Budget & Taxes

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SF 2493: A bill for an act relating to the excise tax on certain ethanol blended gasoline purchased exclusively for use in an implement of husbandry used in agricultural production.

This bill exempts high-ethanol gasoline, specifically blends containing more than 85 percent ethanol, from the state excise tax when purchased directly from a terminal or refinery for use in agricultural equipment. To qualify for this tax exemption, buyers must obtain and present a specific certificate to the supplier, who is required to keep these records for at least three years. The law also holds the purchaser personally responsible for paying the tax if they use the fuel for any purpose other than agricultural production. Ultimately, the legislation removes the cost of the excise tax for farmers buying high-ethanol fuel directly from the source for their machinery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts agricultural equipment from excise tax, reducing costs for farmers and promoting fiscal relief for the agricultural sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

signed · Iowa · Senate May 26, 2026

SF 2480: A bill for an act relating to the taxation and regulation of alternative nicotine products and vapor products, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes new taxes and regulatory rules for alternative nicotine products and vapor devices. It directly affects manufacturers, sellers, and consumers of these items by creating a specific tax framework and setting compliance standards for their sale. The legislation includes provisions for how these products must be stored and tracked, ensuring that warehouse records are maintained and accessible. By defining these requirements, the bill aims to standardize how these products are handled within the state's existing tax and health systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new taxes on alternative nicotine products, directly increasing state revenue and advancing the Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2800: A bill for an act relating to state and local government and finances, including by making, modifying, limiting, or reducing appropriations, distributions, or transfers, authorizing expenditure of unappropriated moneys in special funds, making corrections, and providing for properly related matters including the national electrical code, local civil rights laws, political party state central committees, noxious weeds, nonresident deer hunting licenses, proprietary treatment systems, poultry associations, tax credits, alternative nicotine and vapor products, public assistance programs, judicial branch and county attorney salaries, civil litigation abuse, human trafficking, federal grants and loans notifications, quarterly payments to area education agencies, civic proficiency in higher education, charter schools under the Iowa public employees’ retirement system, school district incentives, extracurricular interscholastic eligibility, and levy increases, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2800 is a comprehensive state budget bill that sets spending limits and allocates funds for various government programs and services for the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The legislation directly affects state agencies, school districts, and recipients of public assistance by capping reimbursement for nonpublic school transportation, eliminating instructional support state aid, and directing specific sums to workforce development, health information technology, and nutrition programs. Key provisions include allowing salary adjustments for state employees using unspent money from special funds, transferring pandemic relief balances to an information technology fund, and establishing rules for how certain funds can be carried over to future years. Additionally, the bill authorizes the use of federal incentive payments for unemployment insurance modernization and provides grants to support fresh produce access for SNAP recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly sets spending limits and allocates funds for essential programs, directly advancing state budget management and fiscal policy.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill eliminates instructional support state aid and caps nonpublic school transportation reimbursement, restricting school funding.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funds to health information technology and nutrition programs, indicating support for healthcare infrastructure and public health initiatives.70% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directs specific funding to workforce development programs, which supports labor and employment initiatives.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Pensions State Budget School Transportation Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 2495: A bill for an act creating a maternity group home tax credit available against the individual, corporate, franchise, insurance premium, and moneys and credits taxes, and including applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill creates a tax credit for donations made to maternity group homes, which are residential facilities providing care and support for pregnant women and new mothers with their children. Beginning in the 2026 tax year, eligible individuals and businesses can claim a credit equal to 100% of their donation amount against various state taxes, including income, corporate, and franchise taxes. The program includes annual spending limits of $3.5 million total and $500,000 per organization, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis and a waitlist established if demand exceeds these caps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit to incentivize donations to maternity group homes, effectively funding essential health and housing services while providing tax relief.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credits for donations to maternity group homes, increasing funding and access for pregnant women and new mothers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds maternity group homes, which are residential facilities providing housing and care for pregnant women and new mothers, directly supporting housing for vulnerable populations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Insurance

Track

passed · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2785: A bill for an act extending the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit.

This Iowa bill extends the expiration date for the biodiesel blended fuel tax credit from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2033. The change directly affects retail dealers who sell biodiesel fuel blends, allowing them to continue claiming a state income tax credit for promoting these fuels. By updating the relevant tax code sections, the legislation ensures that dealers whose tax years do not align with the original repeal date can still claim the credit for a full calendar year. The bill also clarifies how the credit amount should be calculated for dealers claiming it in the year following the extension period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends a tax credit for biodiesel, providing fiscal relief and promoting renewable fuel incentives.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill extends tax credit for biodiesel, a renewable energy fuel. This promotes renewable energy production and use within the energy sector.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtending tax credits for biodiesel incentivizes renewable fuel use, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends biodiesel tax credit, encouraging sustainable fuel adoption for vehicles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Transportation Funding

Track

passed · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2786: A bill for an act modifying the sales or use tax refund for biodiesel production.

