Bills Associated with Polk County

Realigns the health and human services system by designating 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for the statewide delivery of programs and services, replacing previous behavioral health districts. It updates terminology and structure throughout the code, consolidates planning and service areas for aging and disability services to match HHS district boundaries, and creates a new volunteerism subunit within HHS to support and coordinate volunteer activities and the Iowa commission on volunteer service. Other changes include clarifying advisory council composition and duties, and formalizing processes for designation, review, and modification of districts.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Replaces 'behavioral health districts' with 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for program delivery; initial HHS districts mirror existing behavioral health districts.

• Adds and updates definitions throughout the code, including creation of 'behavioral health district advisory councils' and 'behavioral health service system district plans'.

• Removes language that allowed judicial review of district boundary modifications by HHS; such decisions are now not subject to judicial review.

• Aligns planning and service areas for aging and disability services to exactly match new HHS district boundaries, contingent on federal approval.

• Revises the structure and duties of advisory councils for behavioral health districts, specifying membership requirements and functions.

• Creates a subunit for volunteerism within HHS to manage volunteer programs and provide support to the Iowa commission on volunteer service, including appointment of an executive director and staff.

• Clarifies that registered volunteers are considered state employees for liability purposes, with exceptions for volunteer guardians/conservators.

• Authorizes the commission on volunteer service to delegate non-policymaking administrative duties to the new subunit for volunteerism.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Provisions related to behavioral health districts takes effect April 30, 2026. Other provisions take effect July 1, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Realigns the health and human services system by designating 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for the statewide delivery of programs and services, replacing previous behavioral health districts. It updates terminology and structure throughout the code, consolidates planning and service areas for aging and disability services to match HHS district boundaries, and creates a new volunteerism subunit within HHS to support and coordinate volunteer activities and the Iowa commission on volunteer service. Other changes include clarifying advisory council composition and duties, and formalizing processes for designation, review, and modification of districts.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Replaces 'behavioral health districts' with 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for program delivery; initial HHS districts mirror existing behavioral health districts.

• Adds and updates definitions throughout the code, including creation of 'behavioral health district advisory councils' and 'behavioral health service system district plans'.

• Removes language that allowed judicial review of district boundary modifications by HHS; such decisions are now not subject to judicial review.

• Aligns planning and service areas for aging and disability services to exactly match new HHS district boundaries, contingent on federal approval.

• Revises the structure and duties of advisory councils for behavioral health districts, specifying membership requirements and functions.

• Creates a subunit for volunteerism within HHS to manage volunteer programs and provide support to the Iowa commission on volunteer service, including appointment of an executive director and staff.

• Clarifies that registered volunteers are considered state employees for liability purposes, with exceptions for volunteer guardians/conservators.

• Authorizes the commission on volunteer service to delegate non-policymaking administrative duties to the new subunit for volunteerism.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Provisions related to behavioral health districts takes effect April 30, 2026. Other provisions take effect July 1, 2026.

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 $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.

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.

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.

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. 

Sets budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation at $495.3 million for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. This is a decrease of $18.2 million and is funded through gas taxes. Effective 7/1/2026. For details go to:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605159.pdf.  

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.

Prohibits granting deferred or suspended sentences to individuals convicted of sexual exploitation of a child if the minor victim was under 12 years of age or prepubescent at the time of the offense. Two new provisions are added to the law specifying this restriction for both deferred and suspended sentences.

Key Points & Impact:

• Adds a new subparagraph to Iowa Code 907.3(2)(a) barring deferred sentences for sexual exploitation of a child if the victim was under 12 or prepubescent.

• Adds a new paragraph to Iowa Code 907.3(3) barring suspended sentences for sexual exploitation of a child if the victim was under 12 or prepubescent.

• Targets offenses under Iowa Code 728.12 (sexual exploitation of a child).

• Specifically applies to cases where the minor was under 12 or prepubescent at the time of the offense.

