Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryHF 2384 increases Iowa's maximum unemployment benefits for eligible workers. It raises the cap from 16 to 26 times a worker's weekly benefit amount during a benefit year. For workers laid off due to an employer's business closure, it increases the cap from 26 to 39 times the weekly benefit amount. This change directly affects unemployed Iowans who qualify for benefits, ensuring they receive more total support under these specific circumstances. The bill modifies how benefit limits are calculated based on prior earnings.

Maddy summaryHF 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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 109) formally honors the Jordan House Museum in West Des Moines, Iowa, for its 180+ years of historical service. It recognizes the museum's significance as a preserved 1850 Victorian home, an Underground Railroad site led by abolitionist James C. Jordan, and a center for educating the public about African American, Indigenous, and early Iowa history. The resolution directs copies to be sent to Iowa's congressional delegation, local historical societies, and national institutions like the Smithsonian museums. It is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally recognizes the 150th anniversary of the University of Northern Iowa's establishment in 1876. It directly affects the university by having the House of Representatives present a copy of the resolution to its leadership as a commemorative gesture. The bill does not change any laws or policies but instead serves to celebrate the institution's history and contributions to Iowa's education and economy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments, to register their agricultural land holdings in Iowa with the Secretary of State, with specific information about the land and owners to be filed. The key mechanism establishes that this registration data and related reports will remain confidential records, accessible only to the attorney general for law enforcement purposes and to state government officials for oversight. The legislation mandates an annual summary report of foreign landholdings to be provided to the governor and General Assembly, while maintaining restrictions on public access to these details. The bill applies to land interests acquired on or after January 1, 1980, and requires registration within 60 days of acquisition or the specified date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded health insurance subsidy program to help Iowans maintain affordable health coverage after federal subsidies expire in 2026. It establishes a new state fund that will provide financial assistance equal to the value of the federal premium tax credit that would have been available in 2025, ensuring residents do not lose coverage due to the federal funding reduction. The program requires applicants to submit standard health insurance application information including income and immigration status, with subsidies potentially available retroactively from January 1, 2026. State agencies will develop an online application system, and the bill appropriates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these subsidies until federal credits are restored.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes and funds the Firsthome program and the Military Home Ownership Assistance Program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority. The Firsthome program provides grants up to $10,000 for down payments and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers who meet income, credit score, and debt-to-income requirements while completing homebuyer education. The Military Home Ownership Assistance Program receives a $2.2 million state appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to continue offering financial assistance to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces purchasing homes. The bill also defines eligibility criteria, including specific service history requirements for military personnel and their surviving spouses, and requires the Finance Authority to adopt rules to implement the programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes funding and programs to improve water quality in Iowa through agricultural best management practices, tax credits, and monitoring initiatives. It allocates approximately $28 million to support a water quality monitoring network and the water quality initiative, which will help farmers implement practices that reduce nutrient pollution in watersheds. The legislation creates a tax credit for agricultural operations that install eligible water quality practices and expands funding for the Iowa Clean Water Farm Program to encourage voluntary adoption of conservation measures. Additionally, the bill provides for water quality practices loans and establishes a cost-share program where the state may contribute up to 50 percent of the cost for eligible projects, while also supporting urban soil and water conservation efforts.