Sen. Liz Bennett

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from Iowa's water quality infrastructure fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The funds will support the Iowa Nutrient Research Center in administering the Iowa Water Quality Information Systems, specifically using sensor technology to collect data on nutrient impacts. The primary purpose is to monitor how nutrients affect the state's surface waters, including rivers and lakes. This directly affects the data collection and monitoring capabilities of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the state's water quality management efforts.

Maddy summarySF 2260 gives Iowa counties authority to regulate the location and expansion of large livestock facilities (those with 1,000+ animal units, like 2,500 pigs). Counties must adopt siting ordinances to approve or deny construction/expansion of such facilities, requiring county board approval before work begins. The bill also allows counties to set stricter separation distances from homes or water sources than state law requires and mandates a state permit before county approval. This directly affects counties, livestock operators, and nearby residents by shifting regulatory control from state agencies to local governments for major facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2226) requires health insurance carriers in Iowa to use human clinical reviewers before automatically denying or downcoding claims submitted by health care providers. It mandates detailed written notices to providers explaining any automated denial or downcode, including the reason, policy justification, and appeal rights (with 30 days to appeal). Health carriers must also disclose their automated system use and oversight processes to the insurance commissioner and maintain documentation for five years. The law applies directly to health carriers (insurance companies, HMOs, etc.) and affects health care providers who submit claims for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2210) makes it a crime to commit sexual abuse by deceiving someone about your marital status to obtain their consent. It specifically targets situations where a person intentionally hides their marital status (e.g., falsely claiming to be single) and the other person would not have consented without that deception. If convicted, the offense is classified as a class "C" felony (up to 10 years in prison and a $1,370-$13,660 fine), and the perpetrator must register as a Tier III sex offender. The bill directly affects individuals who commit sexual abuse through marital status deception, expanding the definition of sexual abuse under Iowa law.

Maddy summarySF 2108 prohibits peace officers (including state troopers, city/county police, and federal/state agency officers) from wearing opaque facial coverings like balaclavas or tactical masks while performing duties. Exceptions include translucent face shields, medical masks, motorcycle helmets during operation, and equipment for hazardous conditions. Violating this law is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,560 fine. Crucially, if an officer commits misconduct like assault while violating this rule, they lose legal immunity and must pay at least $10,000 in damages to the affected person. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers' gear during public interactions.

Maddy summarySF 2106, the "Iowa Residential Rent Fairness and Anticollusion Act," prohibits landlords managing five or more properties from coordinating rent prices with other landlords or using algorithmic rent-setting systems that rely on nonpublic competitor data. It specifically bans software, AI, or automated tools that set rent based on secret data from other landlords without human review, treating this as price fixing. Violators face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per rental unit per month, injunctions, and restitution for tenants overcharged. The bill also requires landlords and algorithm providers to maintain records for five years and allows tenants to sue for damages if harmed by violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes regulations for businesses offering "human composting" (natural organic reduction), which converts human remains into soil. It requires facilities to obtain a license from Iowa's board of mortuary science, meet specific facility standards (including secure refrigeration and processing equipment), and follow strict handling procedures for bodies and remains. The law directly affects funeral homes and new composting businesses, requiring written authorization from decedents' designees, prohibiting commingling of remains, and mandating tracking systems. Key provisions include a $425 license fee, annual renewal requirements, and rules for accepting bodies only from licensed funeral homes.

Maddy summarySF 2104 requires large water use facilities in Iowa to report annual water usage to the Department of Natural Resources. It specifically targets facilities using 25,000+ gallons per day primarily engaged in data processing (NAICS 518210), ethyl alcohol manufacturing (NAICS 325193), or cryptocurrency mining. Each covered facility must submit detailed water usage reports by March 31 each year. The bill establishes a straightforward reporting obligation without altering water usage limits or imposing new restrictions.

Maddy summarySF 2047 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for covered insulin prescriptions at $25 per prescription for a 31-day supply. This applies to four specific insulin types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. The law affects insured individuals with diabetes who use covered insulin drugs under qualifying health plans, effective January 1, 2027. It does not apply to certain specialized coverage like Medicare supplements or short-term medical plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover annual low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening for specific at-risk individuals. It defines "at-risk" as people aged 40+ who smoke, have a family history of lung cancer, or have regular exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. Private insurance must cover these screenings without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays), effective January 1, 2027, for most health plans. Medicaid coverage is contingent on securing a federal waiver, after which it must also cover these screenings. The bill excludes certain specialized insurance types, such as accident-only or dental coverage, from these requirements.