• Limits judicial discretion in sentencing for these specific offenses and age groups.

• Aims to increase penalties for the most serious offenses involving very young or prepubescent victims.

• Does not amend or affect other sentencing provisions outside these circumstances.

• No changes to other age groups or categories of sexual exploitation offenses.

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

The legislation modifies definitions and procedures related to interviews with children following reports of child abuse. Notably, it clarifies who may interview the child, allows for recording visible evidence of abuse, and establishes a process for law enforcement or child protection workers to seek court authorization to enter a home or interview/observe a child if parental or guardian permission is withheld, upon probable cause.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Expands the definition of 'interview' to include verbal exchanges with forensic interviewers at child protection or advocacy centers, not just child protection workers.

• Clarifies that child protection workers or forensic interviewers are not precluded from recording visible evidence of abuse.

• Requires immediate referral to law enforcement if a criminal act harming a child is alleged, even if the case is not assessed as child abuse or is handled under family assessment.

• Adds explicit legal authority for a court to authorize entry into the child's home, an interview, or observation of the child if the parent, legal guardian, or custodian does not grant permission, provided probable cause is demonstrated.

• Emphasizes the legal process for overriding parental or guardian refusal for access during investigations involving potential criminal acts against a child.

Signed by Governor on April 9. 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.

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.

Prohibits granting deferred or suspended sentences to individuals convicted of sexual exploitation of a child if the minor victim was under 12 years of age or prepubescent at the time of the offense. Two new provisions are added to the law specifying this restriction for both deferred and suspended sentences.

Key Points & Impact:

• Adds a new subparagraph to Iowa Code 907.3(2)(a) barring deferred sentences for sexual exploitation of a child if the victim was under 12 or prepubescent.

• Adds a new paragraph to Iowa Code 907.3(3) barring suspended sentences for sexual exploitation of a child if the victim was under 12 or prepubescent.

• Targets offenses under Iowa Code 728.12 (sexual exploitation of a child).

• Specifically applies to cases where the minor was under 12 or prepubescent at the time of the offense.

• Limits judicial discretion in sentencing for these specific offenses and age groups.

• Aims to increase penalties for the most serious offenses involving very young or prepubescent victims.

• Does not amend or affect other sentencing provisions outside these circumstances.

• No changes to other age groups or categories of sexual exploitation offenses.

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

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.

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.

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.

Creates a new section mandating minimum pretrial bond amounts for class 'A' and various classes of forcible felonies in Iowa, with annual adjustments for inflation. It requires courts to provide written justification if bail is set below these minimums, gives substantial weight to victim/community safety in violent crime cases, and modifies the procedures for bond deposit and pretrial release evaluations. The Judicial Council is tasked with updating the uniform bond schedule for inflation. Key Points & Impacts: Establishes minimum pretrial bond amounts for class 'A' and forcible felonies: $500,000 (Class A), $25,000 (Class B), $10,000 (Class C), $5,000 (Class D); courts must provide written justification if setting bail below the minimums, considering factors set forth in existing law; minimum bond amounts are presumed reasonable but can be adjusted if found excessive to assure appearance or safety, with on-record findings required; in violent crime cases, courts must give substantial weight to victim and community safety when determining bond; removes language limiting bond deposits to 10% of the total bond amount, requiring deposit of the specified full amount instead; pretrial release evaluations by the Department of Corrections must have all information verified before submission to the magistrate; Judicial Council is directed to update the bond schedule for inflation and submit to the Supreme Court by July 1, 2027, with annual adjustments thereafter; and clarifies procedures for bond review by magistrate, district court, and appellate court.

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

Modifies which city utility projects are excluded from the definition of 'public improvement' under public construction bidding law. It expands the exclusion to include equipment acquired by city utilities for electric generation or transmission projects, as well as for existing utility infrastructure or establishing connections to such infrastructure. Construction, repair, or maintenance work performed for a city utility related to electric generation or transmission projects is also newly excluded. These changes affect the applicability of public bidding requirements and related statutes for certain city utility projects.

