Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2175) makes broad changes to Iowa's education system, primarily affecting charter schools, nonpublic schools, and public school districts. It modifies charter school funding formulas to include additional state cost components, adds charter school employees to the state retirement system, and allows students in charter or nonpublic schools to participate in public school sports under specific conditions (e.g., no prior participation by their school and payment of fees). The bill also designates charter schools as local education agencies for federal funding access and authorizes the Iowa Finance Authority to issue bonds for charter and nonpublic school facilities. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.
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Maddy summarySJR 2008 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Iowa General Assembly supporting the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and the transfer of education authority to state and local governments. It argues that federal education regulations have caused inefficiency and stagnant student reading scores despite high spending, and that states are better positioned to address local educational needs. The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with efforts to dissolve the Department of Education, citing the Tenth Amendment as the constitutional basis for state control. This resolution does not change federal policy but formally expresses Iowa's position on education governance.
Maddy summarySF 2345 requires local health departments, schools, childcare centers, and colleges to include clear information about immunization exemption rules in all public communications about vaccines. It directly affects parents, guardians, and institutions like elementary/secondary schools, childcare facilities, and higher education institutions. The bill mandates this information be provided in written materials, websites, and registration documents, with a $1,000 civil penalty for each failure to comply. Penalties collected go to the state general fund, but the law does not change exemption eligibility or vaccine requirements.
Maddy summaryIowa's Senate Joint Resolution 2011 is a state application requesting Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention. The resolution specifically seeks to propose amendments that would limit federal government power and jurisdiction, impose spending limits on the federal budget, and establish term limits for members of Congress and federal officials. This is a procedural request from Iowa's legislature, not a law that would take effect immediately. The resolution states it remains active until two-thirds of states apply for a similar convention or Iowa withdraws, and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to federal and state officials as required by Article V.
Maddy summarySF 2200 requires all Iowa school districts, charter schools, and area education agencies to implement specific email security standards by January 1, 2027. The law mandates email security solutions that filter spam/malware, use AI for threat detection, block impersonation attacks, prevent data leaks of student information, and encrypt sensitive emails. Key provisions include scanning for personally identifiable information in emails, automatic encryption for confidential content, and comprehensive logging for compliance. Costs will be covered using existing state school foundation aid, with noncompliance defined as failing to meet all technical requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2170) modifies Iowa's concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students (grades 9-12) to take college courses at community colleges. Its key change requires students to enroll in in-person course sections at community colleges unless a school superintendent specifically authorizes online enrollment. The bill also maintains requirements for school districts to approve courses for academic rigor, provide written notices about course details to students and parents, and ensure comparable courses aren’t already offered locally. These changes aim to standardize enrollment procedures while preserving the program’s goal of offering rigorous academic options. The bill does not alter funding or eligibility but clarifies operational rules for the existing program.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires students (or their parents/guardians if the student is a minor) to reimburse school districts if they fail a community college course taken through the district-to-community college concurrent enrollment program. Specifically, if a student fails a class offered by a community college or taught by a community college instructor, the school district can request payment equal to the amount it paid the college for that student's participation. The reimbursement applies only to the district's direct costs for that specific course, not to the student's regular tuition or fees. This policy directly affects high school students in Iowa's concurrent enrollment programs who fail a college-level course.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2100) prevents Iowa counties from banning industrial or commercial businesses operating outside city limits from storing business-related items on their property, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects small, independently owned businesses outside city boundaries that own their property, have no more than one such location in the county, and employ 30 or fewer people. The key provision requires counties to allow storage in a building for these businesses, regardless of local zoning rules, as long as all five conditions (ownership, single location, independent operation, employee limit, and property ownership) are satisfied. The bill does not change zoning rules for businesses within city limits or for larger operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2001) restricts the sale or offer for sale of specific firearm devices known as "trigger cranks." A trigger crank is defined as a device attached to a firearm that repeatedly activates the trigger using a circular lever motion, excluding weapons originally designed to fire via crank. Selling such devices is classified as an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in jail and fines up to $8,540. The bill clarifies and narrows the existing restriction to only apply to these specific devices, not all rapid-fire attachments.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Iowa counties and cities to create local regulations for burials on private property that isn't operated as a cemetery. It mandates that property owners notify the county or city after a burial occurs, with no minimum standards beyond this notification. Counties and cities must allow burials if all applicable laws are followed, but they assume no liability for any damages resulting from such burials. The law applies to private land outside city limits (counties) and within city boundaries (cities), focusing solely on notification and liability protection.