Sen. Dave Rowley

Maddy summarySF 2167 requires all applicants for Class A, B, or C commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in Iowa to certify they’ve completed approved human trafficking prevention training as part of their driver’s education course. Driving schools offering such courses must include at least 30 minutes of English-only training on recognizing, preventing, and reporting human trafficking. The Iowa Department of Transportation must approve these training materials with education departments, make them publicly available, and update them every three years to reflect current trafficking trends. The bill directly affects CDL applicants and driving schools, with no cost or additional burden specified beyond the training requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Iowa's property tax credit system for low-income elderly and disabled residents, ensuring timely annual payments for property taxes or rent reimbursements. It streamlines the removal of abandoned mobile homes on rural property by allowing landowners or mobile home park operators to remove "valueless homes" (defined as abandoned homes with no market value) without court orders, requiring only 10 days' written notice to the county treasurer. The bill also updates tax sale rules to prevent splits or consolidations of land parcels during redemption periods or with unpaid taxes. These changes directly affect rural property owners, mobile home park operators, and low-income homeowners/renters.

Maddy summarySF 2181 requires Iowa's Department of Education to create a pilot program where one rural school district (defined by specific 2020 census population thresholds) and one urban school district (with at least 7,000 students) must establish attendance centers for students needing special education or facing behavioral challenges that interfere with learning. The bill mandates these districts to provide tailored educational services, report annually on student participation, academic performance, and program feedback, and redirect 48% of their special education funds toward the pilot. The program, set to expire July 1, 2031, will be monitored by the Department of Education and reported to the legislature each year. This directly affects eligible students in the designated districts and their schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Iowa's requirements for publishing official notices related to government proceedings. It mandates that counties, cities, school districts, and other entities publish hearing notices in a newspaper of general circulation (or post them in small communities) at least 4-20 days before the hearing, with specific timeframes varying by jurisdiction. The changes affect local governments, property owners (who receive notices about land assessments), and contractors (who get notice of project requests). Key provisions standardize publication timing and methods, such as requiring notices for compensation commissions to be published 4-20 days before meetings and allowing posting in small cities instead of newspapers. The bill focuses on procedural transparency without altering substantive policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2032) changes how counties collect special assessments for residential buildings or improvements on land leased from another owner. It allows counties to collect unpaid special assessments (like those for street improvements) through tax collection processes for qualifying properties - specifically, residential buildings or improvements valued at $20,000 or more. County treasurers must now send written notice to the landowner before starting tax collection for these properties. It directly affects landlords leasing land to builders and county tax collectors handling residential property assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Iowa's vehicle registration rules for nonresidents who own property in the state. It allows nonresident property owners to use an out-of-state driver's license number instead of providing the primary user's full details (like name, address, and Iowa ID) when registering a vehicle primarily used at their Iowa property. To qualify, applicants must submit reasonable proof of property ownership, and the state transportation department will establish rules for acceptable proof. The change applies only to vehicles registered under this exception, not general registration requirements.

Maddy summarySF 119 increases Iowa's minimum required auto insurance coverage for bodily injury or death to $50,000 per person (up from $20,000) and $100,000 for two or more people (up from $40,000), while raising property damage coverage to $25,000 (up from $15,000). These changes apply to all drivers in Iowa and align with existing requirements for transportation network company drivers (like Uber/Lyft). The bill also updates penalties for violations, increasing the fine for driving without coverage to $645 if involved in an accident (up from $325). It ensures insurance policies and judgments reflect the new coverage limits, matching current standards for ride-share services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Iowa's school infrastructure funding law to allow school districts to use SAVE Fund money for increased insurance costs tied to hiring individuals with professional permits to carry weapons under Iowa Code §724.6(1)(a)(3). It directly affects school districts by expanding the definition of "school infrastructure" to include these specific insurance expenses. The key mechanism is updating the statutory definition to explicitly cover such costs, making them eligible for reimbursement from the SAVE Fund. The bill does not create new requirements but clarifies existing fund usage for a defined category of insurance expenses.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the YMCA's 175th anniversary and expresses the Iowa Senate's appreciation for its community service. It highlights the YMCA's historical contributions, including founding programs like basketball and Father's Day, and its ongoing work serving over 250,000 Iowans annually through youth development, health initiatives, and social services. The resolution does not create new programs or change laws - it is a ceremonial expression of support for the YMCA's mission.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Iowa National Guard members killed in action during a December 2025 attack in Syria. It recognizes their military service, posthumous promotions, and sacrifices, while also acknowledging three wounded Iowa Guard soldiers from the same incident. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to the families of the two fallen soldiers as a formal tribute. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or legal effect but serves to memorialize their service.