Labor & Employment (Minimum Wage) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2378: A bill for an act increasing the state minimum hourly wage and providing for subsequent increases by the same percentage as the increase in federal social security benefits.

This Iowa bill (HF 2378) sets a phased increase to the state minimum wage: $10.00 per hour starting July 1, 2026; $12.50 on July 1, 2027; and $15.00 on July 1, 2028. It also establishes a lower minimum wage of $9.10, $11.60, and $14.10 for employees in their first 90 days of work, effective on the same dates. Beginning July 1, 2029, the wage will automatically rise each year by the same percentage as the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, with no decreases allowed. The bill removes a tip credit for certain workers and allows counties or cities to set higher local minimum wages than the state rate.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2380: A bill for an act providing for a community-based wage enforcement program for purposes of the state wage payment collection and minimum wage laws.

HF 2380 establishes a community-based wage enforcement program in Iowa to strengthen enforcement of state wage payment and minimum wage laws. The bill requires the director of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to contract with qualified community-based organizations (nonprofits with five years of employee advocacy experience) to provide free services directly to workers. Key services include employee education about wage rights, direct advocacy for filing complaints, legal assistance, and tailored support for marginalized communities or non-English speakers. All program activities must be accessible to any Iowa employee at no cost, aiming to improve resolution of wage disputes under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 2264: A bill for an act relating to the minimum per hour wage provided to home health aides under the Medicaid program, and making an appropriation.

HF 2264 sets a minimum hourly wage of $15.20 for home health aides working under Iowa's Medicaid program, effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health agencies to ensure this minimum wage is met. It also appropriates state general funds to cover the cost of these higher reimbursements for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This directly affects home health aides providing Medicaid-covered services and home and community-based waiver services in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HJR 2008: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to worker rights.

This proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee Iowa workers the right to form unions, negotiate wages and working conditions through their chosen representatives, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits state laws that interfere with collective bargaining or require union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment would directly affect all Iowa workers and employers, adding these protections to the state constitution. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would become part of Iowa's fundamental law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2456: A bill for an act relating to employment of persons with disabilities.

HF 2456 prohibits Iowa employers from paying disabled workers less than the state minimum wage after July 1, 2027, except for nonprofit sheltered workshops (which retain this exception until July 1, 2028). It establishes state policy that competitive and integrated employment should be the first choice for disabled workers seeking jobs, directing all state agencies to prioritize this approach in their employment programs. The bill does not require employers to hire disabled workers but mandates that state-supported employment services focus on helping disabled individuals work in regular workplaces at fair wages. This affects disabled workers, employers, and state agencies providing job support services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2212: A bill for an act establishing a state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals.

HF 2212 establishes a new state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals in Iowa, directly affecting workers providing personal care, independent living support, and basic health services in nursing facilities, homes, or childcare centers. The bill sets a $20.00 hourly minimum wage for these workers starting July 1, 2026, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment at the same employer. This rate supersedes the federal minimum wage when higher, applying to defined roles like home health aides, certified nurse aides, and direct support professionals. The law amends existing wage provisions to specifically address direct care workers' compensation, with enforcement under Iowa’s labor laws.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SF 2045: A bill for an act increasing the state minimum hourly wage and providing for subsequent increases by the same percentage as the increase in federal social security benefits.

This bill proposes increasing Iowa's state minimum hourly wage to $15.00 starting July 1, 2026, for most workers, with a lower rate of $14.10 for employees in their first 90 days of employment. It requires annual wage adjustments beginning July 1, 2027, tied directly to the federal Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from the previous year. The bill ensures wages can only increase, never decrease, and applies to all covered workers in Iowa. This affects low-wage employees and employers across the state, with the first major increase set for 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2025

HF 361: A bill for an act exempting cash tips from the individual income tax, and including applicability provisions.

HF 361 exempts cash tips reported to employers via IRS Form 6053(a) from Iowa's individual income tax. It directly affects workers who receive cash tips (such as servers or bartenders) by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The bill adds a provision allowing taxpayers to subtract these reported cash tips when calculating their Iowa tax liability. This change applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 4, 2025

HF 732: A bill for an act relating to inmates, including requiring inmates to be paid the minimum wage for labor performed in or while under the custody of an institution under the control of the department of corrections, and the automatic restoration of the right to vote.

HF 732 requires Iowa correctional facilities to pay incarcerated individuals the state minimum wage for labor performed while under custody, replacing current allowance payments. It also automatically restores voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon their release from prison, parole, or work release, without requiring a separate application. The bill establishes an inmate savings fund to hold wages and other funds until release, with interest earned used for inmate benefits. This directly affects all inmates in Iowa's correctional system and changes how they are compensated and regain civic rights after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Probation & Parole Minimum Wage

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 14, 2025

HF 18: A bill for an act establishing a diminished salary offset for unemployment benefits.

This bill (HF 18) changes Iowa's unemployment benefits system for workers who accept part-time or lower-paying jobs before their benefits run out. If someone takes a job paying less weekly than their unemployment benefit amount, they can receive the difference between their job pay and their benefit amount. Benefits continue until the total earnings from the job plus the received benefits equal the maximum yearly benefit amount. This directly affects unemployed Iowans who accept lower-wage employment during their benefit year.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage Unemployment

All labor & employment bills