Bills Associated with League of Women Voters of Iowa

Strengthens Iowa’s response to human trafficking by requiring annual stakeholder meetings for the next five years to develop legislative proposals to combat human trafficking (report due annually on 12/1).  Defines “commercial sexual exploitation” to juvenile justice code section. Establishes new screening and referral protocols for children potentially subject to commercial sexual exploitation (when referred for child abuse or during intake for juvenile delinquency). Extends some civil statute of limitations for sexual assault and adds human trafficking.  Minors will have up to five years after turning age 18 to file a civil action (or up to five years following the discovery of the sexual assault/human trafficking, if they were adult when they realized it happened). Gives more discretion to prosecutors to allow them to waive arrest and prosecution of a victim of human trafficking and instead refer them to Iowa HHS as a “child in need of assistance.” Moves victim compensation orders in human trafficking cases up to “category A,” which means they will be paid first before other restitution (this was done in the victim rights bill below for all other sexual assault and domestic violence cases). Finally, the bill directs the Iowa HHS to develop a plan for increased restoration facilities, and clarifies that minors engaged in sex work are not to be prosecuted but referred for protective services.

Key Points & Impacts

• Creates an annual stakeholder meeting and report to the governor and legislature on human trafficking, involving representatives from law enforcement, legal, advocacy, and survivor communities.

• Defines 'commercial sexual exploitation' and mandates that all juvenile complaints must be screened with a standardized human trafficking indicator list, and if indicators are present, children must be further screened using evidence-based, trauma-informed tools.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to screen all children subject to child abuse allegations for commercial sexual exploitation using trauma-informed tools.

• Extends the civil statute of limitations for actions related to child sexual abuse or human trafficking from one year to five years after reaching majority, and from four to five years after discovery of injury for adults.

• Expands the definition of human trafficking to include 'patronizing' and 'soliciting.'

• Prohibits prosecution or charging of minors under 18 engaged in prostitution, instead requiring referral to protective services and/or temporary custody.

• Modifies restitution categories by moving crime victim compensation program reimbursements from 'Category B' to 'Category A' and clarifies eligible restitution recipients.

• Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan (with nonprofit input) to increase restoration facilities and protective services for juvenile trafficking victims, including those not involved in the court system, and to report to the governor and legislature by December 15, 2025.

Establishes a Seal of Civics Excellence program to honor students graduating from high school who have shown proficiency in civics. The Iowa Department of Education will set requirements for earning the seal, such as knowledge of American government and civic engagement. Participation by schools is voluntary, and the department may charge a nominal fee to cover costs. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impact:

• Adds a new Seal of Civics Excellence program to Iowa law, administered by the Department of Education.

• Recognizes students graduating from high school who demonstrate proficiency in civics, including knowledge of American government and participation in civic/community activities.

• Department of Education will set the minimum requirements for students to earn the seal.

• The seal may be represented as a sticker for transcripts or a certificate, and must be affixed to the diploma and noted on the transcript of qualifying students.

• Participation in the seal program is voluntary for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools.

• Schools must notify the department of qualifying students, and the department will provide the appropriate number of seals or endorsements.

• Department may charge a nominal fee to cover printing and mailing costs for the seal.

• The bill amends existing statute by replacing references from 'subsection' to 'paragraph' to accommodate the addition of the new civics seal paragraph.

Eliminates the requirement that only state employees eligible for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 can receive paid parental leave. Instead, all state employees will be provided paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, as long as the leave is taken within twelve months of the event.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Removes the requirement that state employees must be eligible for leave under the federal FMLA to receive paid parental leave.

• Expands eligibility for paid parental leave to all state employees, regardless of FMLA eligibility.

• Paid leave is available for both the birth and adoption of a child.

• The paid parental leave must be taken within twelve months following the birth or adoption.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Takes effect April 30, 2026.

Requires subacute mental health treatment facilities to develop an initial treatment plan for residents within 24 hours of admission. Creates timelines for insurance preauthorization determinations for subacute mental health services. Establishes an electronic system to track psychiatric bed availability for children and mandates a collaborative review of administrative rules to eliminate barriers to facility access and workforce flexibility. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with reviewing the feasibility of expanding subacute and psychiatric inpatient services at the Independence MHI (report due . Effective 4/16/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires subacute care facilities to develop an initial treatment plan with a resident within 24 hours of admission.

• Establishes strict deadlines for insurance preauthorization requests for subacute mental health services (if submitted through portal designated by HHS): 48 hours for urgent, 5 days for nonurgent, and 10 days for nonurgent complex cases. MCOs also required to adhere to these timeframes.

• Directs Iowa HHS to create an electronic bed tracking system for psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs).

• Mandates interdepartmental review and elimination of administrative rules that impede establishment, expansion, or access to subacute mental health facilities unless a rule provides equal or greater benefit.

• Requires loosening of employment requirements at subacute mental health facilities, making them less stringent than those at state mental health institutes (MHIs).

• Directs Iowa HHS to assess the feasibility and costs of expanding subacute and psychiatric services at the Independence MHI, including the potential for private partnerships (report due 1/4/2027).

• Allows Iowa HHS to provide subacute mental health care services at the Independence MHI if it can do so within its budget, starting July 1, 2026, unless the Legislature directs otherwise.

Establishes that pregnant minors in Iowa can legally consent to receiving certain medical care—specifically prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care—if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian is not reasonably available. Health care providers are still required to obtain informed consent from the minor for such procedures.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Creates a new section (135.196) in Iowa law regarding minor consent for pregnancy care.

• Allows pregnant minors to consent to prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care if a parent, guardian, or custodian is not reasonably available.

• Applies to care provided by physicians, physician designees, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and emergency medical care providers.

• Does not remove the requirement for health care providers to obtain informed consent from the pregnant minor.

• Clarifies legal authority for minors in situations where parental figures cannot be reached.

• Aims to ensure timely access to essential pregnancy-related medical care for minors.

Signed by Governor on April 9. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

This legislation mandates that individuals applying for their first class A, B, or C commercial driver’s license in Iowa must complete a minimum 30-minute human trafficking prevention training, using department-approved materials. The training must be in English and focus on recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking. The Iowa Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Education and State Board of Education, is tasked with approving and updating training materials at least every three years. Rules may be adopted to administer these requirements, and the law applies from March 1, 2027, or upon implementation of a new records system, whichever is earlier.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires completion of at least a 30-minute human trafficking prevention course for initial applicants of class A, B, or C commercial driver’s licenses.

• Applicants must certify successful completion of the course to the Department of Transportation.

• Training must use department-approved materials and be conducted in English.

• The Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Department of Education and State Board of Education, will approve and update training materials at least every three years.

• Approved training materials must address recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking and be made publicly available.

• The law authorizes the Department of Transportation to adopt necessary administrative rules.

• Applicability begins March 1, 2027, or earlier if a new records system is implemented and announced.

• No appropriations or funding provisions are included in this bill.

Signed by Governor May 15, 2026. Takes effect on or after March 1, 2027, or the date the department of transportation submits to the Iowa administrative code editor for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin a statement by the director of transportation that the applicable phase of the department of transportation's new records system is implemented, whichever is earlier. 

Appropriates $714.3 million for the public safety, public defense, emergency management, justice, and victim services programs and agencies for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026. This is an increase of $11.2 million. Attorney General: Increases funding for victim services by $365,115 (total appropriation $5,541,708) - $75,000 of these new funds are used to boost services to human trafficking victims (total appropriation $225,000). Adds $165,000 to fund business specialty courts (if SF 638 is signed into law). Maintains $150,000 transfer from victim compensation fund to victim services. No change for Office of Consumer Advocate ($3.8 million). Prisons/Community Based Corrections: Increases funding for prisons by $3,214,000 and Department of Corrections' administration by $1,854,222.  Increases community based corrections by $706,778 and continues requirement for drug courts. Other: Increases funding for the Office of Drug Control Policy by $21,327 ($249,219 total). No change in funding for the office to combat human trafficking ($200,742). Reduces indigent defense funding for the public defender's office by $1,150,000. Increases court-appointed counsel rates by $5/case ($93/hour for class A felonies; $88;/hour for class B felonies; $83/hour for all other cases). Creates an Attorney Loan Repayment Program in the Iowa College Student Aid Commission to encourage lawyers to stay and practice in Iowa (must have gone to a law school in Iowa, be practicing in Iowa, have graduated law school within five years of applying for loan repayment, and agree to provide a base number of hours for indigent defense, with priority for those practicing in rural areas). Repayment of up to $10,000/year is available for up to 25 attorneys/year (not to exceed a total of 150 in the program at one time). Ends the program on July 1, 2041.  Increases civil filing fees, divorce filing fees, small claims appeals, motions to show cause, liens, real estate titles, and other similar court documents by $20. The revenues from the $20 fee increase for all but divorce filings goes to indigent defense (50%) and attorney loan repayment program (50%).  Beginning July 1, 2026, 20% of the entire divorce filing fee goes to sexual assault and domestic violence programs (victim services), which was supposed to be happening but all was going to the general fund. Beginning July 1, 2027 and each year after, the 20% of divorce filing fees shifts to the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) Center grant program (contingent upon passage of HF 2794). You can read more detail at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605165.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026.

Establishes a grant program to fund a nonprofit Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center, administered by the Department of Justice. Contingent upon funding, the Attorney General is authorized to contract with an eligible nonprofit organization to operate and maintain sexual assault forensic examination centers across Iowa. Eligible nonprofits must be independent from hospitals or health systems, employ or make available sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain treatment facilities focused on serving sexual assault survivors, and have survivor services as their primary purpose. Contracting organizations must provide medical forensic services to diverse populations (including adults, persons with disabilities, and rural Iowans), offer training to law enforcement and health professionals, use a cooperative team approach, consult with multidisciplinary experts on complex sexual assault cases, and submit annual reports to the Attorney General and General Assembly by January 15 each year.The bill also authorizes the Department of Justice to accept gifts, grants, bequests, private contributions, and state or federal moneys. Takes effect July 1, 2026.  Funding is provided in the Justice Systems Budget.

