HF 2717 defines "major rules" as those with significant costs ($200k+ annual or $1M+ over 5 years), adverse economic impacts, or Clean Air Act changes. It requires state agencies to classify proposed rules as "major" and provide detailed regulatory analyses covering costs, benefits, alternatives, and impacts on businesses and communities. The bill also mandates that the Legislative Services Agency conduct its own review of major rules, including cost assessments for regulated entities and state revenue effects. This procedural change affects how Iowa agencies develop regulations and directly impacts businesses, local governments, and individuals subject to new rules. The bill is pending in the 2026 legislative session.
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.
This bill imposes a 15% annual tax on the endowment value exceeding $250 million for Iowa public universities (governed by the state board of regents) and accredited private colleges. The tax revenue from public institutions funds Iowa’s workforce grant incentive program, while private colleges’ tax revenue supports a new "high-wage and high-demand jobs" account within the tuition grants fund. This account supplements tuition grants for students enrolled in private colleges studying in fields identified as high-wage and high-demand by the workforce development board. The bill also limits management fees on endowments to 1% of endowment value annually.
SF 2085 regulates "event-driven contracts" - financial bets on specific events like sports outcomes or elections traded on digital markets. It requires these markets to obtain a $10 million initial permit and pay $100,000 annually to operate in Iowa. A 20% tax is imposed on the market's "adjusted revenues" (total fees minus payouts, weighted by Iowa trader participation), with tax revenue deposited into the state general fund. The bill also adjusts Iowa income tax rules to treat these contracts differently from federal tax treatment, excluding them from certain federal tax calculations. It explicitly excludes existing systems like horse racing wagering (Chapter 99D), fantasy sports (Chapter 99E), and sports betting (Chapter 99F).
HF 2011 imposes new taxes on alternative nicotine products (like nicotine pouches or gums) and vapor products (including e-cigarettes and vaping devices), with the revenue funding the new Iowa Cancer Research Fund. The bill directly affects businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell these products by requiring them to pay additional taxes. The tax revenue will be deposited into a separate fund managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which cannot be used for general state expenses. Funds from this account will only support cancer research in Iowa starting July 1, 2027, and must be distributed through a formal application process developed by the department.
HF 2240, the "Tax the Endowments Act," imposes an annual tax of 7.1% on the endowment value exceeding $500 million held by Iowa public universities (governed by the state board of regents) and accredited private colleges. The tax revenue is directed to two specific programs: funds from public institutions support workforce grant programs, while funds from private institutions supplement tuition grants for students in high-wage, high-demand majors. The bill also limits institutions to charging no more than 5% on gift proceeds and 1% annual fees on endowment management. It directly affects large Iowa colleges with substantial endowments, redirecting tax revenue to workforce development and targeted student financial aid.
SF 85 creates a state health equity program and fund to reimburse providers for menstrual and post-menstrual health services not covered by insurance. It directly affects uninsured patients and qualifying healthcare providers who treat conditions like endometriosis, menopause, fibroids, and incontinence. The program requires reimbursement within 10 days of billing (if the patient is uninsured or the service isn’t covered), caps administrative costs at 4% of funds, and uses state revenue previously spent on genitourinary agents for public employees. The fund is replenished annually and operates as the "payor of last resort" for eligible covered services meeting medical standards.
SF 613 primarily modifies Iowa's gambling regulations and associated funding mechanisms. It adjusts how fees are calculated for racetrack and gambling structure licensees and increases annual license fees for excursion gambling boats. The bill also reallocates sports wagering revenue, creating a new Iowa Horse Racing Fund from simulcast wagering taxes to support the horse racing industry under federal law. It further clarifies funding for gaming enforcement and makes an appropriation to the public safety equipment fund. These changes directly affect gambling operators, the horse racing sector, and state revenue distribution.
SF 625 modifies Iowa's gambling tax revenue allocation. It directs $8 million annually from sports wagering receipts to the public safety equipment fund starting July 1, 2026, for enforcement activities like boat and racetrack inspections. The bill also establishes a gaming enforcement revolving fund to cover direct costs for criminal investigation agents, adjusts regulatory fees based on prior-year unspent funds, and creates an Iowa horse racing fund to distribute tax revenue from simulcast horse races to counties and the commission. These changes affect gambling licensees through fee adjustments and ensure specific tax revenues fund public safety and horse racing operations.
This bill clarifies how "units sold" are measured for cigarette and tobacco tax purposes in Iowa. It defines "units sold" as individual cigarette packs bearing the state excise stamp (for retail packs) or roll-your-own tobacco containers where tax is due under Chapter 453A. The change ensures tax revenue is calculated based on actual taxed products, not unmeasured sales. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.