Technology

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HF 2136: A bill for an act relating to the confidentiality of library records of a minor.

HF 2136 strengthens privacy protections for minors' library records in Iowa. It requires libraries to keep records revealing a minor's library use confidential, except when: (1) a court grants strict approval for law enforcement access based on a clear connection to a specific crime investigation, or (2) parents or guardians request their minor child's records. The bill directly affects minors using Iowa public libraries, parents/guardians seeking access to their child's records, and law enforcement agencies seeking library data. It clarifies that libraries cannot disclose these records without a judicial order for law enforcement or a parent's request, reinforcing existing confidentiality standards under Iowa Code 22.7.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens minors' data privacy in library records, directly aligning with data privacy protections under Technology policies.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 19, 2026

HSB 643: A bill for an act relating to the use of synthetic media in campaign materials, and making penalties applicable.

Iowa's HSB 643 requires political campaigns and advertisers to clearly disclose when campaign materials (like ads, social media posts, or videos) use digitally manipulated content that falsely mimics a person's appearance or voice. It mandates that such materials prominently display "THIS CONTENT GENERATED USING SYNTHETIC MEDIA," with the publisher solely responsible for compliance. The law applies to all political advertising formats, including online content, print, and broadcast media, directly affecting campaigns and media producers. Violations are classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,560.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates disclosure of synthetic media in political ads to prevent deception, aligning with digital rights and consumer protection regulations. Requires transparency in technology use for public awareness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SSB 3029: A bill for an act relating to parties responsible for the confidentiality of information of participants in the address confidentiality program.

This bill requires both assessors and recorders (not just assessors) to hide participants' names from public online documents in Iowa's address confidentiality program upon request. It mandates that these officials implement a system to handle such requests without charging participants any fees. The law directly affects individuals enrolled in the program, such as victims of domestic violence, who use it to protect their home addresses. The change clarifies and expands existing requirements to ensure consistent privacy protections across all relevant state offices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates hiding participant names from public online documents to protect personal data, directly enhancing data privacy protections in digital records.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2118: A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

HF 2118 establishes a pilot program allowing Iowa voters with disabilities that prevent hand-marking of ballots to independently mark absentee ballots by mail using assistive technology (such as nonvisual or low-vision access tools). It requires the state election commissioner to create rules for the program, including a mail request method for eligible voters. The program must test feasibility across enough counties if not statewide, with annual reports to the legislature. The pilot expires on July 1, 2029.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables assistive technology (nonvisual/low-vision tools) for accessible voting, directly promoting digital equity and accessibility for disabled voters through technology use.95% confidence

Tags Elections

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SSB 3086: A bill for an act relating to consumer fraud and unlawful practices, including digital financial asset transaction kiosks, and providing civil penalties.

This bill reclassifies violations involving digital financial asset transaction kiosks as consumer fraud under Iowa's existing consumer protection law. It grants the Iowa Attorney General sole authority to enforce compliance, seek injunctions, and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for kiosk-related misconduct. For violations of court orders issued under this law, penalties can reach $100,000. The bill directly affects operators of digital financial kiosks and streamlines enforcement by applying established consumer fraud remedies to these new kiosk-specific violations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates digital kiosk fraud under consumer protection, imposing penalties to safeguard consumers from misconduct in digital financial transactions.85% confidence

Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 2005: A bill for an act providing for supplementary weighting for school districts that share career and technical education instructors.

This bill adds career and technical education (CTE) instructors to the list of shared operational roles eligible for additional state funding. School districts in Iowa that share CTE instructors (licensed for grades 5-12 in fields like agriculture, business, or IT) with other districts or political subdivisions for at least 20% of the school year will receive a supplementary weighting of two pupils per shared function. This supplemental funding aims to increase resources for student programming by encouraging shared staffing. The bill specifically defines CTE instructors as those holding a valid endorsement or authorization for grades 5-12.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides supplemental state funding (two pupils per shared CTE instructor) to school districts, directly increasing school finance resources for career education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds supplementary funding for CTE instructor sharing, increasing resources for student programming in career education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds IT career education programs via CTE instructor sharing, directly supporting technology workforce development in school districts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HF 2204: A bill for an act relating to the requirements for chatbot deployers, including required protocols, limitations on data collection, and requirements for minors to interact with artificial intelligence companions and therapeutic chatbots, and providing civil penalties, punitive penalties, and civil causes of action.

HF 2204 regulates chatbot developers and companies (called "deployers") that make AI chatbots publicly available. It requires deployers to implement safety protocols to detect and mitigate harm, limit user data collection to what's necessary, and verify users' ages to prevent minors from accessing certain chatbots. Specifically, it bans AI companions that simulate emotional bonds from being used by minors without age verification, prohibits impersonating people without permission (with limited exceptions), and sets strict rules for therapeutic chatbots (like mental health tools) to include disclaimers, professional recommendations, and safety testing. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $2,500 per incident or allow minors to sue for damages. The law does not apply to generic chatbots offering only basic responses without creating emotional connections.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots with data privacy limits, age verification for minors, and safety protocols to protect users and prevent harm.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Online Safety

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SSB 3028: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of management, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill establishes a dedicated "technology reinvestment fund" to finance state IT projects that modernize infrastructure and improve public services. It allocates $17.5 million annually starting in 2026-27 from the general fund, plus $18.27 million for 2025-26 from the Rebuild Iowa fund, specifically for hardware, software, and power systems. Projects must align with state priorities, demonstrate ROI, prioritize rural access, and include sustainability plans, with the Department of Management prioritizing them for the governor’s budget recommendations. The bill also requires annual project status reports to the legislature and includes provisions for background checks on IT staff and restrictions on problematic contract terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $17.5M annually from general fund for IT modernization, directing budget resources toward public service infrastructure per state priorities.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates $17.5M annually for IT modernization, prioritizes rural internet access, and mandates sustainability in tech infrastructure projects per bill's fund purpose and requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2218: A bill for an act relating to video recording systems in special education classrooms.

HF 2218 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to install video recording systems in every special education classroom. The bill mandates that these systems and all recordings comply with privacy laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). School districts must fund this requirement using existing state school foundation aid, without needing new state funding. The law directly affects all public schools operating special education classrooms in Iowa.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires video systems with FERPA compliance, strengthening privacy protections for student data in educational technology use.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 609: A bill for an act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.

HB 609 requires Iowa's workforce development board to create a statewide initiative addressing cyber and AI workforce needs, including developing K-12 curriculum standards for AI/cyber literacy, fostering university-industry partnerships for internships and degree programs, and establishing grant programs for training (subject to funding). It mandates the state board of education to set statewide AI/cyber literacy standards for all students from kindergarten through higher education, prioritize federal funding to bridge K-12 and college pathways, and create a voluntary school certification program based on self-attestation and limited department review. The department of education must also develop a community awareness program featuring a digital resource hub for at-risk groups and targeted educational content for demographics like seniors and law enforcement. These provisions apply directly to public schools, colleges, private industry partners, and community education efforts across Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates statewide AI/cyber literacy curriculum standards for K-12 students, directly advancing educational curriculum development per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI/cyber literacy standards, workforce training grants, and K-12 curriculum development for technology education, directly advancing tech workforce capacity and digital skills.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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