SF 440 requires individuals or entities controlling hazardous substances to pay a 10% fine on top of existing costs for hazardous conditions they cause. This fine applies when someone is already liable for cleanup or damages under current law. Money collected from the fine goes into the natural resources account, which funds state parks, wildlife habitats, forest management, water trail improvements, and conservation education programs. The bill directly affects businesses or individuals managing hazardous materials that create unsafe conditions. It creates a new financial penalty while directing revenue toward environmental conservation projects.
This bill modifies how criminal case fines collected within a county are distributed, reducing the percentages allocated to the state court administrator and county treasurer. It establishes a new "victim restitution fund" in the state treasury, which will receive 7% of these collected fines. The fund is dedicated to providing restitution for crime victims, covering "pecuniary damages" and restitution for the death of a victim, as defined by existing law. Monies in this fund will remain available for expenditure year-to-year and will not revert at the close of a fiscal year.
House File 883 requires public school districts to provide free feminine hygiene products, such as sanitary napkins and tampons, to female students in grades six through twelve. These products must be accessible in women's restrooms within school buildings and refilled regularly. The bill appropriates state funds to the Department of Education from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, to reimburse school districts for the full cost of compliance. After this period, school districts will cover these costs using state school foundation aid.
This bill authorizes Iowa's Department of Administrative Services director to sell two specific properties: the Henry A. Wallace state office building (502 E. 9th St., Des Moines) and its adjacent parking structure (628 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines). The sale must occur under terms set by the director, with all proceeds deposited into the state's general fund. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and does not change existing property ownership or create new programs.
HF 410 would require Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to set reimbursement rates for child care providers caring for unhoused children equal to the rate for children needing special-needs care. The bill defines "unhoused" as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including living in motels, shelters, cars, or transitional housing. This change directly affects child care providers serving unhoused children and the state's child care assistance program budget. The bill was introduced on February 13, 2025, and remains in committee.
HF 133 creates a state-funded grant program to help local governments demolish vacant school buildings that stopped being used as schools before January 1, 2021. Grants prioritize small communities (populations under 2,500) and the 88 least populous counties, requiring applicants to align demolition plans with local economic or community development goals. Property sold after demolition must return profits (minus demolition costs) to the fund, and the program requires annual reports to lawmakers. The fund takes effect July 1, 2025, if appropriated funding is secured for the 2025 fiscal year.
SSB 1209 expands an existing sales tax exemption for telecommunications companies. Currently, these companies are exempt from sales tax on central office or transmission equipment *primarily* used for providing telecommunications services. The bill removes the word "primarily" from the statute. This change means that all purchases of such equipment used in furnishing telecommunications services on a commercial basis will be exempt from sales tax. This affects various entities, including local exchange carriers, cable television operators, long distance companies, and commercial mobile radio service providers.
House File 707 establishes a standing annual appropriation of $20,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding is dedicated to making free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters throughout the state. HHS will distribute these kits through existing contracts with the Iowa radon awareness recipient, certified radon laboratories, or other approved vendors. All test kits must be obtained from and analyzed by a certified radon laboratory, and distributors are required to provide resulting data to HHS upon request. The department will also provide an online link on its website for ordering these kits.
HF 797 creates special "National Wild Turkey Federation" license plates for Iowa vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, applicants pay a one-time $25 fee for standard letter-number plates (or $50 total for personalized plates), plus an annual $10 fee on top of regular registration. All fees collected are directed to the state's general fund and then allocated to the Department of Natural Resources to provide grants specifically for wild turkey habitat conservation and hunting programs. Priority for these grants goes to Iowa chapters of nonprofits focused on wild turkey conservation and increasing hunter participation. The bill ensures the Department of Transportation cannot require a minimum number of plate orders before issuing the special plates.
This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in specific facilities from $50 to $85. It directly affects residents of nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for intellectual disabilities or mental illness, and children's psychiatric medical institutions. The bill requires the state to supplement residents with income below $85 per month to reach the full $85 allowance, using annual appropriations from the general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services. This change provides a concrete policy adjustment to support residents' personal expenses within the Medicaid program.
