HF2585: Accessible Prescriptions

Requires the Iowa Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules ensuring that, by January 1, 2027, individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have other print disabilities can request and receive accessible prescription drug labels, bag tags, and medical guides from pharmacies. Pharmacies must provide these accessibility measures at no additional cost, or refer individuals to another pharmacy within a reasonable distance that does. Health carriers are required to compensate pharmacies with an enhanced dispensing fee to cover the associated costs. The Board must annually publish a list of compliant pharmacies and submit a progress report to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2028. The bill exempts institutional pharmacies, certain repository programs, and correctional facility pharmacies.

Key Points & Impact:

• Authorizes alternative ratemaking mechanisms for water/wastewater utilities to recover infrastructure costs via a 'system enhancement charge.'

• Defines eligible utilities, costs, and improvements—including only those projects not already in the utility’s rate base and excluding fines or penalties.

• Requires commission approval of a multi-year plan before utilities may recover costs; plan must include detailed financial, regulatory, and engineering documentation.

• Mandates annual applications for charge adjustments and revenue reconciliations; charges are based on meter size and exclude costs already recovered through other contributions.

• If project costs exceed initial estimates by over 25%, utilities must provide justification and obtain commission approval in the next rate case.

• Prohibits commission from approving charge adjustments if the utility has not had a general rate case order in the previous five years.

• Allows deferral and later recovery of eligible costs incurred before plan approval, as long as included in a subsequently approved plan.

• Exempts these petitions from public notice requirements and resets the charge to zero when new base rates are set in a general rate case.

Signed by Governor May 19, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.