Key Points & Impacts

• Adds equipment acquired by city utilities for electric generation or transmission projects, existing utility infrastructure, or connections to such infrastructure as excluded from the definition of 'public improvement.'

• Expands exclusion to construction, repair, or maintenance work performed for city utilities when related to electric generation or transmission projects.

• Specifies that exclusions apply whether work is performed by utility employees or otherwise relates to specified infrastructure or connections.

• Clarifies that 'utility infrastructure' includes facilities for water, sewage, waste, electricity, gas, or telecommunications service.

• Reduces the number of city utility projects subject to public construction bidding requirements under Code chapter 26.

• Affects related statutes that reference 'public improvement,' including those governing lease-purchase contracts and local government finance.

• Removes previous language limiting exclusions only to work performed by employees or certain types of work.

• May provide city utilities with greater flexibility for procurement on certain projects without public bidding.

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

Requires that thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons be conducted as separate, non-overlapping meets, with exceptions only if there is mutual written agreement among relevant horse owners' associations and the racetrack licensee in Polk County. It strikes prior language and adds new statutory requirements to clarify and enforce the independence of racing seasons for each breed, while allowing for mixed meets only by mutual consent. The bill also includes legislative findings addressing a recent interpretation by the state racing and gaming commission.

Key Points & Impacts

• Strikes previous provision that allowed thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons to be run independently unless mutually agreed upon by relevant associations and the Polk County racetrack licensee.

• Adds new section mandating that thoroughbred and quarter horse racing seasons be conducted as separate, stand-alone meets that do not overlap, except by mutual written agreement.

• Prohibits races for both breeds from being scheduled or conducted on the same calendar day, unless there is a written agreement among the involved parties.

• Prevents the racing season for one breed from commencing before the other breed's season has concluded, unless there is mutual written agreement.

• Defines a 'mixed meet' as overlapping or concurrent periods of racing for both breeds, which can only occur by mutual written agreement.

• Requires that any arrangement for mixed meets be documented in writing by the thoroughbred and quarter horse owners' associations and the Polk County racetrack licensee.

• Addresses and overrides a recent state racing and gaming commission interpretation that suggested such races could be held on the same day without mutual agreement, reaffirming legislative intent for independent racing seasons.

• Provides legislative findings clarifying the intent and application of these requirements.

Signed by Governor May 19, 2026. 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.

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.

Realigns the health and human services system by designating 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for the statewide delivery of programs and services, replacing previous behavioral health districts. It updates terminology and structure throughout the code, consolidates planning and service areas for aging and disability services to match HHS district boundaries, and creates a new volunteerism subunit within HHS to support and coordinate volunteer activities and the Iowa commission on volunteer service. Other changes include clarifying advisory council composition and duties, and formalizing processes for designation, review, and modification of districts.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Replaces 'behavioral health districts' with 'health and human services districts' (HHS districts) for program delivery; initial HHS districts mirror existing behavioral health districts.

• Adds and updates definitions throughout the code, including creation of 'behavioral health district advisory councils' and 'behavioral health service system district plans'.

• Removes language that allowed judicial review of district boundary modifications by HHS; such decisions are now not subject to judicial review.

• Aligns planning and service areas for aging and disability services to exactly match new HHS district boundaries, contingent on federal approval.

• Revises the structure and duties of advisory councils for behavioral health districts, specifying membership requirements and functions.

• Creates a subunit for volunteerism within HHS to manage volunteer programs and provide support to the Iowa commission on volunteer service, including appointment of an executive director and staff.

• Clarifies that registered volunteers are considered state employees for liability purposes, with exceptions for volunteer guardians/conservators.

• Authorizes the commission on volunteer service to delegate non-policymaking administrative duties to the new subunit for volunteerism.

Signed by Governor April 30, 2026. Provisions related to behavioral health districts takes effect April 30, 2026. Other provisions take effect July 1, 2026.

