Rep. Sam Wengryn

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 668 creates legal immunity from criminal and civil lawsuits for people who use reasonable force in self-defense, defense of others, or protection of property. It establishes a presumption that the person reasonably believed force was necessary to stop imminent unlawful force. The bill requires law enforcement to have probable cause before arresting someone for justified force use and mandates a pretrial hearing within 14 days to determine immunity, placing the burden of proof (clear and convincing evidence) on the party challenging the immunity. This directly affects individuals involved in defensive force incidents and law enforcement handling such cases.

Maddy summaryThis Iowa bill (HF 2332) prohibits most elective abortions after the second trimester and creates criminal penalties for "feticide" (intentionally causing fetal death during pregnancy). It defines "elective abortion" narrowly - excluding miscarriage treatment, medical emergencies, and procedures to save the mother's life - and bans knowingly performing or aiding such procedures. Feticide is classified as a felony (class C or D depending on intent), while unintentional fetal death during non-forcible crimes is a lesser offense. The law directly affects pregnant individuals seeking later-term abortions, healthcare providers, and anyone assisting in such procedures, with exceptions only for medical emergencies or preserving maternal life.

Maddy summaryHF 2180 establishes a state-funded grant program to help Iowa veterans obtain service animal training. It appropriates $100,000 annually starting in 2026 to provide eligible veterans with grants of up to $5,000 per lifetime, paid directly to accredited Iowa-based training organizations. To qualify, veterans must be state residents meeting department-defined criteria, and organizations must maintain a physical Iowa location and meet accreditation standards. The program requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set rules for accreditation, application processes, and fund oversight, while coordinating outreach with local veteran service offices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Iowa Code 43.101 to rename one county central committee officer position from "co-chair" to "vice chair." It does not change the duties, responsibilities, or election process for this role. The change applies solely to the title used for this specific officer position within local county central committees. This is a purely procedural update with no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryHF 2225 creates a tax credit for Iowa residents who paid nonresident tuition at state universities and later work in the state as health care professionals, teachers, licensed veterinarians, or professional engineers. The credit equals 100% of the difference between the nonresident and resident tuition rates they paid during their studies, available within three years of graduation while employed in Iowa. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future income tax, but it is not refundable and does not apply to nonresidents. The bill requires the Board of Regents to publish historical tuition rates online and applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2026.

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 summaryHF 565 establishes a partial property tax exemption for certain residential properties. This exemption applies to homes purchased from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by owners who qualify for the homestead tax credit. To be eligible, the sale must be made to provide housing in an area declared a major disaster or disaster emergency. The exemption lasts for four assessment years, starting at 80% of the property's actual value in the first year and decreasing by 20% each subsequent year.

Maddy summaryHF 240 requires pipeline applicants in Iowa to provide proof of sufficient insurance or surety before a hazardous liquid pipeline permit is granted. This insurance must cover damages from pipeline discharges (both negligent and intentional), property damage from construction or leaks, and increased insurance costs or inability to obtain insurance for nearby residents. Pipeline companies must either purchase insurance for affected residents or reimburse them for higher premiums caused by the pipeline's presence. The bill was recommended for passage by committees but was withdrawn on March 31, 2025.