SF 2101 requires Iowa gambling and sports wagering licensees to distribute at least 3% of gambling game receipts and 0.75% of sports wagering net receipts for nonprofit purposes (like education, charity, or civic projects). It mandates that these funds be allocated proportionally to Iowa counties based on where contributors reside, using data from player rewards programs. Licensees must report contributor locations to the Department of Revenue, which calculates each county’s share; if a county receives less than 3% or no nonprofit applies, funds may be held for up to three years before being transferred to a county endowment fund. The bill applies to receipts collected in fiscal years starting after its effective date.
SF 2080 requires Iowa school districts to allow Area Education Agency (AEA) employees who provide educational services to students to access relevant school district records. This directly affects AEA staff (such as special education providers) and school districts, ensuring AEA employees can access necessary student information to deliver effective services. The bill mandates that school districts permit this access when needed for educational programs, and resolves disputes by requiring districts to comply if either the AEA's special education director or the school district's special education director directs it. It removes barriers to information sharing while maintaining oversight through designated education leadership. The policy change focuses on enabling coordinated student support without expanding access beyond what is necessary for service delivery.
This bill requires Iowa public universities and private colleges participating in the state's tuition grants program to waive tuition and mandatory fees for education students during their student teaching semester. It directly affects teacher education students in their final year of training, who must complete a full-time, supervised teaching experience under a licensed instructor. The key provision mandates institutions to adopt this waiver policy as a condition of their participation in the Iowa tuition grants program, defining "student teaching" as the final-year clinical teaching experience. The policy applies only to the specific semester of student teaching, not the entire degree program.
SF 2072 prohibits state entities and school districts in Iowa from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or curricula covering specific "defined concepts." It requires termination of employees who violate these prohibitions, revocation of professional licenses for licensed individuals, and imposes civil fines of $50,000 or $100,000 on affected schools or state entities based on their budget size. The bill allows students, alumni, or employees to sue school districts for violations, with prevailing parties triggering these penalties. It directly affects school staff, state employees, and licensed professionals (like teachers or attorneys) who work in programs deemed non-compliant.
SF 2065 amends Iowa law to increase penalties for purchasing sex services. It classifies buying sex from an adult as a class D felony (previously an aggravated misdemeanor), and buying sex from someone under 18 or someone believed to be under 18 (including undercover officers posing as minors) as a class C felony. The bill directly affects individuals who purchase sexual services, with harsher penalties for transactions involving minors or minors posing as minors. This is a policy change to strengthen criminal penalties for clients of commercial sex, not a new prohibition on the act itself.
This bill requires a court hearing before a magistrate for individuals on felony probation or parole who are arrested for new felony charges. Currently, such people could be released under pretrial guidelines without an immediate court appearance, but this bill mandates that they must have their initial hearing first. The key change ensures that people under court supervision for prior felony convictions cannot be released on pretrial bond without a prompt judicial review. This applies specifically to new felony charges while the person is already on probation or parole supervision.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa that would remove courts' power to review whether state laws comply with the Iowa Constitution. It would replace the current constitutional language to state that "the judicial power shall not include the power of judicial review" for most laws, except for the Supreme Court's review of legislative apportionment plans. If approved, the amendment would require ratification by voters after being referred to the next general assembly. The change would directly affect all Iowa courts by preventing them from striking down laws as unconstitutional.
This bill proposes adding a new section to Iowa's Constitution protecting an individual's right to refuse any medical procedure, treatment, vaccine, or preventive care without interference. It specifically states that public accommodations (like businesses or services) cannot deny equal access or liberty based on someone exercising this right to refuse medical care. If passed, the amendment would require voter approval after being referred to the next state legislature. The change would directly affect all Iowans regarding their medical choices and how public spaces may interact with those choices.
HF 2172 modifies testing requirements for students enrolled in Iowa's education savings account program (which allows families to use public funds for private school tuition). The bill gives families a choice: students must take either all state and federally required assessments or standardized national tests in math and English language arts during the same grade levels as federally mandated tests. Results from whichever test option is chosen must be shared with parents and reported to the Iowa Department of Education. This change updates current law, which previously required all students in the program to take every state and federal assessment.
HF 2175 makes it a class C felony to buy or sell a person, punishable by up to 10 years in prison or fines up to $13,660. The law specifically exempts surrogate mother arrangements where the surrogate receives no money or other value for agreeing to carry a child and give up all parental rights to the intended parents. This bill directly affects individuals involved in commercial surrogacy arrangements and anyone attempting to buy or sell people, while clarifying that non-monetary surrogacy agreements remain legal. The key provision prohibits financial transactions involving people but explicitly allows surrogacy without payment to the surrogate.
HF 2169 requires the Iowa Finance Authority to review the household income limit for the FirstHome program, which helps Iowans buy their first home. The review must assess whether the current income threshold provides sufficient assistance to in-state homebuyers and serves as an effective incentive for out-of-state residents to move to Iowa, while also analyzing how raising the limit would impact program participation. The authority must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 11, 2027. This bill does not change the program immediately but sets a process to evaluate potential adjustments to the income eligibility criteria.
HF 2168 would impose a 50% tax on money transfers (remittance transfers) made within Iowa using cash, money orders, or similar physical payment methods. This tax applies only to transfers initiated with physical instruments, not those funded from bank accounts. The remittance provider collects the tax from the sender and remits it monthly to Iowa's Department of Revenue. All tax revenue will go to Iowa's general fund, effective July 1, 2026.