Sets budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation at $495.3 million for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. This is a decrease of $18.2 million and is funded through gas taxes. Effective 7/1/2026. For details go to:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605159.pdf.  

Prohibits local governments from issuing county- or city-specific identification cards to residents. Exceptions are made for counties authorized to issue state-regulated IDs (driver’s licenses, nonoperator IDs, and disability identification devices), and for the issuance of identification to county or city employees and elected officials in relation to their job duties.

Key Points & Impact:

• Counties are prohibited from issuing county-specific identification cards to residents except as explicitly allowed.

• Counties authorized under chapter 321M may still issue driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards, and persons with disabilities identification devices.

• Counties may issue identification cards to their employees or elected officials for job-related purposes.

• Cities are prohibited from issuing city-specific identification cards to residents except as explicitly allowed.

• Cities are permitted to issue identification cards to their employees or elected officials for job-related purposes.

• Bill targets the elimination of locally issued resident IDs, with the intent to standardize identification issuance statewide.

• No changes are made to the processes for issuing state-regulated forms of identification or employee/elected official IDs.

• The bill does not impact the issuance of identification for employment or official government duties.

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.

Mandates that all counties and cities in Iowa must divest themselves of any mineral rights they own or control, such as rights to coal, gas, oil, and other resources underlying real estate. These rights must be conveyed, without consideration or expense, to the current surface owner of the respective land. All required conveyances must be completed within five years of the bill's effective date.  Effective 6/2/2026.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Defines 'interest in minerals' as a perpetual interest in real estate for ownership of minerals, excluding leases for mineral removal.

• Defines 'minerals' to include coal, gas, oil, hydrocarbons, oil shale, gemstones, ores, and geothermal resources.

• Counties are required to divest and transfer any mineral interests they own to the surface landowners at no cost.

• Cities are similarly required to divest and transfer any mineral interests they own to the surface landowners at no cost.

• Transfers must be completed within five years from the bill's effective date.

• Conveyances must be made without consideration (i.e., for free) and without cost to the surface owner.

• Affects all mineral rights owned or controlled by counties and cities, regardless of how acquired.

• Establishes a clear process and timeline for conveyance of public mineral interests to private landowners.

Requires counties and cities to permit at least one ADU on the same lot as a single-family residence in zoning districts where such residences are principal uses. It refines how the size of ADUs is calculated, excludes unfinished basements, and removes the ability to restrict ADUs based on state historic building codes. Instead, it allows regulation of ADUs in historic districts only if deemed incongruous by the relevant preservation authority, who must document its reasoning. The bill also clarifies how 'size' is defined for these purposes.

Key Points & Impacts

• Counties and cities must allow at least one ADU per lot in zoning districts permitting single-family residences as a principal use.

• ADU size calculations must exclude unfinished basements, potentially allowing for larger ADUs than previously permitted if basements are unfinished.

• Removes the restriction allowing state historic building codes to prohibit or limit ADUs; only deed restrictions or rules of common interest communities can do so.

• ADUs may be regulated in historic preservation districts or areas of historical significance only if the relevant commission or city determines the proposed ADU would be incongruous with the area's character and documents its reasoning.

• Defines 'size' for ADU purposes as the gross living area of the primary dwelling, excluding garages, decks, and unheated porches, providing clarity for compliance.

• The bill prohibits more restrictive ADU regulations on common interest communities compared to single-family residences in general zoning.

• If a manufactured or mobile home is used as an ADU, it must be placed on a permanent foundation and assessed for real estate taxes as real property.

• Establishes a higher threshold for limiting ADUs in historic districts, shifting decision-making from blanket code restrictions to specific, documented determinations.

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

Amends Iowa law regarding the display of the U.S. and Iowa state flags on public buildings. It defines 'public building,' clarifies duties for providing and displaying flags, requires compliance with gubernatorial half-staff proclamations, and establishes a process for reporting and enforcing compliance. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Defines 'public building' as any vertical improvement used for public purposes by the state or its subdivisions.

