Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SR 102: A resolution honoring and congratulating barbecue chef and pitmaster Thyron Mathews for his appearance as a competitor on the reality television cooking competition BBQ Brawl.

This is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) introduced by the Iowa Senate. It formally honors Thyron Mathews, a barbecue chef and pitmaster from Oelwein, Iowa, for his appearance as a competitor on the TV show "BBQ Brawl" and his culinary career achievements. The resolution recognizes his background, his success with his catering business (including Iowa State Fair awards and winning "Barbecue Showdown" on Netflix), and his community contributions. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Senate's congratulations.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SF 2011: A bill for an act relating to mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal offenses, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 2011) changes parole eligibility requirements for specific criminal convictions in Iowa. It requires individuals convicted of certain offenses - including forcible felonies involving dangerous weapons, habitual offenders, methamphetamine crimes involving minors, child endangerment, and repeat domestic abuse assault - to serve a minimum of half their sentence before becoming eligible for parole (instead of shorter current terms). The bill directly affects people sentenced under these specific criminal provisions. These changes modify existing parole rules without altering the underlying conviction penalties or sentence lengths. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Subcommittee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SJR 2003: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care.

This bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution recognizing reproductive freedom as a fundamental right. It would protect services including contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and miscarriage management, stating the state cannot interfere with these private decisions unless a "compelling state interest" is met using the "least restrictive means." The amendment allows state regulation of abortion after fetal viability but prohibits banning abortions medically necessary to protect a patient's life or health. This would apply to all Iowa residents seeking reproductive care and requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SF 2064: A bill for an act relating to the display of a slow-moving vehicle reflective device on all-terrain vehicles when operated on a highway.

This bill requires all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) operated on Iowa highways to display a slow-moving vehicle reflective device, aligning ATVs with existing motor vehicle safety rules. It directly affects ATV operators who use highways, mandating they equip their vehicles with the reflective device when traveling at 35 MPH or slower. The key provision applies Section 321.383 (requiring reflective devices for off-highway vehicles operating below 35 MPH) specifically to ATVs on highways. Violating this rule results in a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $45 fine.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 20, 2026

HF 357: A bill for an act relating to the acquisition of certain vehicles by a vehicle recycler, and making penalties applicable.

HF 357 requires licensed vehicle recyclers in Iowa to verify there are no liens on a vehicle before purchasing it for scrap or junk. It applies to vehicles 12 model years or older sold for under $1,000. The bill adds a new requirement that recyclers must confirm no lienholder has a security interest in the vehicle, which was not previously mandated. Violating this rule is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 fine.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SF 637: A bill for an act relating to motor vehicle special registration plate decals created by a nonprofit veterans’ organization or associated with military service, and providing fees.

SF 637 allows Iowa veterans' organizations (specifically 501(c)(19) nonprofits) to create and sell special license plate decals featuring military combat badges like the Combat Infantryman Badge. It affects veterans who received these specific U.S. military awards and qualifying veterans' groups. The bill requires organizations to pay a $20 start-up fee per badge type and meet a 250-order minimum before the state issues the decals. Fees collected from plate sales ($10 annually per plate) are directed to the veterans' license fee fund, and surviving spouses of eligible veterans may continue using the special plates.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SF 609: A bill for an act authorizing the abatement of property taxes owed on property owned by the surviving spouse of an emergency services member killed in the line of duty, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill allows the surviving spouse of an emergency services member (including firefighters, police officers, correctional officers, emergency medical providers, and volunteers) killed in the line of duty to request a property tax waiver for their primary residence. To qualify, the spouse must submit a sworn petition with proof of the member’s death being directly caused by a duty-related injury and certification from the member’s agency. The local board of supervisors reviews petitions, and if approved, the tax abatement applies to all eligible property taxes and special assessments for the filing year and potentially future years, subject to ongoing eligibility. The bill also applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2025, and excludes cases involving suicide, intoxication, gross negligence, or the spouse’s contributing actions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 20, 2026

HF 765: A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor.

HF 765 updates the legal definitions for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances that use electric motors. Currently, these devices are defined as having electric motors that produce *less than* 750 watts of power. The bill amends this to specify that their electric motors must produce *not more than* 750 watts. This change clarifies that devices with motors producing exactly 750 watts will now be included under these classifications, rather than being subject to motor vehicle laws.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 16, 2026

HF 2107: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to the department of health and human services for the statewide child care solutions fund program.

HF 2107 appropriates $2.5 million from the state general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding will administer and provide matching state funds to the statewide child care solutions fund program, which matches private donations to expand child care access across Iowa. The program directly affects child care providers and families by increasing available funding for child care services through public-private partnerships. The bill creates no new regulations but allocates existing state funds to support this matching mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 16, 2026

HF 2111: A bill for an act relating to deferred or suspended sentences for cases involving sexual exploitation of a minor.

HF 2111 amends Iowa law to explicitly prohibit courts from deferring or suspending sentences for individuals convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor under Iowa Code section 728.12. The bill directly affects sentencing decisions in cases involving this specific offense, which involves the sexual exploitation of minors. It updates sentencing rules (Section 907.3) to state that courts may not defer judgment or suspend sentences for violations of section 728.12, reinforcing an existing restriction. This change ensures that offenders in these serious cases face immediate sentencing consequences without the option of deferred judgment or suspended sentences. The bill applies to all cases where the underlying offense is defined in section 728.12.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 16, 2026

HF 2105: A bill for an act providing for a study of excess energy production by electric power generating facilities.

HF 2105 directs Iowa's Utilities Commission to study whether electric power facilities regularly produce more energy than needed at specific times of day. If excess energy is found, the Commission must examine if this surplus could be provided free to Iowa residents for personal energy storage. The study and report, including findings and recommendations, must be submitted to the Iowa Legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill does not implement any policy change but requires a factual assessment of potential energy storage opportunities.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 15, 2026

HSB 502: A bill for an act relating to health insurers’ credentialing process.

This bill requires health insurers in Iowa to respond to credentialing requests from physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants within 56 calendar days. If a request is denied, insurers must provide a written explanation. It expands current law by explicitly including all "health care professionals" (as defined by state law) in these requirements, not just physicians. The goal is to streamline the process for providers seeking to join insurer networks and receive reimbursement for patient care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results