HF 2217 requires all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa to test for radon gas in school buildings at least once by July 2027 and every five years thereafter, with testing limited to October-March. It creates a state grant program within the Department of Education to help schools cover the costs of radon testing and mitigation, using funds that remain available year-to-year rather than reverting to the general fund. Schools must follow specific testing protocols and address elevated radon levels (4 picocuries per liter or higher) by conducting follow-up tests or developing mitigation plans. The bill also mandates that testing results be published online and reported to health officials, with grants intended to supplement, not replace, existing school funding for radon-related work.
This bill modifies Iowa's property tax credit system for low-income elderly and disabled residents, ensuring timely annual payments for property taxes or rent reimbursements. It streamlines the removal of abandoned mobile homes on rural property by allowing landowners or mobile home park operators to remove "valueless homes" (defined as abandoned homes with no market value) without court orders, requiring only 10 days' written notice to the county treasurer. The bill also updates tax sale rules to prevent splits or consolidations of land parcels during redemption periods or with unpaid taxes. These changes directly affect rural property owners, mobile home park operators, and low-income homeowners/renters.
This bill (5536XD) sets a 5% cap on indirect costs charged to state-funded grants, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects grantees - including nonprofits, local governments, schools, and other organizations receiving state grants - by requiring that all indirect costs (like administrative overhead) combined cannot exceed 5% of the total grant amount. Key provisions mandate separate budgeting of direct and indirect costs, prohibit reclassifying indirect costs as direct costs to bypass the cap, and require grantees to maintain documentation for 10 years. Departments must review budgets for compliance and recover disallowed costs exceeding the cap. The cap does not apply to federal funds with separate indirect cost rules.
SF 2050 allows Iowa legislators to deduct unreimbursed mileage costs incurred while performing constituent services (like meeting with voters or helping residents with government issues) at the same rate used for state employee travel expenses. This deduction does not apply to mileage during legislative sessions, special sessions, or campaign-related activities. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects Iowa legislators who incur out-of-pocket mileage costs while serving constituents outside official session days.
This bill raises the price limit for tax-free purchases during Iowa's annual sales tax holiday from $100 to $200. The holiday occurs on the first weekend in August each year. Residents purchasing qualifying items (like clothing or school supplies) under $200 will not pay state sales tax during this period. The change directly affects Iowa consumers buying eligible items during the designated weekend.
This bill modifies Iowa's Teach Iowa Scholar program, which provides up to $4,000 annually (max $20,000 over five years) to teachers in STEM, ESL, special education, or hard-to-staff subjects. It removes the current requirement that applicants rank in the top 25% of their teacher preparation program. Instead, starting July 1, 2026, 20% of funds must go to teachers providing special education, and 50% to teachers in rural school districts (defined as districts with fewer than 1,000 students). These changes directly affect eligible teachers seeking program funding, shifting focus toward rural and special education roles.
This bill exempts ethanol-blended gasoline containing over 85% ethanol from Iowa's excise tax when purchased exclusively for use in farm equipment. It directly affects Iowa farmers and agricultural businesses that use such fuel in machinery for farming operations. The key provision removes the tax at the point of purchase (at terminals or refineries) for qualifying fuel, eliminating the need to pay the tax and seek a refund under current law. This change applies specifically to gasoline meeting the 85% ethanol threshold used solely in agricultural implements, streamlining the tax process for this sector.
HF 2208 changes how certain single-family homes are taxed in Iowa starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects property owners who individually own more than ten single-family homes, reclassifying those homes from residential to commercial property for tax purposes. The bill defines a "single-family home" as a parcel with one dwelling unit used for human habitation. This reclassification means these properties will be subject to commercial property tax rates instead of residential rates. The change aims to adjust tax classification based on ownership scale rather than property use.
HF 2129 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible inmates in Iowa to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who meet behavioral and qualification criteria, aiming to address statewide operator shortages while providing post-release employment pathways. The program requires collaboration between corrections, natural resources, workforce development, and local utilities, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation in fiscal year 2026-2027. Annual reports on participation, certification rates, employment, and recidivism must be submitted to the legislature, and the program expires January 16, 2029.
HF 2043 changes how Iowa's General Assembly funds professional memberships for its members. It prohibits the state from paying dues for collective memberships (like the National Conference of State Legislatures) on behalf of all legislators. Instead, the General Assembly must annually calculate the total dues for those organizations and distribute the equal amount directly to each member, who can then use the funds only to join specific organizations listed in the bill, such as the Council of State Governments or the Heritage Foundation. This shifts funding responsibility from the state to individual legislators for these professional affiliations.