• Clarifies that the board of public officers must provide a suitable state flag and that custodians must raise both the U.S. and Iowa state flags on favorable secular days.

• Requires custodians and boards to lower flags to half-staff when directed by a governor's proclamation.

• Allows any person to report violations of the half-staff requirement to the attorney general.

• Authorizes the attorney general to take legal action, including injunctive relief, to enforce compliance with half-staff proclamations.

• Replaces ambiguous duty language with clear mandates for flag display and compliance.

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. 

Establishes licensure requirements for massage therapy establishments, effective January 1, 2027. It defines 'establishment' and 'sole practitioner,' sets forth detailed application and inspection requirements, mandates criminal background checks for owners, and outlines recordkeeping standards. The bill authorizes the board to deny, revoke, or suspend licenses for specific violations or criminal history. It also amends existing law to reference establishments rather than facilities and adds establishment license requirements to identification checks during peace officer investigations. Certain locations and sole practitioners are exempt from the licensure requirement. The board is directed to adopt rules for implementation, including sanitation, inspection, and record retention standards. Penalties for violations are specified, including civil penalties and criminal misdemeanors for noncompliance. Effective 7/1/2027.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Defines 'establishment' and 'sole practitioner' for regulatory purposes, clarifying which entities require licensure and which are exempt (e.g., sole practitioners, student clinics, certain health facilities).

• Requires all massage establishments (with exemptions) to obtain a license from the board starting January 1, 2027, with application, fee, and background check requirements for owners.

• Mandates national criminal history checks for establishment owners, with possible exemptions for those previously fingerprinted for massage therapist licensure.

• Empowers the board to inspect establishments before licensing, biennially thereafter, or upon complaint, and to deny, revoke, or suspend licenses for disqualifying criminal history, misconduct, or fraudulent applications.

• Establishes detailed recordkeeping requirements for establishments, including records of therapists, clients, appointments, and receipts, to be maintained for three years.

• Amends existing law to replace references to 'facility' with 'establishment,' and expands penalties to include unlicensed operation of an establishment.

• Requires licensed individuals to present both their personal and establishment licenses (if applicable) and government ID upon peace officer request; failure to comply is a serious misdemeanor.

• Directs the board to adopt rules regarding licensure, sanitation, inspections, building codes, record retention, and license transfers.

Establishes a Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Board within the DOT. The board is responsible for developing, publishing, and updating statewide urban design and specifications standards for public improvement projects. The board's membership includes representatives from state agencies and various professional associations. The bill mandates that counties and cities are financially responsible for additional costs arising from projects that do not comply with these standards, while shielding property owners from being assessed those costs. The board must also publish analyses of changes to standards and associated cost estimates. You can read the Governor's veto message here. 

Key Points & Impacts

• Creates the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Board within the DOT to develop and publish statewide urban design standards and specifications.

• Board membership includes employees from the DOT and representatives from county, city, contractor, builder, asphalt, and real estate associations.

• The board is required to publish both a design manual and a specifications manual on the DOT website.

• Any changes to the manuals must be accompanied by a public analysis and estimated cost variation.

• Counties and cities that approve project plans not compliant with these standards are responsible for paying any additional costs resulting from noncompliance.

• Property owners cannot be assessed costs resulting from local government noncompliance with design standards for projects on or adjacent to their property.

• Board members serve four-year terms without state compensation (except for state employees' regular pay during work hours).

• The board is exempt from dissolution under Iowa Code section 4A.5.

Expands the regulation of mining activities by addressing subsidence — the collapse, settling, or sinking of land — that occurs at or above underground mines located on public land or within public rights-of-way. The definition of "affected land" is broadened to include known or reported subsidence. A new definition of "subsidence" is added, and a new Code section (208.9A) directs the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality to adopt rules regulating subsidence-affected land, including reporting requirements, qualifications of professionals submitting repair plans, and timeliness of repairs. The Division must adopt emergency rules within sixty business days. Effective 6/2/2026.

