI tools within 90 days of use, with annual reports to the legislature. The bill prohibits using AI to alter employee rights, benefits, or job terms (including layoffs, pay cuts, or transferring duties), or to impact collective bargaining agreements. It defines "AI systems" broadly to include tools like machine learning and generative AI, while excluding basic software like spreadsheets.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2059: A bill for an act relating to prohibitions and requirements for state entities concerning certain actions of appointed officers of the executive branch, and making penalties applicable.

This bill expands whistleblower protections to include appointed officers in Iowa's executive branch, shielding them when disclosing violations of law, mismanagement, gross abuse of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial safety risks. It also protects these officers from adverse actions if they refuse to participate in charitable donations. Violations of these provisions would be punishable as a simple misdemeanor (fines up to $855). New appointees must be informed of these rights by the relevant state entity.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2090: A bill for an act relating to school districts, including by modifying provisions related to the executive officers of the boards of directors of school districts and authorizing residents and employees to request audits of school districts.

SF 2090 modifies Iowa school district governance by requiring boards to annually elect a chief executive officer (CEO) who cannot be the superintendent, replacing the current system where the superintendent automatically held this role. It also creates a new process allowing any resident or employee of a school district to request a county auditor to review the district’s financial records if they believe funds are being misused. The bill mandates school boards to include specific safety rules for school buses in reduced visibility and permits employees to use school credit cards for work-related expenses. These changes directly affect school board members, superintendents, employees, and residents by altering leadership structure and increasing financial oversight options.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2109: A bill for an act relating to a review of fire safety code requirements and enforcement mechanisms for basement egress windows.

SF 2109 requires Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to study current fire safety code requirements and enforcement mechanisms for basement egress windows. The study must examine compliance issues and available remedies for property owners or renters facing non-compliant windows, with a final report due to the legislature by January 1, 2027. This bill does not change existing codes or enforcement; it solely mandates a review to inform future policy decisions.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2079: A bill for an act relating to parole eligibility for a person under the age of twenty-one convicted of a class “A” felony and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 2079) increases the age limit for parole eligibility for young offenders convicted of class "A" felonies in Iowa. It raises the cutoff from 18 to 21 years old for two sentencing scenarios: first-degree murder (under §707.2) and all other class "A" felonies. Currently, individuals under 18 convicted of these crimes face life sentences with limited parole options; the bill extends these eligibility provisions to those under 21 at the time of the offense. The change modifies specific sections of Iowa’s sentencing code to adjust when these parole considerations apply.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2112: A bill for an act eliminating provisions relating to raw milk, including the production of raw milk at certain dairies, the manufacture of products using raw milk, and the labeling and distribution of raw milk and manufactured products.

SF 2112 eliminates Iowa's 2023 law (Senate File 315) that permitted raw milk producers to operate under specific conditions. The bill repeals Chapter 195 and related sections, removing legal provisions that allowed raw milk dairies to produce, distribute, or manufacture raw milk products without standard dairy regulations. This directly affects raw milk producers who previously operated under Chapter 195's exemptions. The bill returns regulation of raw milk production and distribution to standard dairy oversight under Chapter 192, requiring pasteurization for consumer sales.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2093: A bill for an act relating to powers and duties applicable to state of disaster emergencies and public health disasters.

SF 2093 modifies Iowa's emergency powers during disaster and public health crises. It requires governors to issue written declarations detailing affected areas and justifications, limiting initial emergencies to 30 days (extendable by 60 days by the governor), with legislative oversight allowing 60-day extensions via concurrent resolution. The bill explicitly prohibits emergency measures that infringe constitutional rights, restrict religious interactions in healthcare, use surveillance tech without consent, deploy drones/AI for enforcement, or limit licensed health professionals' practice. These provisions directly affect governors, the legislature, and public health authorities during declared emergencies.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2102: A bill for an act relating to health care coverage of certain public school district personnel under the state health insurance plan, providing fees, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2102 allows public school district employees and elected officials who are not covered by collective bargaining agreements for health insurance (defined as "nonstate public employees") to enroll in Iowa’s state health insurance plan. School districts must apply for this coverage, pay monthly premiums matching rates for state employees plus administrative fees, and deposit payments into a new trust fund. Unpaid premiums incur interest, and the state may withhold other district funds until payments are made. The bill requires annual reports on coverage costs and enrollment, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2021: A bill for an act relating to the sex offender registry including duration of registration, photograph requirements, and modifications.

This bill (SF 2021) changes Iowa's sex offender registry rules. It requires individuals convicted of a second or subsequent sex offense (including those with expunged prior convictions) to register for life, with no option to apply for removal from the registry. It also mandates that sex offenders update their photographs annually - taken facing the camera with eyes open - while requiring law enforcement to retake blurry or distorted images. Additionally, offenders with any history of sex offense reoffending (including expunged cases) cannot request modifications to their registration requirements. These changes apply directly to individuals already required to register under Iowa's sex offender laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results