HSB 332 focuses on modernizing Iowa's emergency telephone systems, specifically by facilitating the transition to next generation 911 (NG911). It temporarily adjusts the allocation of emergency communications service surcharge funds, decreasing the percentage distributed to joint 911 service boards from 60% to 50% until June 30, 2029. The bill also expands reimbursement eligibility for various NG911 network providers and updates rules for local exchange service providers sharing subscriber information. Additionally, it mandates a study by the department of homeland security and emergency management on the concept of "public safety answering point managed services." These changes aim to implement federal NG911 requirements and enhance emergency communication infrastructure.
SF 622 modifies several state economic development and tax credit programs managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. It directly affects developers, investors, and communities seeking financial assistance or tax credits for infrastructure, redevelopment, tourism, and historic preservation projects. The bill streamlines the administration and review processes for brownfield, grayfield, and redevelopment tax credits, centralizing some functions within the economic development authority. It also adjusts eligibility requirements for the historic preservation tax credit, particularly for single-family residential projects. Additionally, the bill modifies how review committees are appointed for community attraction and sports tourism programs and removes a section regarding required benefits for certain tourism program applicants.
This bill addresses several areas under the Department of Health and Human Services, primarily focusing on administrative services organizations and child foster care. It includes employees of administrative services organizations in a specific public employment category and prevents their staff from serving as advocates for involuntarily hospitalized patients. The bill also updates child foster care provisions, assigning licensed foster parents (licensees) decision-making authority to apply the "reasonable and prudent parent standard" for children in their care. Additionally, it updates definitions to explicitly include licensed relatives and "fictive kin" as child foster care providers and defines "fictive kin" and "foster family home."
This bill establishes the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund to provide financial assistance to Iowa nonprofit organizations. These organizations support large tourism-oriented events, such as athletic contests, conventions, music, and art festivals, that generate significant economic impact. The program offers grants to help cover costs associated with bidding for, planning, and conducting these events. To qualify, organizations must demonstrate the event's economic impact and provide matching funds, with an initial appropriation of $15 million from the sports wagering receipts fund.
SF 96 allows eligible volunteer emergency services providers to request a reduction in property taxes and special assessments on their homesteads. To qualify, a volunteer must have served for at least five years, earn under $5,000 annually from their volunteer service, be in good standing, and reside in the service area. Volunteers submit a petition to their county board of supervisors, which reviews the request and can approve an abatement unless a local taxing authority objects. The abatement can be up to 10% of applicable taxes and special assessments, not exceeding $500 per year. For volunteers with ten or more years of service, this benefit can continue for life under certain conditions.
This bill imposes new taxes on specific nicotine and non-nicotine products sold in Iowa. It establishes a tax of $1.15 per vapor cartridge and 6.8 cents per nicotine pouch. Additionally, a 15% tax is placed on the retail sales price of vapor products requiring e-liquids and e-liquids sold separately. The revenue generated from these new taxes will be directed to a newly created Iowa cancer research fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, to support cancer research within the state. Disbursements from this fund are set to begin on July 1, 2026.
This bill updates Iowa law regarding special vehicle registration for military service awards and veterans' organizations. It shifts the recognition of military awards, such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, from dedicated special license plates to specialized decals that can be affixed to existing special plates, with a ten-dollar fee for a pair of decals. The legislation also expands the types of nonprofit veterans' organizations eligible to create and issue their own vehicle registration plate decals, specifically including those exempt under federal tax code 501(c)(19). The Department of Transportation will provide options for applicants who previously ordered the older special plates.
This bill establishes a new specialty business court in Iowa to handle complex commercial disputes involving various organizations, such as corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. This court would have statewide jurisdiction, concurrent with existing district courts, over specific types of cases. These include derivative actions, disputes over an organization's internal affairs or governance, and certain contract or securities-related actions where the amount in controversy often exceeds $10 million or involves "qualified transactions" worth at least $1 million. However, it generally excludes cases involving governmental entities or claims for personal injury or death, unless all parties agree to proceed in the business court.
HSB 222 proposes to expand the locations where raw milk producers can distribute raw milk and associated products directly to individuals. Currently, distribution is primarily limited to the producer's dairy farm. This bill would allow distribution at farmers markets and grocery stores, defining these as "distribution points." Raw milk producers would be required to make summaries of animal health tests available at these distribution points upon request. Additionally, at the dairy farm, producers must provide access to detailed health records, including coliform count, standard plate count, and antibiotic administration for their dairy animals. Containers used for distribution must also be labeled and sanitized.
SSB 1229 aims to exclude the amount of certain taxes from the interchange fees charged by payment card networks on electronic payment transactions. The bill requires payment card networks to deduct the tax amount from the interchange fee calculation at the time of settlement or rebate a proportionate amount to the seller. If a seller cannot transmit the tax amount at the point of sale, the network must credit the seller's account upon proof. Payment card networks that violate these provisions face a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation, which can be enforced by the state or through a private action.
SF 317 increases the annual registration fee for individuals listed on the sex offender registry. Currently, these individuals pay $25 annually to the sheriff of their principal residence county. This bill raises that annual fee to $50, effective for their first required in-person appearance after July 1, 2025. Sheriffs will continue to collect these fees and retain the discretion to allow payment over time, in installments, or waive the fee if the person is unable to pay. The collected fees are used to help cover the costs associated with sex offender registration duties.
SF 219 introduces a new annual fee for owners of forest and fruit-tree reservations in Iowa, starting January 1, 2026. These reservations are currently exempt from property tax. The fee structure varies based on the reservation's location relative to the owner's homestead. Owners will pay $2 per acre if the reservation is in the same county as their homestead, or $3 per acre if it's in a contiguous county. For other reservations, including those within city limits, the fee will be a rate calculated annually by the Department of Management, with all fees deposited into the county general fund.
