Budget & Taxes (Government Spending)

HF 451 prohibits Iowa state agencies and local governments (like cities, counties, or school districts) from entering contracts with or providing tax incentives to large online platforms that censor content. It defines "censorship" through Chapter 554I (which includes restrictions on removing "excessively violent content" or "expressive merchandise"), targeting platforms with specific size thresholds (e.g., 75 million U.S. users for marketplaces). Violating this law triggers a 10% reduction in a political subdivision’s budget and tax revenues, increasing by 5% annually if the violation isn’t fixed by January 31. The bill focuses on government spending decisions, not direct regulation of online content.

SSB 1241 addresses state government finances and appropriations, primarily for the fiscal year 2025-2026. It modifies funding for education by limiting the appropriation for nonpublic school pupil transportation and setting instructional support state aid to zero. The bill also reallocates over $21 million from the Iowa Economic Emergency Fund for school foundation aid and reduces overall funding for school districts and area education agencies by $25 million. Furthermore, it allows certain state employee salary adjustments to be funded from unappropriated special funds. The bill also includes several corrective provisions to existing state laws.

HSB 335 is a bill concerning state finances, primarily impacting education funding and state appropriations. It allocates $14 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to supplement compensation for education support personnel in school districts, distributed based on student enrollment. The bill also limits funding for nonpublic school pupil transportation and sets instructional support state aid to zero for FY 2025-2026. Furthermore, it reduces overall funding for school districts and area education agencies by $25 million for FY 2025-2026. The bill also transfers over $21 million from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund to support foundation aid and allows the use of special funds for state employee salary adjustments.

House File 1055 is a state finance bill that makes various adjustments to appropriations and transfers for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. It limits funding for nonpublic school pupil transportation and sets instructional support state aid to zero for that fiscal year, directly affecting schools. The bill also allows salary adjustments to be funded from unappropriated moneys in specific state special funds. Additionally, it transfers over $21 million from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund to support school foundation aid, and reduces amounts for school districts and area education agencies by $25 million. The bill also includes technical corrections to other state laws.