This Iowa bill modifies the state tax refund program specifically for biodiesel producers. The legislation increases the refund rate from four cents to five cents per gallon of biodiesel produced within the state. It also extends the expiration date for this tax benefit from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031. These adjustments apply to the total number of gallons produced by eligible producers during each quarter of a calendar year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax refunds for biodiesel producers, providing fiscal relief and extending a tax benefit.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill increases tax refunds for biodiesel production and extends the benefit period, directly incentivizing renewable energy production and reducing fossil fuel reliance.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases tax incentives for biodiesel production, a renewable fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes clean energy usage.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill incentivizes biodiesel production, promoting sustainable fuel options for vehicles and enhancing the transportation energy supply.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

passed · Iowa · House May 1, 2026

HF 2758: A bill for an act providing a standing appropriation to the state board of regents for pediatric cancer research at the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics.

This bill establishes ongoing state funding for pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the state will allocate one dollar per resident annually to the State Board of Regents, with a maximum cap of three million dollars per year. The funds are restricted specifically to laboratory research and clinical trials, prohibiting their use for administrative overhead or unrelated activities. Additionally, the State Board of Regents must submit an annual report to the governor and the General Assembly detailing how the money was spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state appropriation for research, directly impacting budget allocation and government spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funding for pediatric cancer research and clinical trials, directly supporting healthcare initiatives and medical advancements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Children's Health

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 21, 2026

HSB 777: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flow, and nonreversions; report on nonreversion of moneys; more options for maternal support program; reimbursement rates review; mental diseases exclusion waiver; community health centers reimbursement; full-time equivalent dashboard; comprehensive family support program; federal community mental health services block grant; child welfare and juvenile justice decategorization; commitment or hospitalization of certain persons with substance abuse disorders or mental illness; behavioral health expenditure report; and opioid settlement fund; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill allocates state funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to the departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services, supporting programs for veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Key provisions include financial support for the Iowa Veterans Home, home ownership assistance for military members, and aging services such as elder abuse prevention and adult day care. The legislation also establishes reporting requirements for expenditures and includes funding for maternal support, mental health services, and opioid settlement initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes appropriations and allocates state funding for multiple departments, directly advancing the budget topic by funding essential public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides appropriations to Department of Health and Human Services, funding medical assistance, behavioral health, and public health programs.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill explicitly appropriates state funding to the department of veterans affairs, indicating financial support for veteran services and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Military Families

Track

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SF 641: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of health and human services, including administrative services organizations, child foster care, child and dependent adult abuse, internal audit and examination information, and the region incentive fund in the mental health and disability services regional service fund, health maintenance organization’s premium tax, and making appropriations and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill enacts changes across several areas overseen by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. It introduces definitions for "behavioral health districts" and "disability access points" and establishes new restrictions on who can serve as an advocate for involuntarily hospitalized patients, excluding those affiliated with administrative services organizations (ASOs) or care providers. The bill also updates child foster care laws to formally include "approved kinship caregivers" alongside licensed foster parents, granting them decision-making authority under the "reasonable and prudent parent standard" and ensuring their participation in care planning. These provisions directly affect individuals receiving mental health and disability services, children in foster care, and the various organizations involved in providing these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes appropriations and funding provisions for health and human services programs, establishing definitions and restrictions to improve service delivery and fiscal management.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by restricting ASO involvement in involuntary hospitalization advocacy and expands foster care definitions, supporting healthcare access and patient protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Iowa · Senate Mar 28, 2025

SF 605: A bill for an act relating to state income tax withholdings on winnings from sports wagering, and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes rules for state income tax withholding on winnings from sports wagering in Iowa, directly affecting individuals who receive such winnings. It clarifies that all winnings from sports wagering are considered Iowa earned income and are subject to both state and federal income tax laws. The bill specifically mandates that state income tax be withheld from sports wagering winnings whenever federal income tax withholding is also required for those same winnings under federal tax law. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates tax withholding on sports wagering winnings, ensuring state revenue collection and closing potential tax loopholes for gambling income.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax