Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders after they have issued a verbal warning not to approach. It directly affects individuals who might interfere with law enforcement officers, probation or parole officers, firefighters, or emergency medical providers performing their duties. The law prohibits approaching within the specified distance with the intent to impede the responder's work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. Violating this provision is classified as a serious misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,560. The bill defines harassment as conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose.
Rep. Blaine Watkins
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHF 2209 requires Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to admit at least 80% of students who are Iowa residents or attended eligible Iowa colleges. It prioritizes applicants planning to work in Iowa rural communities (under 25,000 people) and specialize in mixed-animal veterinary care. Applicants must disclose their Iowa background and career intentions in their applications. The university must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing admission statistics and reasons for rejections.
Maddy summaryHF 2145 prohibits the Iowa governor from closing, mandating restrictions on, or regulating places of worship during any emergency, including disaster declarations or public health crises. It directly affects all religious buildings in Iowa with an active congregation, ensuring they cannot be subject to executive orders under emergency powers. The bill explicitly defines "place of worship" as a building where a congregation regularly gathers for religious practice, blocking any governor-led restrictions during emergencies. This is a procedural measure limiting executive authority, not creating new regulations.
Maddy summaryHF 2427 updates Iowa law to allow additional officials to request removal of their names from public online documents maintained by county assessors and recorders. Currently, law enforcement personnel can request this redaction; the bill adds U.S. Senators, Representatives, statewide elected officials, state legislators, and local partisan elected officials to that list. County offices must redact the requester's name from electronic documents displayed online upon such a request. This change directly affects those officials seeking to protect their personal information in public records.
Maddy summaryHF 2077 modifies Iowa's education funding rules to allow school districts to use money from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund for increased insurance costs associated with employing individuals who hold professional permits to carry weapons under state law. The bill expands the definition of "school infrastructure" under the SAVE fund to specifically include these higher insurance premiums. This change directly affects school districts that hire permit holders for security roles, providing funding flexibility for related insurance expenses. The policy change is purely procedural, clarifying eligible uses of existing SAVE fund resources without altering the fund's overall purpose or creating new financial obligations.
Maddy summaryHF 2404 changes when school districts in Iowa can hold bond elections. It requires all school district bond votes to occur only on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years (like 2026 or 2028). This aligns school bond elections with the state's regular general election schedule, rather than allowing them on other dates. The bill directly affects school districts seeking voter approval for bond issues, ensuring these votes happen consistently with statewide elections. It does not apply to other political subdivisions or non-bond-related elections.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 13, 2025, enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria. It recognizes their service, sacrifice, and posthumous promotions to staff sergeant, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa National Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution formally expresses the House of Representatives' respect for their lives and sacrifice, and directs copies to be sent to their families as a gesture of recognition. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy or funding changes, solely intended to honor the fallen service members and their families.
Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes and congratulates the Kirkwood Community College women's basketball team on its historic 2025 season, including a 33-2 record and a fourth-place finish in the national tournament. It acknowledges the team's achievements, its coach Kim Muhl, and player Jenna Twedt. Upon adoption, a copy of the resolution will be sent to the Kirkwood Community College women’s basketball head coach and president.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 23 is a commemorative resolution recognizing and congratulating the Kirkwood Community College men’s basketball team for winning the 2025 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national championship. Upon adoption, a copy of the resolution will be transmitted to the team's head coach and the college president.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes and commends the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 50th anniversary. It highlights NCSL's role as a bipartisan organization supporting state legislatures through research, idea-sharing, and fostering cooperation. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses congressional appreciation and directs the House Chief Clerk to send a copy to NCSL.