Budget & Taxes (Economic Development)

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 15, 2026

HSB 773: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and codifying the housing renewal program.

This bill allocates $12.9 million and 102.6 full-time equivalent positions to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support business recruitment, expansion, and retention. It establishes specific goals for the authority to focus on commercially viable projects, adopt free-market practices, and coordinate with other agencies to foster an entrepreneurial environment. The legislation also includes restrictions requiring businesses receiving financial assistance to hire only individuals legally authorized to work in the United States and allows for the recapture of funds if a business knowingly violates this rule.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $12.9M and 102.6 positions to economic development agencies, directly funding state programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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died · Iowa · Senate May 3, 2026

SF 2506: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; establishing the new jobs training program interim study committee; the research activities credit; and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes the Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment Program, which allows the state's economic development authority to offer tax incentives to large corporations that expand or retain their corporate headquarters in Iowa. To qualify, businesses must operate in specific sectors like technology or advanced manufacturing, generate most of their revenue outside the state, and commit to providing comprehensive benefits to employees. The legislation also creates a new training fund for business growth, repeals the existing New Jobs Tax Credit Program, and sets up a committee to study new job training initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new economic development programs and funds to attract businesses and expand headquarters, supporting state budget goals through growth.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates programs offering tax incentives tied to employee benefit commitments and establishes training funds to improve workforce skills.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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died · Iowa · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SF 2485: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions.

This bill allocates state funds to the Economic Development Authority and related agencies to support business growth, workforce development, and tourism initiatives for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The legislation sets specific goals for the authority to expand the state economy and population while prioritizing the recruitment, expansion, and retention of businesses, as well as fostering entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships. Appropriated money can be used for grants, loans, and marketing efforts, with restrictions prohibiting funds from being used for geothermal snow-melting systems and requiring that jobs created with state assistance be filled by individuals legally authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, the bill provides specific funding for the World Food Prize, the tourism office, and the Iowa Arts Council, while requiring annual reports on tourism activities to measure their economic impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to support economic development, workforce programs, and public institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funds to workforce development agencies, directly supporting job creation and labor market initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2772: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and codifying the housing renewal program.

This bill allocates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support economic development agencies, including the Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Department of Workforce Development, and State Board of Regents. The legislation sets specific goals for these agencies to expand the state economy, increase wealth, and boost population by prioritizing business recruitment, expansion, and entrepreneurial support. It also establishes financial restrictions requiring businesses receiving state assistance to hire only individuals legally authorized to work in the United States and prohibits funding for geothermal snow-melting projects. Additionally, the bill provides separate appropriations for the World Food Prize, a tourism office, and the Iowa Arts Council, while requiring annual performance reports for the tourism office.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds to economic development agencies, directly advancing the budget topic through increased appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates state funds to codify and support the housing renewal program, indicating financial backing for housing initiatives.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funds to the Department of Workforce Development, directly supporting employment services and workforce initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2799: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and establishing the new jobs training program interim study committee; and including effective date provisions.

This bill creates the Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment Program, which offers tax incentives to large companies that keep or expand their corporate headquarters in Iowa. To qualify, businesses must operate in specific industries like technology or advanced manufacturing, generate most of their revenue outside the state, and prove that other states are competing for their location. The legislation also establishes new training funds for business growth and repeals the previous New Jobs Tax Credit Program. Additionally, it sets up a new fund to help plan the expansion of the state's electric transmission system and creates a committee to study job training needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates economic development programs and tax incentive funds to attract business, directly advancing fiscal management and economic growth goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3188: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and state board of regents and certain regents institutions.

