This bill increases the state funding limit for nonpublic school pupil transportation claims from approximately $8.997 million to $9.184 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The additional funds are specifically designated to reimburse claims that were not previously paid because they were submitted late due to administrative errors. It directs the Iowa Department of Education to use these new moneys to process those delayed reimbursements and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
SSB 3199 is a comprehensive budget bill that sets spending limits and authorizes funds for various state programs and agencies for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation directly affects state departments, school districts, and specific programs by capping payments for nonpublic school transportation, eliminating state aid for instructional support, and allocating millions of dollars for IT modernization in health and human services. It also allows salary adjustments for certain employees using unspent money from special funds, creates a new grant to support healthy eating options for SNAP recipients, and changes rules so some unspent funds can be used in future years rather than returning to the general fund. Additionally, the bill adjusts funding for workforce development, sports wagering, and apprenticeship programs while clarifying how certain federal grants are managed.
This bill exempts sales and use taxes on building materials, supplies, equipment, and services used to construct a regional water trail system by a specific type of nonprofit corporation. To qualify for this tax exemption, the nonprofit must be organized under Iowa law, have a majority of its board members appointed by state political subdivisions, and be responsible for implementing a regional recreational and dam safety plan. The tax relief applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, covering purchases made on or after that date for projects involving written construction contracts.
This bill proposes exempting high-ethanol gasoline (containing more than 85% ethanol) from excise taxes when purchased directly at terminals or refineries for use in agricultural machinery. To qualify for this tax exemption, buyers must provide and retain specific exemption certificates, which suppliers are required to keep on file for at least three years. The legislation also holds purchasers personally responsible for paying the tax if they use the fuel for any purpose other than agricultural production.
This bill provides state funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The appropriations cover a wide range of educational services, including salaries for staff, career and technical education programs, early childhood initiatives like birth-to-age-three services and Head Start projects, and resources for student assessments and literacy monitoring. Specific funds are also allocated to expand work-based learning opportunities, support school food service programs, and assist high school students in taking college-level summer classes. Additionally, the legislation includes money for specialized support for infants and toddlers with medical needs and for implementing performance reporting systems for school districts.
This bill expands an existing Iowa state tax credit to include volunteer ambulance drivers, who were previously excluded from the benefit available to certified first responders. By amending the definition of "emergency medical services personnel," the legislation allows these volunteer drivers to claim a $250 tax credit for their services. The change applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, ensuring that eligible individuals can claim the credit for past years.
This bill modifies the Teach Iowa Scholar Program to change how state funding is distributed to teachers starting in the 2026 fiscal year. It mandates that 20% of the funds go to special education instructors and 50% go to teachers working in rural school districts, which are defined as those with fewer than 1,000 students. The legislation also clarifies that a single teacher cannot receive funding under both categories simultaneously, requiring the state department to assign them to only one group. These changes directly affect eligible classroom teachers in Iowa by altering the specific criteria and allocation percentages for the scholarship fund.
This Iowa bill updates regulations for oil and gas production by clarifying industry definitions, expanding reporting requirements, and creating a new account to fund water quality projects. It grants the Department of Natural Resources additional authority to issue variances for rule compliance and establish exploratory spacing units to determine pool boundaries. The legislation also introduces a confidential information protocol to protect sensitive business and geological data for five years while allowing the department to access non-redacted copies. Finally, it outlines procedures for negotiating surface damage and defines the specific records that must be filed annually by producers.
HF 2783 allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support various education agencies, including the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The bill provides specific amounts for salaries, operational expenses, and the hiring of full-time equivalent positions across areas such as general administration, career and technical education, and early childhood services. It also establishes new programs, including a statewide clearinghouse to expand work-based learning and summer college classes for high school students, while funding existing initiatives like birth-to-age-three services and statewide student assessments. This legislation directly affects school districts, educational institutions, and the agencies responsible for administering these programs throughout Iowa.
This bill creates a loan repayment program administered by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission to encourage attorneys to practice law in the state. Eligible participants, who must be licensed Iowa lawyers, agree to work in designated areas and provide a specific number of hours of indigent defense services in exchange for up to $10,000 per year in loan assistance for a maximum of six years. The program prioritizes attorneys working in rural counties and those who graduated from Iowa law schools, with a strict limit of 25 recipients annually. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated state fund for the program and ensures that the loan repayment assistance received is exempt from Iowa state income tax.
