Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SF 621: A bill for an act relating to economic development by establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism and marketing infrastructure program, and making appropriations.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state fund for tourism grants, increasing budget allocation for economic development programs through new appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SF 283: A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program and making appropriations.

SF 283 establishes a scholarship program to help Iowa residents with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities (age 18+) cover costs at approved postsecondary programs. The program, administered by the College Student Aid Commission with input from vocational rehabilitation services, provides up to $5,000 annually per academic year for tuition and fees at U.S. Department of Education-approved programs. Funds are held in a dedicated state treasury account that carries over yearly, avoiding annual budget reversion. Priority for scholarships is given to Iowa residents applying through an annual process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations for disability scholarship program, increasing public service funding via dedicated treasury account.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes $5,000 annual scholarships for postsecondary education access for disabled Iowans, directly expanding educational funding and access for a specific group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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died · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SF 306: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa lottery.

SF 306 amends Iowa's lottery laws to clarify definitions, strengthen security, and update financial reporting. It defines "Lotto" and "self-service kiosk" (restricting them to ticket dispensing only), requires quarterly/annual revenue reports to state officials, and mandates independent CPA verification of drawing equipment. The bill prohibits state employees, their immediate family members (living in the same household for 183+ days), and vendors with access to confidential information from purchasing tickets or claiming prizes. It also creates a dedicated lottery fund for revenue transfers to the general fund and specifies security staff requirements for lottery operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates financial reporting and CPA verification for lottery revenue, promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in state revenue management per subjects like 'public funds' and 'revenue department'.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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died · Iowa · House May 9, 2025

HF 565: A bill for an act establishing a partial exemption on property taxes for certain residential properties sold in disaster areas.

HF 565 establishes a partial property tax exemption for certain residential properties. This exemption applies to homes purchased from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by owners who qualify for the homestead tax credit. To be eligible, the sale must be made to provide housing in an area declared a major disaster or disaster emergency. The exemption lasts for four assessment years, starting at 80% of the property's actual value in the first year and decreasing by 20% each subsequent year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption (80% first year) for qualifying homeowners in disaster areas, offering tax relief to lower-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPartial tax exemption for HUD-sold homes in disaster areas reduces costs for homeowners, advancing housing affordability in recovery zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SF 500: A bill for an act relating to establishing the school security personnel grant program within the department of homeland security and emergency management and making appropriations.

SF 500 establishes a state grant program to help Iowa school districts pay for security personnel at high schools. The program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, provides matching grants (up to $30,000 per district annually) to offset costs for hiring private security officers or school resource officers guarding high school attendance centers. It appropriates $9,750,000 from the state general fund for the program during fiscal year 2025-2026, with unspent funds carried forward to future years. The bill directly affects school districts employing security staff at grades 9-12 locations, reducing their financial burden for this requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $9.75M from state general fund for school security grants, directly funding a new program within state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $9.75M for school security grants to fund personnel at high schools, directly enhancing safety infrastructure in K-12 education environment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SF 558: A bill for an act relating to Medicaid program improvements, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.

SF 558 updates Iowa's Medicaid program to improve service delivery and provider rights. It requires Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide conflict-free case management and independent assessments for long-term care members, and allows them to opt into a fee-for-service program. The bill creates a new external review process for providers denied services or reimbursement, mandating MCOs to clearly notify providers of their appeal rights and pay a $1,000 penalty if they fail to comply with notification requirements. Providers automatically win reviews if MCOs miss deadlines for documentation or notifications. These changes directly affect Medicaid providers, MCOs, and long-term care recipients in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes explicit appropriation for Medicaid program improvements and mandates MCO penalties, advancing public service funding through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid MCOs to improve case management, provider rights, and external reviews with penalties for non-compliance, strengthening program access and accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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died · Iowa · House May 14, 2025

HF 1041: A bill for an act relating to sports wagering receipts, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

HF 1041 revises how funds from the state's sports wagering receipts fund are appropriated. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, it establishes a new order of priority for distributing these funds to various state departments. The bill directs money to the Department of Health and Human Services for behavioral health and problem gambling initiatives, to the Economic Development Authority for regional sports authority districts and a length of service award program, and to the Department of Public Safety for equipment. It also creates a new grant account for the Department of Management to issue grants to eligible local governments for emergency services equipment. Additionally, the bill makes specific appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to community attraction, tourism, destination, and levee improvement funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects sports wagering receipts to specific departments via new appropriations order, advancing fiscal management of existing revenue for health, economic development, and public safety services.95% confidence

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died · Iowa · House May 14, 2025

HF 617: A bill for an act modifying public improvements relating to housing and residential development in urban renewal areas, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

HF 617 modifies rules for public improvements related to housing and residential development in certain urban renewal areas within cities. The bill increases the minimum required assistance for low and moderate income family housing in these projects from 10% to 20% of the original project cost. It also extends the period for dividing tax revenues (tax increment financing) for these specific projects from 10 to 20 fiscal years. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "low and moderate income family housing" for these projects to include workforce housing, and updates the general definition of "low or moderate income families" within the relevant code chapter. These changes apply to projects approved on or after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases low-income housing funding requirement from 10% to 20% and extends tax increment financing (TIF) period from 10 to 20 years, directing more tax revenue toward housing projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases low/moderate income housing funding from 10% to 20% of project cost and extends tax increment financing from 10 to 20 years, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 96: A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.

HF 96 establishes a tuition reimbursement program for Iowa teachers pursuing an advanced dyslexia specialist certification. It provides up to 75% of tuition costs (capped at two years) to teachers working in Iowa schools or area education agencies who are obtaining this specialized certification. The program, funded with $335,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026, requires annual applications and verification of current teaching status. Teachers must apply each year and complete the certification process to receive payments, with the first payment after year one and the second after year two. The College Student Aid Commission administers the program and reports annually on participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $335,000 from state budget for teacher dyslexia specialist program, directly funding an educational initiative through appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds tuition for teachers pursuing dyslexia specialist certification ($335k appropriation), directly supporting educator professional development and addressing student learning needs in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 16, 2025

SF 165: A bill for an act authorizing length of service award programs for volunteer fire fighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers, and making appropriations.

SF 165 authorizes local municipalities to establish length of service award programs for volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers. These programs are designed to provide tax-deferred benefits to these volunteers. The bill creates a state grant fund, managed by the Department of Revenue, to help municipalities fund these programs. This fund will receive an initial $1.5 million appropriation from sports wagering receipts, with annual replenishments, and will provide matching grants up to $300 per recipient per year to participating municipalities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $1.5M state grant fund from sports wagering receipts to fund volunteer service awards, directly advancing fiscal management of public safety programs through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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