This bill allocates state funding to the economic development authority and related agencies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, to support business growth, job creation, and community development across Iowa. The legislation establishes specific goals for the authority to focus on recruiting new businesses, retaining existing ones, and fostering entrepreneurship while prioritizing commercially viable projects in agriculture, technology, and biotechnology. It includes provisions requiring businesses receiving financial assistance to hire workers legally authorized to work in the United States and prohibits funding for geothermal snow-melting systems. Additionally, the bill provides separate appropriations for tourism promotion, support of the World Food Prize, and arts council activities, with requirements for annual reporting on tourism office performance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funding for economic development, job creation, and business growth through appropriations to relevant agencies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funding for workforce development and job creation, which supports employment standards and economic opportunities for workers75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly prioritizes technology sector alongside agriculture and biotechnology for economic development funding and business growth initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HSB 728: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of programs administered by the economic development authority, including the interactive digital entertainment program, game studio investment matching program, game industry fellowship program, and game studio grant program, and making appropriations.

This bill establishes four new programs under Iowa's Economic Development Authority to support the state's game industry. It creates a tax credit program offering up to 30% of eligible development costs (with a $20 million annual cap) for companies maintaining a physical presence and $250,000 in state payroll. It also provides forgivable loans matching private investments in Iowa game studios (capped at $20 million per studio annually) and offers $150,000-$200,000 annual grants for industry professionals to relocate and work in education, consulting, or industry-building roles for two years. These programs directly affect game developers, investors, and industry professionals seeking to establish or grow Iowa-based operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits (up to 30% of costs) and grants for game industry, allocating state funds via tax incentives and appropriations, directly advancing business fiscal support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax credits, forgivable loans, and grants specifically for Iowa game studios (interactive digital entertainment), directly funding the technology sector through economic development programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SF 2373: A bill for an act modifying the major economic growth attraction program to include incentivizing the building of a professional sports stadium by a national football league franchise in the state.

SF 2373 modifies Iowa's MEGA economic development program to allow NFL franchises building a professional sports stadium in the state to qualify for incentives. The bill defines "sports stadium" as a facility hosting NFL games and adds stadium construction projects to the program's eligible business types, expanding beyond its current focus on advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or R&D. Eligible NFL franchises would receive tax incentives like sales tax refunds and investment credits, subject to the program's existing limits of two projects or a 2027 end date. The bill does not change the requirement that businesses must primarily engage in qualifying sectors, though stadium projects are now explicitly included.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax incentives (sales tax refunds, investment credits) for NFL stadium construction under MEGA program, directly using tax policy to fund economic development.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SSB 3103: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and including effective date provisions.

SSB 3103 creates the "EDGE Program" (Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment), offering tax incentives to businesses that retain or locate corporate headquarters in Iowa. To qualify, businesses must have global presence, generate over 50% revenue outside Iowa, operate in specific sectors (like tech or bioscience), and meet wage/benefit requirements. The bill repeals several existing programs, including the New Jobs Tax Credit and Major Economic Growth Attraction Program, while establishing a new fund for electric transmission system planning. It directly affects eligible businesses seeking state incentives and the Economic Development Authority, which will administer the program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax incentives for corporations via EDGE Program, repealing existing tax credits; aligns with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly targets tech sector for tax incentives via EDGE Program, requiring businesses to operate in tech/bioscience to qualify, directly advancing technology industry growth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2252: A bill for an act modifying the major economic growth attraction program to include incentivizing the building of a professional sports stadium by a national football league franchise in the state.

SF 2252 modifies Iowa's Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program to allow tax incentives for building a National Football League (NFL) stadium. The bill expands the existing program - which currently targets businesses in advanced manufacturing, biosciences, or R&D - to include NFL franchises constructing a professional sports stadium. Key provisions define "sports stadium" as a facility for NFL games and specify that incentives (like sales tax refunds and investment tax credits) would apply to the stadium project, subject to the program’s $1 billion investment threshold. This bill would directly affect NFL teams seeking to build a stadium in Iowa, but it does not change other MEGA program requirements or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly creates tax incentives (sales tax refunds, investment tax credits) for NFL stadium construction, directly modifying Iowa's tax policy to fund a specific project through fiscal tools, advancing state budget utilization for economic ...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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