HF 2152 repeals Iowa's school tuition organization (STO) tax credit program, which allowed taxpayers to reduce their individual or corporate income tax by 75% of donations to private schools. Starting July 1, 2026, new contributions to STOs will no longer qualify for this credit, and the annual credit limit for 2026 is reduced to $10 million (down from $20 million). The program is fully repealed effective July 1, 2032, ending all future use of the credit. This directly affects Iowa taxpayers and businesses that previously claimed this credit against their state income tax bills.
HF 2192 raises the voter approval threshold for school district bond proposals from 60% to 80% of total votes cast, while maintaining the 60% requirement for other local entities like counties or cities. It also requires school districts to set aside at least 50% of a project's total cost in dedicated funds before holding a bond election, and prohibits a school district from resubmitting a failed bond proposal for four years after a vote rejection. The bill directly affects Iowa school districts seeking to issue bonds for capital projects, such as building or renovating schools. These changes aim to strengthen voter approval requirements and ensure financial commitment before bond elections.
This bill establishes a dedicated "technology reinvestment fund" to finance state IT projects that modernize infrastructure and improve public services. It allocates $17.5 million annually starting in 2026-27 from the general fund, plus $18.27 million for 2025-26 from the Rebuild Iowa fund, specifically for hardware, software, and power systems. Projects must align with state priorities, demonstrate ROI, prioritize rural access, and include sustainability plans, with the Department of Management prioritizing them for the governor’s budget recommendations. The bill also requires annual project status reports to the legislature and includes provisions for background checks on IT staff and restrictions on problematic contract terms.
HF 2057 establishes a permanent annual funding stream for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. It appropriates $1 per Iowa resident (based on U.S. Census population estimates), capped at $3 million yearly, from the state general fund. The funds must be used exclusively for pediatric cancer research - including lab work and clinical trials - prohibiting administrative costs or unrelated activities. The state board of regents must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were spent to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects Iowa residents (through funding) and the University of Iowa's pediatric cancer research programs.
SSB 3002 creates a new license allowing businesses to conduct pari-mutuel betting on simulcast (televised) dog and horse races without requiring live races at the facility. To qualify, an entity must have an agreement with the Iowa horsemen’s association for source market fees and operate through an existing gambling facility licensed under Iowa law. The license requires an annual fee, an annual audit, and subjects wagering over $25 million per year to a 2% tax, with revenue split between the horse racing fund and the commission. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027.
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 establishes new limits on local government property tax collections and reserve funds. It requires cities, counties, and other local entities (excluding school districts) to cap unassigned general fund reserves at 10% of budgeted spending and sets a maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new property valuation growth. These rules apply to budgets certified for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, and will be verified through annual audits. The bill also modifies related tax assessment, budgeting, and reporting requirements for local governments.
HF 2167 establishes a state program to help landowners create buffer strips - permanent vegetation along rivers, streams, and other waterways - to reduce soil erosion, manage nutrients, and improve water quality. Landowners who enroll in the program will work with the state's soil conservation division to establish and maintain these buffer strips, sharing costs and potentially receiving compensation for income lost during their first year of enrollment. The program is funded by a $5 million annual appropriation from the state general fund, starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, managed through a dedicated fund under the division's control.
This bill expands DNA collection requirements in Iowa to include anyone arrested for a felony or aggravated misdemeanor, not just those convicted. It requires these individuals to submit DNA samples for profiling, with exceptions if a sample was previously taken and remains in the database. The bill also clarifies that people can request DNA record expungement if charges were dismissed, acquitted, or not filed within one year of arrest. Additionally, it establishes a $600,000 annual standing appropriation starting in 2026 to fund the investigation and prosecution of cold cases through the Department of Justice.
This bill amends Iowa's definition of "qualified education expenses" for state tax-advantaged savings plans. It aligns Iowa's definition with specific federal Internal Revenue Code sections (529(e)(3) and 529(c)(7)), expanding covered expenses to include elementary/secondary school tuition, registered apprenticeship program costs, and principal/interest payments on qualified education loans for beneficiaries or their siblings. The change directly affects Iowa residents using the state's educational savings plan trust (Code chapter 12D) by clarifying which education costs qualify for tax benefits. The bill removes an outdated reference to a specific federal amendment while updating the definition to match current federal guidelines.