Key Points & Impacts

• Creates new Iowa Code Section 915.47 establishing the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center Grant Program in the Department of Justice

• Authorizes the Attorney General, contingent upon funding, to contract with an eligible nonprofit to operate sexual assault forensic examination centers statewide

• Requires eligible nonprofits to be Iowa-incorporated under chapter 504, independent of hospitals/health systems, and employ sexual assault nurse examiners

• Mandates contracting organizations serve diverse populations including adults, persons with disabilities, rural Iowans, and other underserved groups

• Requires training for law enforcement, prosecutors, health care professionals, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention

• Mandates a multidisciplinary cooperative team approach addressing complex cases involving intimate partner violence, human trafficking, incest, and drug-facilitated sexual assault

• Requires annual reports by January 15 to the Attorney General and General Assembly with aggregated, anonymized client demographics, services, referrals, and identified service gaps

• Creates a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Center Grant Program Trust Fund, appropriating all deposited moneys (gifts, grants, state/federal funds) to the Department of Justice with interest retained in the fund.

Updates and clarifies the rights of crime victims and the responsibilities of criminal justice and support systems. Notable changes include revisions to confidentiality for victim counselors, expansion of who qualifies as a victim counselor, modifications to protective order durations and conditions, significant tightening of sex offender registration timelines, enhanced rights and information for sexual abuse victims, further protections related to sexual assault forensic evidence handling, new procedures for mental competency hearings, changes in restitution payment prioritization, and updates to the administration of victim rights programs and definitions.

Key Points & Impacts

• Expands and clarifies confidentiality protections for communications between victims and victim counselors, including under what circumstances these may be disclosed.

• Narrows and standardizes the qualification and training requirements for victim counselors, focusing on department-approved or contracted training only.

• Allows protective orders for sexual offense victims to extend for the duration of the court's jurisdiction, with the possibility for lifetime protection and without limitation on the number of extensions.

• Shortens deadlines from five to three business days for sex offenders to register, update, or report changes in residence, employment, or student status, and adds new requirements to report vehicles and employment details.

• Mandates law enforcement to store sexual assault kits for 20 years (or the lifetime of a minor victim), with written notice to victims prior to disposal and the right for victims to request further preservation.

• Expands the list of specific victim rights and clarifies notification, including detailed rights regarding sexual assault examination kits and procedures.

• Revises procedures for mental competency hearings, including rights for independent evaluations and new criteria for handling cases where restoration to competency is not probable.

• Alters the order of restitution payments, elevating pecuniary damages and fines, and clarifies definitions and priorities for victim compensation program reimbursements.

Signed by Governor May 6, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026. Crime victim compensation program takes effect July 1, 2027.

Create the "medical ethics defense act," creating new legal protections for medical practitioners and health care institutions who refuse to participate in or pay for health care services that violate their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs ('conscience'). The law prohibits discrimination for exercising these rights, shields practitioners and institutions from liability for such refusals, and grants whistleblower protections for reporting violations. It also protects free speech and expressive activities related to medical ethics, sets procedures and penalties for regulatory agencies, and provides remedies for unlawful interference. The Act explicitly maintains emergency medical care requirements and upholds confidentiality laws.  Effective July 1, 2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Defines 'conscience' for both individuals and entities, and prohibits discrimination against practitioners or institutions refusing services based on conscience objections.

• Prohibits civil, criminal, and administrative liability for good-faith exercise of conscience by practitioners or health care institutions, including for actions by employees or contractors.

• Provides whistleblower protections for practitioners or institutions who report suspected violations, participate in proceedings, or disclose information about legal or ethical violations, mismanagement, or patient safety concerns.

• Prohibits state agencies and licensing boards from reprimanding or revoking licenses/certifications for protected speech or expressive activity unless direct patient harm is proven by clear and convincing evidence.

• Requires agencies to notify practitioners/institutions within 21 days of complaints regarding protected speech, with a $500/day penalty for noncompliance.

• Allows civil actions and remedies for unlawful interference with conscience rights, whistleblower protections, or free speech, including injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees.

• Clarifies that no additional burden or expense to other providers or institutions is a defense to violating these protections, and that other legal rights and remedies remain intact.

• Explicitly excludes appropriations, focusing on legal rights, liabilities, and penalties, not on funding or budget allocations.

• Includes severability clause (so if part of the bill is struck down in the courts, the rest of the bill remains in effect).

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

Limits civil or criminal liability for damages or injuries allegedly caused by the actual or potential effects on climate from greenhouse gas emissions, specifically those from agricultural or renewable fuel sources. Defendants are protected from liability unless it is proven, by clear and convincing evidence, that they violated a statutory greenhouse gas emission limit or an express permit term. The bill further clarifies that it does not create a new private right of action or judicial remedy based on greenhouse gas emissions' effects on climate.

Key Points & Impacts

• Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for alleged climate impacts caused by greenhouse gas emissions, unless specific legal violations are proven.

• Covers greenhouse gases originating from agricultural sources (e.g., farm animals, crops) and renewable fuel sources.

• Defines relevant terms including 'agricultural commodity,' 'agricultural source,' 'greenhouse gas,' and 'regulatory authority.'

• Requires plaintiffs to specify the particular greenhouse gas emitted and prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that direct and unavoidable harm resulted from a violation of an enforceable statute or permit.

• District courts must find clear and convincing evidence of statutory or permit violations for liability to attach.

• Immunity applies regardless of the type of legal or equitable relief sought in civil or criminal actions.

• Explicitly states that the chapter does not create new rights to sue or new judicial remedies related to greenhouse gas emissions' climate effects.

• Limits liability only when emissions are within legal limits or permit conditions, making regulatory compliance a key shield against lawsuits.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Repeals the Board of Regents’ minority and women educators enhancement program, which aimed to recruit minority and women educators to faculty positions at regents institutions and included policy requirements to support faculty who are principal caregivers. It also removes annual reporting requirements related to this program and repeals all associated statutory provisions.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Repeals the Board of Regents’ minority and women educators enhancement program, ending initiatives to recruit minority and women faculty at regents institutions.

• Eliminates requirements for the Board of Regents to develop and implement tenure, promotion, and hiring policies recognizing the needs of faculty who are principal caregivers.

• Strikes the requirement for the Board of Regents to submit an annual report to the General Assembly on the program's progress and implementation.

• Amends reporting language to remove references to educators and specific programs in the annual reports to the General Assembly.

• Repeals Iowa Code sections 262.81 and 262.82, which establish and govern the minority and women educators enhancement program.

• Reduces the scope of reports to the legislature by removing distinct reporting on minority and women educator initiatives.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Repeals and replaces Iowa's current habitual offender statute. It creates new classifications for qualifying offenses (level one and level two), assigns point values to each, and establishes habitual offender status at three or more points. The bill increases the minimum term a habitual offender must serve before being eligible for parole or work release to 20 years, unless the underlying offense carries a higher minimum. Sentencing for habitual offenders is no longer capped at 15 years but is now governed by the new provisions. Conforming amendments are made to sentencing statutes.  The expected fiscal impact is huge - $1.972 billion in one-time construction costs for new prisons and $115.6 million in annual operational costs.  Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Repeals and replaces the existing habitual offender statute in Iowa Code 902.8.

• Defines 'level one offenses' (all felonies and certain aggravated misdemeanors) and 'level two offenses' (specific aggravated and serious misdemeanors).

• Establishes a point system: level one offenses are worth 1 point; level two offenses are worth 0.5 points.

• Habitual offender status is reached when convictions total three or more points.

• Requires habitual offenders to serve a minimum of 20 years before eligibility for parole or work release.

• If the current offense requires a longer minimum sentence, that term supersedes the 20-year minimum.

• Removes the previous 15-year maximum confinement for habitual offenders.

• Updates sentencing language to reference the new habitual offender provisions.

This bill makes substantial changes to Iowa's education code, particularly regarding summative assessment administration, curriculum content for K-12 (including kindergarten and health education), and requirements for both public and nonpublic schools. Notable changes include the restructuring of required assessments, expansion and clarification of health curriculum requirements, removal of certain equity and diversity mandates, and changes to school compliance procedures. It also clarifies that funding for state mandates will come from existing state aid, with no new appropriations. Some provisions apply to charter and innovation schools to ensure parity with public school requirements. Effective 7/1/2026 (social studies requirement effective 7/1/2027).

Key Points & Impacts

• Restructures statewide assessment requirements: clarifies grades and subjects for math, ELA, science, and adds social studies assessments in grades 8 and 11.

• Removes language requiring assessment alignment with the 'Iowa common core' and instead references Iowa standards; clarifies federal compliance applies only 'if applicable.'

• Removes state rules mandating multicultural, gender-fair, and global perspectives in curriculum and instruction across all grades; eliminates requirement to develop and distribute standards of practice for equity coordinators.

• Expands and specifies required content in health curriculum for grades 1-12, now listing explicit topics (e.g., communicable diseases, physical fitness, nutrition, substance use, CPR, and prevention/control of disease).

• Allows additional mathematics units to include agriculture and clarifies inclusion of applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing, broadening curricular options.

• Adjusts guidance counselor requirements to mandate collaborative work with parents/guardians and specifies goals for academic, career, and social development.

• Mandates that students may not serve on committees related to school library material removal decisions, applying this to charter and innovation schools as well.

• Specifies that school district compliance costs for new mandates are to be covered by existing state foundation aid; no new appropriations are provided.

The bill strikes numerous provisions from Iowa law that require or reference affirmative action, race, gender, or citizenship in state employment, contracting, and educational programs. It removes the obligation to develop affirmative action plans, report on minority or gender representation, and utilize minority, women’s, or disadvantaged business enterprises. Instead, emphasis is placed on equal opportunity and the use of Iowa-based businesses. Several grant and educational programs targeting minorities are redefined or repealed. The bill also eliminates citizenship as a protected status for purposes of eligibility for professional licensing. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Eliminates all state-mandated affirmative action planning, reporting, and related administrative positions/responsibilities within state agencies, Board of Regents, and education entities.

• Removes requirements to track or report on minority, gender, or disadvantaged status in state employment and contracting; reporting shifts to focus on Iowa-based businesses only.

• Strikes requirements that state agencies or educational institutions develop or report on affirmative action or minority recruitment/retention standards.

• Repeals or redefines several grant and education programs previously limited to or focused on minorities, removing race-based eligibility and references.

• Removes explicit protections based on citizenship status for applicants for professional licenses (health care, architecture, engineering, real estate, accounting, etc.), though still requires non-discrimination on other bases.

• Removes race/ethnic minority considerations from certificate of need review for health services and other state program eligibility criteria.

• Repeals requirements for minority impact statements in state grant applications and eliminates related reporting and compliance mandates.

• Directs code editors to update Iowa Code accordingly and to transfer certain code sections as a result of these changes.

Makes changes in the process for Iowans accessing medications that induce an abortion (mifepristone, misoprostol).  Division I: Redefines 'abortion' to exclude miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and loss of pregnancy where not all products of conception are expelled. Division II: Mandates in-person physician examinations and coercion screening before abortions are performed and requires the physician to refer a woman to an appropriate provider when coercion is detected.  Uses the term "chemical abortion" instead of "medication abortion" and adds the definition in Iowa Code.  Defines pregnancy as starting at fertilization. Establishes new consent and information disclosure requirements for chemical abortions, including a signed acknowledgement that they were informed of a list of risks (which are purportedly included in warning labels for the medication). Physicians must also advise the pregnant woman on how to access emergency surgical intervention if necessary. Does not require informed consent when chemical abortion is performed in response to a medical emergency. The Board of Medicine must adopt rules on this and physicians who fail to comply with this are subject to licensing discipline.  Division III: Restricts the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs by an authorized provider directly to the pregnant woman in a healthcare setting (i.e. no telehealth). States that this does not apply to emergency situations. Introduces a broad private cause of action against unauthorized dispensing, sets statutory damages that includes attorney fees and court costs, and provides for disciplinary action against noncompliant licensees. States that the civil suit can be brought by any "interested party," defined as the woman who had the abortion or a personal representative of the woman.  Keeps the name of the woman receiving the abortion confidential in court proceedings and states that this is not to be construed to impose civil or criminal liability on the woman receiving the abortion care.  Division IV: Expands termination of pregnancy reporting requirements to include whether misoprostol was used (currently only mifepristone must be disclosed).  Includes new reporting requirement for miscarriages - but only if mifepristone or misoprostol were used with 14 days prior to miscarriage. Repeals 146C (fetal heartbeat law). 

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

Prohibits cities and local governments in Iowa from enacting any ordinance or law related to civil rights protections that are broader or include different protected classes than those established under the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. It strikes current language allowing local governments to adopt broader protections and removes related provisions from the law.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Adds language explicitly prohibiting cities and local governments from enacting ordinances or laws that are broader or have different protected categories of unfair or discriminatory practices than state law.

• Strikes the provision that previously allowed local governments to adopt ordinances with broader or different categories of unfair or discriminatory practices.

• Limits the authority of local governments to only those civil rights protections provided by state law, preempting local expansions.

• Potentially nullifies existing local civil rights ordinances that provide protections beyond those recognized at the state level.

• Reduces local government flexibility to address discrimination based on categories not currently recognized in state law.

• Applies to all areas covered by the Iowa Civil Rights Act, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit practices.

Requires all public assistance programs (childcare assistance, food assistance/SNAP, Family Investment Program/FIP, and Medicaid) use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) online service to determine if a person has the legal status or citizenship to be eligible. Puts the definition of "alien" in Iowa law (meaning a person not a citizen or national of the US).  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Changes: Requires Iowa HHS to consider the income and financial resources of ALL household members in determining eligibility, including those that are otherwise not eligible for SNAP.  Requires SNAP recipients to be a legal resident of the US (citizen/national, lawfully admitted alien, Cuban/Haitian, Marshallese/Compact of Free Association). Requires quarterly SNAP error rate reports be sent to Legislature (as well as USDA).  Requires Iowa HHS to submit a waiver to allow all unused SNAP benefits to be taken out of a person's account if not used within 3 months (91 days). Requires Iowa HHS to also submit a waiver to allow SNAP administrators to use other databases to confirm eligibility (including third party automated asset verification services and  automated employment verification services). Medicaid/Iowa Health & Wellness Plan Changes: Eliminates all retroactive eligibility for individuals who are not pregnant, a child, or a nursing home resident (and requires Iowa HHS to submit a waiver to do this).  Pregnant persons, children, and nursing home residents are allowed up to 2 months retroactive eligibility (effective 1/1/2027).  This latter part aligns with federal law (OBBB/HR 1).  Prohibits Iowa HHS from asking for a waiver or state plan amendment to enact retroactive eligibility for any group other than those noted above.  Medicaid Managed Care: Does not codify managed care, but does make it next to impossible for a new administration to get rid of it.  All MCOs in Iowa are health maintenance organizations (aka "HMOs").  They pay an HMO tax that goes into the Medicaid fund and is matched by federal funds. The bill expressly prohibits Iowa HHS from taking any action that would reduce the HMO tax going into Medicaid (without legislative approval).  If the state were to get rid of MCOs, they would no longer be paying the HMO tax, which would reduce the HMO tax going to Medicaid.  That would be against this new law.  So in effect, this change would stop any move Medicaid back to a fully fee-for-service system.  Medicaid Waivers & State Plan Amendments: Requires all future changes to Medicaid (state plan amendments and waivers) be expenditure neutral, meaning they do not increase spending for Medicaid, unless the Legislature directs this change to be made.  So this limits the ability of a new administration from making any changes without legislative approval, unless they either save money or do not cost the state more. This exempts changes and request  made prior to 1/1/2026 (even if not approved before the bill goes into effect).  So this should not impact the state's efforts to consolidate HCBS waivers.  Medicaid Exceptions to Policy: Requires Iowa HHS to make the following information public: 1) number of exceptions to policy granted; 2) types of exceptions to policy granted; 3) total cost of exceptions to policy granted; and 4) identifiable trends (number of exceptions in a particular geographic area; type of Medicaid services; and classification of individuals granted exceptions to policy.  This part of the bill is effective 1/1/2027.  Other Changes: Requires Iowa HHS to continue the "hospital directed payment program" (provider tax that brings in more federal matching funds). Requires Iowa HHS to set up an online system that allows Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MEPD) members to pay their premiums electronically. Makes the bill effective upon enactment.

Signed by Governor June 2, 2026. Takes effect January 1, 2027.

The bill makes comprehensive changes to Iowa's election laws. It amends notification requirements for election investigations, procedures for voter registration cancellation, recount processes for public measures, absentee ballot tracking, and deadlines for candidate filings. It centralizes several election processes under the county commissioner of elections, tightens election security, updates handling of absentee ballots and recounts, alters identification procedures at polling places, and revises several county financial and record-keeping responsibilities. Effective July 1, 2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Defines 'election day' to include all days of in-person voting, clarifying all election-related laws apply to early in-person voting at satellite centers and county election office.

• Requires immediate Secretary of State (SOS) notification for any local or state investigation into elections or election officials, and governor notification if the SOS is investigated.

• Allows cancellation of voter registration if marked incomplete, pending, or unconfirmed for 90 days without registrant response or correction.

• Substantially changes recount boards for public measures, consolidating recount responsibilities under the county commissioner and staff, and modifies recount petition thresholds for public measures requiring a 60% affirmative vote.

• Centralizes local and school election filings, objections, and contest processes with the county commissioner of elections instead of city clerks or school board secretaries, standardizing deadlines and procedures.

• Removes the ability for voters to establish identity by attestation from another voter (i.e., eliminates subsections 4 and 5 of Section 49.78), tightening voter ID requirements.

• Requires all election equipment (even equipment not currently used) to be secured with a tamper-evident seal.

• Outlines transition process for changing terms of Broadlawns hospital trustees (Polk County).

The legislation enacts wide-ranging reforms across healthcare, education, and nutrition. Notable changes include mandatory nutrition/metabolic health continuing education for physicians, required nutrition coursework for all medical school graduates, new restrictions on food dyes and additives in school meals, over-the-counter access to ivermectin, digital device time limits in elementary schools, and Iowa's adoption of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires at least 1 hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every 4 years for physicians as a license renewal condition.

• Mandates at least 40 hours of nutrition and metabolic health coursework for graduation from Iowa medical schools, effective July 1, 2028.

• Establishes strict prohibitions on specific food dyes and additives (e.g., Blue 1/2, Green 3, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Red 40, Yellow 5/6) in school meals and sales during the school day, applying to public, charter, innovation zone, and nonpublic schools receiving state funds (beginning July 1, 2027).

• Directs HHS to apply for a waiver to apply the same food restrictions to the 'summer electronic benefits transfer for children program' (summer EBT).

• Expands permissible epinephrine delivery systems (including nasal sprays, not just auto-injectors) in schools and public facilities, updating liability protections and staff training requirements accordingly.

• Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin as an over-the-counter medicine for human use without a prescription, and protects them from professional discipline or legal penalties for such distribution.

• Limits digital instruction to 60 minutes per day for K-5 students (with exceptions), requires technology use policies in elementary schools, and establishes a working group to study technology's cognitive impact on grades 6-12.

• Reintroduces the Presidential Fitness Test in schools, requires K-4 students to have at least 40 minutes of physical activity each day and 5th graders have at least 30 minutes per day.

• Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, enabling licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines under uniform rules and mutual recognition.

Signed by Governor May 20, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026; applicable July 1, 2027.

Eliminates the current premium tax on HMOs and establishes a new health care-related tax on taxable funds of HMOs, with revised rates and definitions. It removes HMOs from the list of entities subject to the insurance premium tax, and creates a new Code chapter governing their taxation. The bill also enables a substantial one-time transfer from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund, in response to federal tax law changes, and adjusts the calculation of the state general fund expenditure limitation accordingly. Additionally, it provides a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services for the medical assistance program and modifies rules regarding credits for assessments paid by insurers and HMOs. Appropriations and tax changes are contingent upon federal approval, with some provisions applying retroactively to January 1, 2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Eliminates the premium tax on HMOs under Code section 432.1 and instead imposes a new health care-related tax under newly created Code chapter 432B.

• Defines 'taxable funds' for HMOs as payments received for health care services and payments made to providers and certain insurers, with specific federal exclusions.

• Sets the health care-related tax rates for HMOs: 3.5% for Jan 1–Sep 30, 2026; 0.95% for Oct 1–Dec 31, 2026; and 0.95% for subsequent years.

• Establishes new tax payment and prepayment schedules for HMOs, including special deadlines for the first year, and provides for credits and cash refunds under certain conditions.

• Repeals Section 432.1B and removes HMOs from the premium tax structure, moving them to the new tax regime.

• Allows insurers and HMOs to offset certain assessments against either premium or health care-related tax liabilities, and clarifies treatment for entities ceasing business.

• Authorizes a $296.2 million transfer from the taxpayer relief fund to the general fund in response to federal tax changes, and adjusts the state expenditure limitation to include this amount.

• Appropriates $70.3 million from the general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for medical assistance reimbursements, with funds remaining available for an additional fiscal year if unspent.

Appropriates $222.3 million to Iowa's judicial branch for salaries, court operations, and juvenile services for fiscal year 2027 (which begins July 1, 2026).  This is no change compared to current budget year.  New funding for: specialty business courts if SF 639 passes ($500,000). No change in funding for:  court-ordered services to juveniles ($3.29 million); school-based supervision for children ($1.56 million); and juvenile delinquent graduated sanctions ($12.25 million). Other changes: requires the Judicial Council to conduct an open session meeting when discussing the Judicial Retirement System. You can red more detail at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605155.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026. 

Appropriates $38.9 million for fiscal year 2027 (which begins on July 1, 2026) for the Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Department of Workforce Development, and economic development activities of the state universities. This is a decrease of $1.4 million compared to current spending.  New funding for: UNI nursing program ($600,000) and extending UNI in-state tuition to out-of-state students ($1 million). Increases funding for: Manufacturing 4.0 by $333,325 ($2.35 million total). No change in funding for: tourism ($1.05 million); tourism marketing ($1.4 million); HCBS rent subsidies ($873,000); housing renewal program ($550,000); vocational rehabilitation ($6,226,739); entrepreneurs with disabilities program ($138,506); community college grants for adult literacy for English Language Learners ($500,000); registered apprenticeships ($760,000); BIG Program ($11.7 million); Main Street Iowa ($1 million); Empower Rural Iowa ($700,000); Regents economic development ($3 million); and RefugeeRISE ($210,000). Cuts funding for: Iowa Arts Council by $170,000; international trade by $143,000; adult education and literacy in community colleges by $1 million; and World Food Prize by $50,000 ($450,000 total). Eliminates funding for: Councils of Governments ($350,000).  Other changes: Codifies the Housing Renewal Program. Effective 7/1/2026. For more information go to: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1604867.pdf. 

Appropriates $2.56 billion to fund various health, veterans, and human services (including Medicaid) for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. This is a $3.1 million increase. Veterans: No change in funding for Veterans Home, Department of Veterans Affairs and Veteran Homeownership Program. Disability & Aging Services: Funding for the Statewide Independent Living Councils and Centers for Independent Living that had been funded in the Economic Development Budget are moved here ($171,351). Re-establishes and level funds ($949,282) the Comprehensive Family Support Program that was accidentally eliminated in 2024 (HF 2673), allowing the children at home program to continue (this change is effective back to July 1, 2025). No change in the Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman ($1,148,959).  Behavioral Health:  Eliminates funding for tobacco use and gambling prevention marketing materials ($580,200), Quitline ($500,000), and Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention (STEP) Summit ($120,000). Iowa HHS says Quitline will be paid for with federal funds. Eliminates funding for the Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health ($100,000). No change in funding for the children's behavioral health system ($300,000).  Transfers $5.6 million payment from the Behavioral Health Fund to Medicaid.  Requires HHS to provide the Legislature with a report on behavioral health expenditures to children and adults annually on December 15 (to include a summary of funding sources used). Public Health: Adds back line item for child vision screening ($191,000) and epilepsy education and support ($144,000), which were eliminated in 2023 (FY 2024). While the line items were eliminated, HHS continued to fund them. No change in funding for prescription drug donation program/SafeNetRX ($600,000), free clinics ($374,000), rural health clinics ($25,000), free radon test kits ($20,000), and state poison control center ($750,000). Eliminates funding for the volunteer specialty care provider network managed by Polk County Medical Society ($225,000), and the survey of Adverse Childhood Experiences/ACES ($40,000). Adds $1,171,999 to pay for the summer EBT program to help with childhood food insecurity. Adds new $1.5 million appropriation for medical residency grants outside of Johnson County (not to include family practice).  Medicaid: Level funds Medicaid, but includes transfers in funds that cover the expected $151.9 million shortfall.  Increases rates for elderly waiver ($3 million), ambulatory surgical centers ($1.2 million), and special population nursing facilities ($333,000). Continues HHS' recommended cost containment (savings noted): allowing dispensing of 90-day prescriptions ($150,000), shifting some behavioral services to Medicare ($308,000), cutting rates for telehealth-delivered services/site of service differential ($491,000), adjusting codes for venipuncture and therapy rehabilitation ($602,000), 30-day readmission for same diagnosis policy changes ($1.1 million), speech/language pathology service adjustments ($1.2 million), Medicaid paying lowest available price ($2.2 million), and facility and provider based billing adjustments ($5.4 million). Codifies current reimbursement structure for On With Life and ChildServe (special population nursing facilities), ending their need to go through an exception to policy. No change in funding for family planning program ($3,383,880). Increases funding for the children's health insurance program (Hawki) by $7.2 million, for total of $68,474,831 appropriation.  Shifts $6.5 million in costs to MCOs and reduces general fund spending because of influx of revenues from the temporary HMO tax ($132.9 million). Requires HHS to annually review all Medicaid provider reimbursement rates that are on a fee schedule and compare those rates to Medicare (for dental, rates are compared to neighboring state Medicaid rates), with a report due to the Legislature on January 15. Child Welfare: Increases child welfare provider rates ($1,590,842 for shelter, $3,245,594 for QRTP). Requires HHS to review child welfare provider (shelter care, QRTP) rates every two years, based on their cost reports, and report findings to Legislature by October 1.  Ends contracts for Treatment Outcome Package (TOP) protocols and instead use existing lower-cost tool ($1.4 million). Reduces state funding for childcare by $3 million ($32.7 million total appropriation) and federal block grant funding for childcare by $4.9 million ($42.3 million total appropriation). Increases funding for the More Options for Maternal Health (MOMS) Program by $1,493,299 and allows any remaining unspent funds at the end of the year to carry forward. Reduces funding for Eldora by $673,000. Eliminates "duplicative" funding for child abuse prevention administrator ($300,000). No change in funding for Early Childhood Iowa/ECI ($29,256,799) but eliminates funding for decategorization projects ($1.7 million). Reduces state funding by $1 million because of the "establishment of a central consulting model that is expected to decrease overtime hours for social workers." No change in funding for court-ordered juvenile services ($748,000) and child protection center grants ($1,658,000).  State Institutions: Reduces funding for MHIs by $1.75 million and Woodward by $1.9 million. Continues to fund the now-vacant Glenwood at $942,000 (a decrease of $648,000).  Directs HHS to apply for a waiver of Medicaid's "Institution for Mental Diseases" (IMD) exclusion, which would allow HHS to draw down federal matching funds to offset the costs of the state's two Mental Health Institutes (MHIs). This will increase Medicaid costs between $300,000-$350,000 but will reduce costs for MHIs (for an overall state budget savings). Other Appropriations: Allows automatic appropriation to continue for Child Abuse Prevention ($233,000), Center for Congenital & Inherited Disorders Registry ($224,000), and Behavioral Health Fund ($1 million). Appropriates $3 million in opioid settlement funds for the Renewal Falls Recovery Center in Cedar Falls. Transfers $9.9 million in funds left in funds eliminated last year in HF 972 (Health Care Workforce Shortage Interest Account, Medical Residency Training Account, Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship Program Fund, Rural Psychiatry Residency and Fellowships) to fund graduate medical education (GME) for residencies other than family medicine. Adds a new (additional) $1.5 million appropriation to support GME.  Other: Continues allocating 70% of community mental health block grant funds to designated community mental health centers (this formula was to expire September 30, 2026). Requires HHS to make staffing (FTE) information available on a public website. Gives HHS the ability to adopt emergency rules to implement federal changes (but must let Legislature know if those emergency rules increase costs to the state). Cuts 9.5 staff positions from the Bureau of Refugee Services due to reorganization. Increased expenses due to One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) and Senate File 2422 (Eligibility Verification/Public Assistance): Increases funding for the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $10,122,527 as required by OBBBA (there are two different line items in the budget for this - $8,738,907 and $1,383,620).  Adds $859,200 in funding to pay for the increased costs of public assistance eligibility determination as a result of OBBBA.  Adds a total of $123,444 to pay for the cost of determining Medicaid waiver neutrality per SF 2422 (there are two line items for this as well - $58,874 and $64,570). Adds $670,333 to Medicaid to pay for eligibility verification changes in SF 2422. You can read more details at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605124.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026. LINE ITEM VETO: The Governor vetoed the requirement that 70% of the mental health block grant continue to go to CMHCs and the $3 million opioid settlement earmark for Renewal Falls Recovery Center in Cedar Falls. You can read the Governor's veto message here.

Appropriates $1.042 billion to the Department for the Blind, Department of Education, Board of Regents, and Department of Workforce Development for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, 2026. This is an increase of $10.5 million.  New funding for: dyslexia specialist program to offset costs to teachers getting this endorsement ($335,000) and school district electronic mail security to protect from cyber threats ($500,000). Increases funding for: school food service by $76,000; Iowa School for the Deaf by $764,000; educational services for the blind and visually impaired by $100,243; and community colleges by $3.5 million. No change in funding for: special education ($10 million); Department for the Blind ($3.2 million); Iowa Public Television ($8.2 million); IDEA required birth to age 3 services ($1.7 million); early head start ($574,500); work-based learning clearinghouse ($300,000); reading research center ($1.5 million); Best Buddies ($35,000); therapeutic classrooms ($2.4 million); Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids/LEAD-K ($200,000); Health Care Professional Incentive Program ($7,985,911); Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Fund ($6.5 million); Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Grant ($425,000); capital projects for community colleges ($6 million); STEM Best ($700,000); Child Health Specialty Clinics ($634,502); statewide cancer registry ($143,410); substance abuse consortium ($53,427); birth defects registry ($36,839); Iowa Flood Center ($1.2 million); UI College of Nursing ($2.8 million); and UI Center for Intellectual Freedom ($1 million); UNI Center for Civic Education ($1 million). Decreases funding for: training teachers to address children's mental health by $1.5 million (leaving $1.9 million). Other changes: Eliminates the Iowa Special Education Council and limits the automatic appropriation for at-risk student programs to $10.5 million (reducing funding by $2.6 million). Suspends the automatic "standing" appropriation for college work study programs, repeals tuition grants for for-profit colleges, and removes the requirement that 25% of educator licensing fees be sent to the state general fund (instead 100% will be retained by board of educational examiners). Requires state universities to mandate undergraduate completion of both American history and American government survey courses (minimum 3 credits each) as part of general education for students enrolling (beginning July 2028). Freezes tuitions for resident undergraduates at state universities (tuition charged in a student's first academic year cannot increase for up to three consecutive years of undergraduate enrollment) and caps annual tuition increases at the average Higher Education Price Index growth for the past three years. Reforms dropout prevention funding. Requires the Department of Education to submit an annual report to on all incidents of violence in schools, referrals to therapeutic classrooms, and department antibullying programming and expenditures.Eliminates the separate Iowa Tuition Grant for for-profit institutions and allows students at eligible for-profit schools (notably barbering/cosmetology) to access the vocational-technical tuition grant, with new matching aid requirements and increased maximum grant amounts. You can read more about the budget at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605130.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026.  LINE ITEM VETO: The Governor vetoed the $500,000 earmark for school district email security. You can read the Governor's veto message here.

Changes standing (automatic) appropriations, makes other appropriations left out of other budgets, fixes mistakes in other bills, and drops in changes that were part of last-minute negotiations. Education: Maintains current reductions in standing appropriations - AEAs ($7.5 million) and non-public school transportation ($9 million). Requires state universities require all undergraduates to complete two three-credit courses as part of their general education requirement (American History and American Government), but this does not apply to any degree that is completed in three years or less. Applies to students beginning college on or after July 1, 2028. Requires the ISU Center for Cyclone Civics and the UI Center for Intellectual Freedom are to designate which courses meet these requirements. Continues incentives for school mergers through July 1, 2035 (expired July 1, 2024). Makes an exception for a school district to increase their cash reserve levy if a single property in their district's change in valuation caused a loss of more than $100 million (effective upon enactment).  Health/Human Services: Appropriates $1 million from the sports wagering fund for Double Up Food Bucks. Appropriates $3 million to the University of Iowa for pediatric cancer research. Requires a report detailing how funds were used to be filed with Legislature by 10/1/2027. Prohibits funding provide for pediatric cancer research from being used for administrative/overhead costs not directly related to research. Makes public assistance reforms enacted in SF 2422 effective when new eligibility systems go live. Requires a trained child protection worker to screen a child for commercial sex abuse if HHS identifies known risk factors in the child's background. Changes the effective date of moving victim restitution from category "B" to "A" in HF 1036 (Human Trafficking) from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027.  Fund Balance Transfers: Allows use of $12 million in federal incentive payments from FY26 to be used for administering the unemployment compensation insurance program and for modernization efforts. Transfers COVID funding balances in HHS to the HHS Information Technology Fund and appropriates the following from that fund: $31 million for the Medicaid management information system, $30.5 million for the eligibility determination system, $34 million for child welfare IT projects, and $5 million for implementation of SF 2422 (public assistance reforms). Allows special funds (gambling enforcement, road use tax fund, fish and game, IPERS, etc) to be used for salary adjustments. Allows funds remaining in the Future Ready Iowa Apprenticeship Fund to be used to support the Iowa Office of Apprenticeships. Requires state agencies and the judicial branch to notify the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairs and Ranking Members and the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Federal Funds Appropriations Subcommittee of any federal grant or loan in excess of $5 million received or applied for in the previous month (but exempts the Iowa Department of Defense & Board of Regents) and any grant or loan applied for or received that requires a state match.  Other: Adopts national electrical code. Amends Civil Rights legislation (SF 579) to not only prohibit the enactment of civil rights ordinances/regulations that go further than the state law, but also prohibit enforcement of existing ordinances and regulations. Prohibits a state political party's platform from prohibiting an elected official from serving on the state party central committee, and requires each party's state central committee to adopt a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Makes Japanese Knotweed a noxious weed. Requires the Iowa State Fair Foundation to issue 126 (instead of 125) nonresident deer hunting licenses, with the 126th license to be used at the discretion of the fair. Regulates proprietary water treatment systems. Renames the poultry association. Eliminates cap on full-time county attorney salaries (currently 45-100% of district court judge salary). Creates a new civil cause of action for "civil litigation abuse," defined as filing lawsuits between two private parties intended to harass, cause financial harm, or interfere with business relationships in done for "ulterior purposes." Corrections: Makes technical corrections for a number of bills passed earlier in session (non substantive). You can read more detail at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605279.pdf. Effective 7/1/2026. LINE ITEM VETO:  The Governor vetoed the transfer of remaining COVID relief funds to the Information Technology Fund, limitations on use of information technology funds by HHS, changes to the HMO tax that would have held Wellmark harmless (and risked $120 million in federal funding coming into Medicaid next year fiscal year), and the new civil cause for "litigation abuse."  You can read the Governor's veto message here. 

Prohibits the use of school property as a satellite absentee voting if the election is school-related. Directs the removal of all published material about a public measure be removed from a voting location (currently only related to candidates).

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Requires the Department of Education and schools to distribute and train staff on federal guidance about constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression. Mandates model policies for compliance and extends protections for religious, political, and ideological student speech and club activities. Removes prohibitions against sectarian or religious content/materials in certain funding, program, and tax definitions. Establishes new civil penalties for violations and waives sovereign immunity for school districts in related lawsuits. The act also expands the authority and autonomy of community-based preschool providers and alters tax code provisions regarding educational expenses for religious content, with retroactive effect for tax years starting January 1, 2026.  Effective7/1/2026 (tax provisions retroactive to 1/1/2026).

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires annual distribution of U.S. Department of Education guidance on protected prayer/religious expression to all superintendents, principals, and teachers in public and charter schools, and publication of the guidance online.

• Mandates professional development and model policies for school staff regarding constitutionally protected religious expression, and annual certification of compliance to the Department of Education.

• Expands student speech protections, prohibiting discrimination or penalty for religious, political, or ideological expression in schoolwork, clubs, clothing, and assemblies, with clear enforcement and civil penalties for violations.

• Removes statutory prohibitions on the use of public funds and participation in certain programs for materials or courses with sectarian or religious content (e.g., textbooks, tuition, concurrent enrollment).

• Preserves maximum autonomy and freedom for community-based preschool providers, limits state authority to only what is necessary for program participation, and invalidates burdensome rules.

• Extends protected speech requirements to charter and innovation zone schools, making them subject to the same standards as school districts.

• Waives school district sovereign immunity for protected speech violations, allowing federal lawsuits and establishing a minimum $5,000 civil penalty per violation, payable to prevailing students or clubs.

• Retroactively applies changes to tax definitions and credits for education expenses, allowing religious materials and programs to qualify for state tax benefits starting January 1, 2026.

SF 2472 – Property Tax Reform  (Final version)

Limit on Annual Revenue Increases

• 2% hard cap on all general levies (includes EMS, Agricultural property, Public Transit)
• 3% hard cap on DART
• 4% hard cap on county hospitals
• New construction is realized as it comes online

No limitation on the following:

• Debt Service Levies
• School funding
• City Special revenue levies (insurance, employee benefits, etc.)
• Most County supplemental levies (insurance, employee benefits, etc.)
• Community college variable levies (insurance, unemployment, etc.)

Extends the previous law of the land, HF 718, by 2 years.

_________

Residential Property Tax Relief

Converts homestead credit to an exemption (currently equal to $4,850 exemption)

• Phases state funding out over 3 years.
• Year 1 Exemption of 10% with a minimum of $5500 and maximum of $20,000
• Maximum rises with CPI

Current military and senior exemptions stay in place

Homestead credit currently costs the State $175M/year. Funds from the conversion of homestead credit to exemption go toward buying the $5.40 uniform levy down to $4.90 over 3 years.

Multi-residential rollback (currently equal to residential) is increased by 3% in Year 2, and 6% in Year 3.

_____

Transparency and Data

• Shifts the burden of proof to the assessor if a property value increases by more than 10 percent over 2 years.
• Requires parcel level reporting
• New taxpayer statement – ISAC and League of Cities tasked with working on this with Department of Management
• Allows online posting of tax notices

______

Bonding/Debt

• Restricts the use of debt service funds for operating expenses
• Caps local government reserves at 35%
• Creates new restricted fund account for funds that are budgeted for specific infrastructure uses

_______

Tax Increment Financing

$5.40 Uniform levy

• Pulls the $5.40 levy out of the increment for new TIF projects
• Holds existing debt for cities harmless
• Allows the school district to opt that levy in to a project with no state backfill
• Phases the $5.40 levy down to $4.90 over 3 years

Perpetual TIFS

• Limits increment usage to 60% after 20 years – No new debt allowed above the 60% threshold
• Pulls the $5.40 out of increment after 20 years
• Holds existing debt harmless

Eliminates the Low-Moderate Income restrictions from TIF usage for housing

Final bill DID NOT contain a restriction on the use of TIF revenues for staff and salaries

_____

Creates First Iowa Home Accounts

Raises the EMS levy cap to $1.50 (from $.75) with a vote

Signed by Governor 5/18/2026. Effective dates: 05/18/2026, 07/01/2026, 01/01/2027. Applicability dates: 01/01/2026, 07/01/2026, 01/01/2027, 07/01/2027, 07/01/2028.

Expands definitions to include 'nicotine analogs' in alternative nicotine and vapor products; imposes new excise taxes on these products; specifies tax rates and mechanisms for collection; appropriates a portion of new revenues to pediatric cancer research at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital; makes conforming changes throughout code relating to licensing, recordkeeping, reporting, and refunds; and sets an effective date of January 1, 2027.

Key Points & Impacts

• Expands definitions of 'alternative nicotine product' and 'vapor product' to include 'nicotine analogs,' substances chemically or pharmacologically similar to nicotine.

• Establishes new excise taxes: 5 cents per container of alternative nicotine products (up to 20 units; proportionate for more), and 5 cents per milliliter of nicotine in vapor products.

• Applies the new tax both to distributors and to users/storers if the distributor tax has not been paid.

• Specifies that the new taxes are in addition to any other taxes already imposed on such products.

• Deposits revenues from the new taxes into the health care trust fund, separate from the general fund.

• Annually appropriates up to $3 million from the new taxes for pediatric cancer research, clinical therapy access, and physician-scientist leadership at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, beginning FY 2027-2028.

• Requires annual reporting by the state board of regents to the general assembly on the outcomes of the funded pediatric cancer programs.

• Makes extensive conforming changes to existing tobacco laws, including licensing, recordkeeping, transport, and refund provisions, to include alternative nicotine and vapor products.

Signed by Governor May 26, 2026. Takes effect January 1, 2027.

Replaces the term "pregnant person" with "pregnant female" throughout multiple statutory sections dealing with the termination of pregnancy, feticide, and related offenses. No substantive changes are made to the criminal offenses or penalties themselves; the changes are strictly to the terminology used to refer to the pregnant individual in the law.

Key Points & Impact:

• Replaces the term 'pregnant person' with 'pregnant female' in all references within the affected statutes.

• Amends Section 707.7 (Feticide) and Section 707.8 (Nonconsensual termination of pregnancy and related offenses) to use 'pregnant female'.

• Adjusts language in provisions concerning obtaining consent, knowledge, and voluntary consent of the pregnant individual to specify 'female'.

• Clarifies that exceptions for medical procedures and acts or omissions by the pregnant individual now refer to 'pregnant female'.

• Updates Section 708.2(4), related to assault against a pregnant individual, to refer to 'pregnant female'.

• No changes to the criminal definitions, penalties, or exceptions—this is strictly a terminology update.

• Ensures consistency in gendered language across statutes concerning pregnancy.

• Does not impact the application or scope of the offenses—only the phrasing is changed.

Signed by Governor on April 16. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Legible Summary

The legislation updates Iowa's laws on public meetings and access to public records. It revises how and where meeting notices must be posted, clarifies the handling and fees for public records requests, introduces additional transparency for employment separation of government employees, and creates new judicial authority to restrain individuals who abuse public records requests through vexatious conduct.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires governmental bodies to post meeting notices both at an annually designated, conspicuous physical location and on their primary internet site, if applicable.

• Mandates that meeting agendas amended within a certain timeframe be clearly marked 'AMENDED' with the amended provisions identified, and that amended notices follow the new posting rules.

• Prohibits requiring requesters to be physically present to receive public records; requests can be made in writing, by phone, or electronically.

• Mandates reasonable efforts to provide public records at no cost (other than copying costs) if production takes less than 30 minutes; expenses must be reasonable and communicated upon request receipt.

• Clarifies that only direct costs attributable to supervising, making, and providing copies of records may be charged—excluding general administrative overhead. Legal costs are only chargeable for redacting legally protected information.

• Expands required public disclosure of the last day a separated employee worked and details of any post-separation payments or benefits exceeding amounts owed for work performed.

• Establishes a process for governmental bodies to seek court injunctions against individuals found to be vexatious requesters, with specific criteria and safeguards, including a right to attorney fees if no vexatious conduct is found.

• Specifies that a high volume of requests alone does not constitute vexatious conduct and protects news media from being classified as vexatious solely on volume.

Expands the definition of 'young children' eligible for the statewide preschool program to include five-year-olds, not just four-year-olds. It alters funding and enrollment criteria to ensure only newly eligible students are counted for state funding, and clarifies which children are subject to compulsory attendance. The bill also updates language throughout related statutes to reflect these changes and aligns eligibility and funding rules for students served by other state or federal preschool programs. Effective 7/1/2026 (but not implemented until 2027-2028 school year).

Key Points & Impacts

• Expands eligibility for the statewide preschool program to include children who are four years old on or before September 15 and children who turn five between March 15 and September 15 of the school year.

• Specifies that a child previously counted for state funding in the preschool program cannot be counted again for funding purposes if re-enrolled.

• Allows, if space and alternative funding are available, for enrollment of children outside the new age eligibility parameters, but excludes them from state funding.

• Updates compulsory attendance laws so that eligible four- and five-year-olds enrolled in the preschool program are considered of compulsory attendance age, unless a parent opts out in writing.

• Amends references throughout relevant statutes to use the broader term "young children" instead of "four-year-old children."

• Clarifies that children already served by other state or federally funded preschool programs (for four- or five-year-olds) cannot be counted for funding in the statewide program.

• Requires appropriate chapter 28E agreements for school districts to serve both four- and eligible five-year-olds through contracts with community-based providers.

• Applicability provision sets the new rules to take effect starting with the 2027-2028 school budget year.

Revises the process and authority regarding parental consent for the voluntary admission and treatment of minors in mental health and substance use disorder. Eliminates the requirement that juvenile court approval is needed when a minor objects to admission for mental health or substance use treatment, granting parents or guardians the power to authorize such services over a minor's objection. It also provides that any limitations on these parental rights will be subject to strict judicial scrutiny. The bill also clarifies that healthcare professionals or facilities are not required to provide treatment if it is deemed inappropriate or the criteria for admission are not met. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Removes the requirement that juvenile court approval is necessary for voluntary admission of a minor to a hospital for mental health treatment when the minor objects.

• Grants parents or guardians the explicit right to consent to and authorize various mental health and substance use disorder services for their minor child, even if the child objects.

• Clarifies that such parental or guardian consent and authorization supersedes the minor child's objections.

• Establishes that any restriction of these parental rights is subject to strict scrutiny, raising the legal standard for any challenge to these rights.

• Clarifies that healthcare providers and facilities are not obligated to provide treatment if they determine it is not appropriate or if admission criteria are not met.

• Removes statutory procedures involving appointment of an attorney, advocate, and hearing process in juvenile court when a minor objects to voluntary admission for mental health treatment.

• Amends statutory language to refer to these enhanced parental rights broadly, including medical care, education, and upbringing.

• Specifies that family counseling and therapy may still be ordered by the juvenile court when necessary to facilitate the minor's return to the family.

Revises the Iowa Rules of Criminal Procedure regarding commitment hearings following an acquittal based on insanity. Ensures that the absence of recent overt acts of dangerousness cannot be the only determining factor in whether a defendant is a risk to themselves or others, especially if such absence is due to a highly structured environment. Courts must consider a comprehensive list of factors, including original offense, behavioral and psychiatric history, substance use, institutional behavior, environmental influences, and expert assessments. The revised rules must be submitted for legislative review by October 14, 2026.

Key Points & Impact:

• Mandates the Iowa Supreme Court to revise criminal procedure rules for post-insanity acquittal commitment hearings.

• Bars courts from using the absence of recent overt acts of dangerousness as the sole determining factor in risk assessments, especially when the defendant is in a highly structured environment.

• Requires courts to consider the nature and circumstances of the original offense leading to the insanity acquittal.

• Requires evaluation of the defendant's behavioral history, including prior violent or dangerous acts, regardless of recent conduct.

• Includes consideration of psychiatric history, current mental status, and treatment adherence.

• Mandates assessment of substance use disorder history, its relationship to dangerousness, risk of relapse, and engagement in treatment.

• Requires examination of institutional behavior, independent functioning, and adaptability to less structured environments.

• Directs consideration of expert testimony, validated risk assessments, and environmental influences on behavior.

Signed by Governor on April 9. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or otherwise influencing ballot issue campaigns, either directly or indirectly. Political committees must now obtain affirmations from donors that they are not foreign nationals and have not accepted significant foreign funds in the preceding four years. Treasurers must affirm compliance with these rules in campaign filings. The bill also introduces strong privacy protections for donors to tax-exempt organizations during investigations, limiting disclosure and collection of donor identities unless directly related to violations. Violations incur substantial civil and criminal penalties. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Defines 'directly or indirectly' and 'foreign national' for campaign finance law, expanding the scope of prohibited foreign involvement.

• Requires political committees advocating on ballot issues to obtain affirmations from donors that they are not foreign nationals and have not received over $100,000 from foreign nationals in the last four years.

• Mandates that political committee treasurers include affirmations in reports stating no receipt of prohibited foreign funds or donations from prohibited sources.

• Prohibits foreign nationals from making independent expenditures or influencing ballot issue campaigns, directly or indirectly.

• Strikes the previous, narrower definition of 'foreign national' from existing law and replaces it with a broader, more detailed definition.

• Requires independent expenditure statements regarding ballot issues to affirm that no foreign funds over $100,000 have been or will be accepted during the relevant period.

• Establishes strict privacy protections for donors to tax-exempt organizations during campaign finance investigations, with disclosure only allowed in cases of proven violation.

• Imposes civil penalties (minimum $10,000 or triple the unlawful amount) and makes willful violations a serious misdemeanor, including potential jail time and fines.

Overhauls Iowa's education statutes with major changes to charter school governance, funding, and oversight, expands preschool program participation to community-based providers, revises rules for private and independent instruction, updates the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) eligibility, and creates new funding mechanisms for charter school facilities. It clarifies and expands student access to public school extracurricular activities, revises education savings account eligibility and amounts, and strengthens the recognition of diplomas from private instruction. Significant appropriations and new program funding are included.

Key Points & Impacts

• Expands charter school authorizer eligibility to include the University of Northern Iowa, with corresponding changes to application, approval, monitoring, and contract provisions throughout the charter school statutes.

• Removes or limits references to innovation zone schools and consolidates provisions for 'legacy' charter schools under a new subchapter, restricting new approvals after July 1, 2021.

• Requires charter schools to incorporate a performance framework into contracts, aligning with oversight and renewal procedures, and strengthens requirements for audits, reporting, and compliance.

• Revises funding formulas for charter schools, including expanded state cost per pupil supplements and direct interaction with area education agencies for services and payments. Area education agencies now must provide services and media to charter schools, with state aid deductions to fund these services.

• Establishes a Charter School Facilities Revolving Loan Program Fund with annual appropriations, enabling loans and credit enhancement for facility acquisition and improvement.

• Expands access for charter and nonpublic school students to participate in public school extracurricular activities, with new limits, eligibility requirements, and fee rules.

• Allows community-based providers to directly participate in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, receive direct state funding, and sets administrative cost limits for both school districts and providers. Adjusts funding, reporting, and oversight accordingly.

• Provides for the recognition of diplomas and documentation issued by private or independent instruction as equivalent to district diplomas for all legal purposes, and liberalizes requirements for independent private instruction (removing prior caps on students, tuition, and unrelated restrictions).

Spends $47.3 million Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa. The appropriations support a wide array of activities, including regulatory functions, research initiatives, conservation, water quality, animal disease preparedness, and assistance for food and farm programs.  New funding for: Choose Iowa School Purchasing Program ($200,000); Iowa Geological Survey to support the Iowa Water Quality Information System at the University of Iowa ($300,000); rural Iowa infrastructure bank program fund to help small and medium sized communities (<11,000 population) upgrade their water and wastewater infrastructure ($10 million from RIIF). Transfers another $8 million into the water quality fund from RIIF and allocates $25 million for the Des Moines Waterworks for constructing and installing additional nutrient removal technology (funds remain through 6/30/2029). Increased funding for: Choose Iowa promotional program by $300,000 ($2,113,000 total) and water quality administration ($176,150). No change in funding for: Local Food & Farm Program ($125,000); Choose Iowa Food Bank Purchasing Program ($200,000); Farmers with Disabilities Program/Easterseals ($230,000); Loess Hills Development & Conservation Fund ($260,000 for Hungry Canyons; $40,000 for Loess Hills Alliance); Southern Iowa Development & Conservation Fund ($100,000); water quality ($3,455,850); flood plain/dam safety ($1.5 million); forestry management ($525,000); state park operations & maintenance ($1.3 million); Iowa Geological Survey for groundwater mapping ($200,000); watershed protection ($900,000); conservation buffer strips ($900,000). Also no change in funding from the Environment First Fund for: Hungry Canyons ($140,000); state parks ($6,235,000); water quality monitoring ($2,955,000); public water supply system ($500,000); regulation of animal feeding operations ($1,320,000); water quality ($2,375,000); and REAP ($12 million). Other changes: Increases the maximum grant from the Water Quality Financial Assistance Fund from $500,000 to $1 million. Changes standing appropriations from this fund ($500,000 to DNR for water quality continuous monitoring; 65% of remaining funds supports wastewater/drinking water; 15% goes to water quality urban infrastructure; 20% for technical assistance).  Effective 7/1/2026. For more detail go to: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605091.pdf.

Bans 'warrant resolution clinics,' defined as programs or events—other than standard court proceedings—intended to allow people with outstanding arrest warrants to resolve those warrants without being taken into custody. It prohibits any entity or individual from organizing, funding, or participating in such clinics and bars the use of public funds or facilities for this purpose. The bill provides for criminal and civil penalties for violations, allows the attorney general and county residents to take enforcement action, and withholds court debt-originating funds from counties violating the ban. The act takes effect immediately upon enactment and preempts any local ordinances permitting such clinics.

Key Points & Impacts

• Defines 'warrant resolution clinic' as any event or program, outside standard court procedures, designed to allow individuals with outstanding warrants to resolve them without immediate arrest.

• Prohibits all persons, organizations, government officers, and agencies from organizing, sponsoring, funding, promoting, or participating in warrant resolution clinics or substantially similar programs.

• Limits resolution of outstanding warrants to three specific avenues: surrender to law enforcement, court appearance as directed, or written motion agreed to by prosecution and approved by the court under standard procedures.

• Strictly bans the use of public funds or facilities for any warrant resolution clinic.

• Establishes criminal (simple misdemeanor) and civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation for private persons) for violations; public officials may also face removal from office.

• Allows the attorney general to investigate suspected violations, bring enforcement actions, and recover costs and attorney fees; any county resident may also seek injunctive or declaratory relief in court.

• Counties violating the ban are barred from receiving funds derived from court debt (such as fees and fines collections).

• Preempts and supersedes any local ordinance or policy that authorizes or permits warrant resolution clinics or similar arrangements, and prohibits local governments from enacting conflicting provisions.

Creates the EDGE Program to incentivize headquarters expansion and high-wage job creation, establishes a new training fund for business incentives, repeals the New Jobs Tax Credit, modifies the Major Economic Growth Attraction Program's definitions and deadlines, and mandates regular statewide electric load forecasting and transmission planning. It also creates mechanisms for state agencies to collect and use utility data and funding for energy planning, and restricts certain job training credits to agreements before a specified deadline. Effective 7/1/2026 (except changes to New Jobs Credit effective 6/2/2026).

Key Points & Impacts:

• Establishes the EDGE Program to provide refundable qualifying wage tax credits for eligible businesses creating or retaining high-wage corporate jobs at Iowa headquarters, with specific eligibility, compliance, and clawback provisions.

• Creates a Business Incentives for Growth Program Training Fund, funded by up to 1.5% of eligible business payroll withholdings, to reimburse project-specific training expenses; prohibits double-dipping for the same training purpose.

• Repeals the New Jobs Tax Credit (Code section 422.11A), with immediate effect upon enactment, but preserves rights for credits issued or awarded before the effective date, including carryforward claims.

• Amends the Major Economic Growth Attraction Program by updating the definition of 'foreign adversary' and extending the sunset date for authorizing incentives or exemptions from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030.

• Requires the Economic Development Authority to commission Iowa State University to produce biennial public reports on statewide and regional electricity load forecasting and transmission expansion plans, with input from consumers and the electric industry.

• Empowers the utilities commission to compel all electric utilities to share information with Iowa State University for energy planning, and allows these reports to serve as evidence in commission proceedings.

• Creates the Electric Transmission System Expansion Planning and Analysis and Load Forecasting Fund, funded by mandatory utility remittances, and appropriates it for the state's energy planning reports.

• Limits the new jobs credit from withholding under the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program to agreements entered into on or before June 30, 2026, with corresponding adjustments to eligible project cost funding mechanisms.

Revises the definition of 'qualified education expenses' in Iowa law by eliminating language referencing Public Law 115-97 and instead relies on the general definition provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. This change streamlines the definition and avoids unnecessary specificity, ensuring that the state law remains aligned with current federal law regarding eligible uses of education savings plans.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Removes an explicit reference to 'as amended by Pub. L. No. 115-97' from the definition of qualified education expenses.

• Continues to define 'qualified education expenses' by reference to Section 529(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

• Maintains inclusion of elementary and secondary school tuition expenses, subject to federal limitations.

• Retains inclusion of apprenticeship program expenses as qualified education expenses, provided the program is registered and certified with the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

• Allows payment of principal or interest on qualified education loans for a beneficiary or their sibling, within federal limitations.

• Ensures Iowa law's definition of qualified education expenses stays current with federal tax law changes by avoiding outdated references.

• Simplifies statutory language, reducing the need for future legislative updates if federal law changes.

Signed by Governor on April 9. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

The Act sets the state and categorical percent of growth for school budgets for FY2026 and subsequent years, adjusts property tax replacement payments, limits transportation equity aid, alters school district budgeting and enrollment procedures, and introduces a $7 million appropriation for education support personnel salary supplements. It changes the payment schedule for various state aid distributions from monthly to quarterly and clarifies timelines for enrollment certifications and budget adjustments. Several obsolete references and outdated calculations are removed.

Key Points & Impacts

• Sets the state percent of growth at 2% for the budget year beginning July 1, 2026, and categorical state percent of growth at 2% for the same period (with special calculation for transportation equity fund in FY2025 at 5%).

• Removes outdated references and calculations for FY2023 and FY2024 regarding categorical state percent of growth and property tax replacement payment formulas; updates formulas to align with new fiscal years.

• Establishes a $1 million cap per district for transportation equity aid beginning July 1, 2026.

• Changes the payment frequency for state aid, property tax replacement, and transportation equity aid from monthly to quarterly, and adjusts the payment calendar to begin in July and end in April.

• Creates a $7 million appropriation for FY2026-2027 to supplement education support personnel compensation, distributed proportionally based on district enrollment.

• Adds a new 'adjusted enrollment' measure to be determined and reported annually in January, with related adjustments to basic enrollment calculations and budget procedures.

• Requires that school district budget adjustments for FY2026-2027 be funded solely by state aid, not property taxes.

• Updates timelines and procedures for certification and adjustment of school district enrollments and related fiscal adjustments, including for nonpublic and special education services.

The Act mandates use of federal e-verify and SAVE systems for employment and professional licensure eligibility verification across multiple sectors, including education, public employment, and professional licensing. It establishes criminal and civil penalties for knowingly providing or accepting false social security numbers, prohibits issuance or renewal of professional licenses to individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., and adds strict requirements for voter registration and citizenship verification. Additionally, it imposes stricter pretrial detention standards for unauthorized aliens and those charged with forcible felonies. The law provides severability and contingent implementation clauses in case parts are found invalid or federal verification systems become inaccessible.

Key Points & Impacts

• Requires the Board of Educational Examiners to verify legal authorization to work in the U.S. for all initial and renewing applicants, as well as periodic verification for those not subject to renewal.

• Prohibits employers from hiring or continuing to employ individuals known to have provided false social security numbers; imposes civil penalties and mandatory compliance training for repeat violations.

• Defines and criminalizes the act of providing or accepting a false social security number for employment purposes.

• Mandates use of the federal e-verify system for employment eligibility verification by the legislature, state agencies, cities, counties, school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and certain higher education institutions; results must be reported to federal immigration authorities if a lack of legal status is found.

• Establishes a SAVE program clearinghouse for professional licensing boards to verify the citizenship and immigration status of license applicants, and prohibits issuance or renewal of licenses to those unlawfully present.

• Requires voter registration forms to include a new oath affirming U.S. citizenship, mandates monthly/annual systematic verification of voter citizenship, and establishes procedures for deregistration of unconfirmed registrants.

• Imposes a rebuttable presumption against bail for unauthorized aliens charged with indictable offenses and for all defendants charged with forcible felonies, with specific appeal and challenge procedures.

• Contains detailed severability and suspension clauses to address federal court rulings or loss of access to verification systems, ensuring continued effect of unaffected provisions.

Signed by Governor June 2, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Enhances protections for judicial officers and certain legal professionals by expanding the list of professions eligible for professional permits to carry weapons, clarifying permit procedures, and standardizing permit validity. It creates new criminal offenses for threatening or maliciously disclosing personal information about judicial officers or their family, and redefines harassment to include true threats against public officials. The bill also authorizes the supreme court to impose additional permit requirements for judicial officers.

Key Points & Impacts

• Adds judicial officers, attorney general, deputy attorney general, and assistant attorney general to those eligible for professional permits to carry weapons under Iowa law.

• Permits issued to these individuals authorize them to go armed anywhere in the state at all times, including on school grounds, during employment.

• Permits for these professionals remain valid through the period of employment and must be surrendered upon termination of employment.

• Judicial officers, when carrying weapons inside a courtroom, must do so in a concealed manner (except for peace/correctional officers).

• Supreme court is granted authority to require additional training or requirements for judicial officers holding a permit.

• Creates a new class 'C' felony offense for threatening a judicial officer or their immediate family member with intent to harm, intimidate, prevent duties, or retaliate.

• Establishes a serious misdemeanor for maliciously sharing personal information (address, phone, physical location) of a judicial officer or immediate family with harmful intent.

• Expands the definition of harassment to include communicating a true threat to a public official, if the official becomes aware within one year.

Signed by Governor May 6, 2026. Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Requires commercial drivers demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to receive or renew a CDL or CLP. The Department of Transportation must administer a computer-based English proficiency exam, and commercial motor carriers are prohibited from employing drivers who do not meet the standard. Civil penalties are imposed on carriers and drivers for violations, and criminal penalties apply to non-proficient drivers operating commercial vehicles. The bill also outlines procedures for handling vehicles and cargo when violations occur, and protects compliance with federal law.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Adds a new requirement that applicants for commercial driver’s licenses or learner’s permits must pass an English language proficiency exam administered by the Department of Transportation.

• Prohibits issuance or renewal of a CDL or CLP unless the applicant demonstrates sufficient English proficiency as defined under federal regulations (49 C.F.R §391.11(b)(2)).

• Allows applicants to retake the English proficiency exam, subject to availability.

• Prohibits commercial motor carriers from employing or contracting with commercial drivers who lack sufficient English proficiency; civil penalties of $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 apply for first, second, and subsequent violations, respectively.

• Prohibits non-proficient individuals from operating commercial motor vehicles; violations result in a $1,000 civil penalty and a serious misdemeanor charge.

• Establishes procedures for the removal and transfer of vehicles and cargo when a violation is detected, and limits liability for related damages to the state, local authorities, and cargo owners.

• Requires payment of civil penalties before a carrier can reclaim a vehicle and mandates notification of cargo owners if the carrier fails to comply within 12 hours.

• Directs the Department of Transportation to waive provisions if compliance would jeopardize federal funds or violate federal law.

Signed by Governor May 2, 2026, Takes effect July 1, 2026.

Allocates $193.6 million from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) and Technology Reinvestment Fund for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. Money in these funds comes from taxes on gambling.  New funding for: On With Life to build a wing at their Polk City location to accommodate young adults aging out of ChildServe ($4 million); strategic infrastructure program ($10 million); hosting national junior olympics ($250,000); sports entertainment venue in Newton ($7 million); railway tracks overpass and underpass fund ($5 million/year for five years); interactive museum exhibit at the Hoover Presidential Library ($1 million); and Iowa HHS' new eligibility determination system ($10 million), data integration into the new system ($1,633,361), and costs associated with implementing new Medicaid work requirements and other requirements of the One Big Beautiful Bill/HR 1 ($3,473,690). Ongoing funding (no change) for: water quality ($8.2 million); water quality/nitrogen modeling ($1 million); community attractions and tourism/CAT grants ($10 million); Destination Iowa Fund ($10 million); lake restoration projects ($9.6 million); state park infrastructure ($5 million); low head dams ($1.5 million); recreational trails ($2.5 million); railroad revolving fund ($2 million); derelict building fund ($1 million); and general aviation airports ($1 million). Increases funding for: regional sports authorities by $250,000 ($1 million) and commercial service airports by $600,000 ($2.5 million). Other Changes: Eliminates $1.2 million appropriation for public transit infrastructure and replaces it with a one-time $1.6 million appropriation to be used as partial federal match for approved grants (total of $3 million was needed). Prohibits Iowa HHS from entering into technology purchase agreements that cost more than $5 million or committed the state to multi-year obligations in its IT systems (the current system being funded by this bill, in response to the One Big Beautiful Bill changes, is exempt from this requirement).  Iowa HHS, Legislative Services Agency, and Department of Management are to set up an Information Technology Modernization Study Committee before 8/1/2026 to review Iowa HHS' technology systems, data architecture, and modernization strategy. The committee is also to include six ex-officio members of the Senate and House and allows others in private sector firms, academic experts, and subject matter experts to participate. The committee will identify redundancies and interoperability gaps, assess HHS' ability to integrate data across programs and databases, evaluate options for developing/purchasing an integrated architecture system; and consider existing vendors supporting current systems. Requires prioritizing long-term solutions that integrate systems, detect eligibility errors, improper payments, and fraudulent activities while deducting duplication (report due 1/1/2027).  Establishes the Railway Overpass & Underpass Fund to provide cities/counties with grants to construct overpasses and underpasses. Allows awardees of the Iowa Major Events & Tourism Fund to also receive regional sports authority funds. Effective 7/1/2026. More details can be found at:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605200.pdf.  LINE ITEM VETO: The Governor vetoed the $5 million limit on HHS information technology contract obligations without legislative approval. You can read the Governor's veto message here.

The Act creates a statewide ECFS system to provide primary prevention, early intervention, and ongoing family and community resources for families with children under 19, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a new ECFS system fund, district advisory councils, and new policies for data collection and program oversight. The Act repeals various existing programs and statutes, transitions funding and contracts to the new system, and includes provisions for continuity of services and the redistribution of federal funds. It also convenes an interim study committee to guide future transitions and mandates conforming Code changes. Several appropriations and fund transfers are authorized to support the new system and its transition.

Key Points & Impacts

• Establishes the Early Childhood and Family Services (ECFS) system under the Department of Health and Human Services, with statewide, district-level administration and advisory councils.

• Creates the ECFS system fund with appropriated state and transferred funds, which are non-reverting and accrue interest for ECFS purposes.

• Repeals and consolidates multiple programs and statutes (including sections 135.106, 232.188, 235A.1, 235A.2, 235A.3) into the new ECFS structure, and mandates the transfer of unexpended funds to the ECFS system fund.

• Transitions child abuse prevention funding, contracts, and associated administration from old programs to the ECFS system, with explicit provisions for contract review and continuity of care.

• Modifies income tax checkoff and birth registration fee designations, directing proceeds to the new ECFS system fund for child abuse prevention.

• Phases out decategorization initiatives, reallocates remaining funding, and details procedures for contract evaluation, termination, and assumption by the department or juvenile court services.

• Provides for the transition of home visiting services from Early Childhood Iowa boards to the ECFS system upon request, with safeguards for uninterrupted service and stakeholder involvement.

• Convenes a legislative interim study committee to review and advise on transition strategies, with a final report or bill draft due by January 8, 2027.

Signed by Governor June 2, 2026.