Key Points & Impacts

• Amends the definition of 'affected land' in Section 208.2(2) to explicitly include a known or reported subsidence as well as processing and stockpile areas disturbed during mining.

• Adds a new definition of 'subsidence' meaning the collapse, settling, or sinking of land at or above an underground mine on public land or in a public right-of-way that is caused by mining activity.

• Explicitly excludes from 'subsidence' any naturally occurring collapse or sinking, or that resulting from geological, hydrological, seismic, environmental, or other non-mining causes.

• Creates new Code Section 208.9A requiring the Division to adopt rules regulating land affected by subsidence.

• Required rules must address reporting of subsidence, qualifications of professional engineers or other qualified persons submitting subsidence repair plans, and the timeliness of planned repairs.

• Directs the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality (within the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship) to adopt emergency rules within 60 business days of the effective date.

• Emergency rules are effective immediately upon filing unless a later date is specified, and must also be published as a notice of intended action.

• Act is deemed of immediate importance and takes effect upon enactment; penalties under Chapter 208 are made applicable to subsidence regulation violations.

Changes the distribution formula for the juvenile detention home fund, requiring $150,000 be distributed to each eligible county or multicounty juvenile detention home. Any remaining appropriated funds will then be distributed proportionally based on each home's share of the total costs of all eligible homes in the immediately preceding fiscal year. The bill also updates language to reference the 'immediately preceding fiscal year' instead of 'prior fiscal year.' Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Replaces distribution solely by cost proportion with a two-step allocation process.

• Mandates $150,000 be distributed to each eligible juvenile detention home first.

• Any remaining funds are to be allocated based on each home's proportion of total costs from the immediately preceding fiscal year.

• Clarifies that the fiscal year in question is the 'immediately preceding fiscal year,' updating prior terminology.

• Applies to both county and multicounty juvenile detention homes.

• Ensures base funding for each eligible home before prorated distribution of excess funds.

• May impact the distribution amounts to homes depending on their relative operational costs.

Allows nonresidents who own real property in Iowa and use their vehicles primarily at that property to provide alternative information when applying for vehicle registration and a certificate of title. Instead of the primary user's Iowa-specific information, these nonresidents may provide a driver's license or identification card from another state and must supply reasonable proof of property ownership in Iowa. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impact:

• Creates an exception for nonresident vehicle owners who own Iowa real property and use vehicles primarily at that property.

• Allows these nonresidents to submit an out-of-state driver's license or identification card number instead of Iowa-issued identification or primary user information.

• Requires reasonable proof of Iowa property ownership to be included with the application, as determined by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

• DOT is mandated to adopt rules specifying acceptable proof of property ownership.

• Removes the requirement for Iowa-specific identification for these nonresident applicants in certain circumstances.

• Preserves confidentiality by not printing the primary user’s name and address on the registration receipt or certificate of title.

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

Requires public corporations provide written notice of the date of final acceptance of a public improvement to specific parties no later than 14 calendar days after such acceptance. It specifies the parties to be notified and establishes that the public corporation is not liable for any claims or damages arising from failure to provide this notice. Effective 7/1/2026.

Key Points & Impact:

• Requires public corporations to send written notification of the date of final acceptance of a public improvement within 14 calendar days after such acceptance.

• Notification must be sent to the principal contractor, surety on any bond for the contract, and any claimant for labor or material who has filed a claim.

• Establishes a new paragraph (b) in Code section 573.16(1) detailing this requirement.

• Specifies that the public corporation will not be liable for any claims or damages resulting from its failure to comply with the notification requirement.

• Does not alter the existing 30- to 60-day window for parties to bring action in equity following completion and acceptance of an improvement.

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 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. 

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.

Requires passive radon mitigation for new single-family and two-family homes.

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

Denies minors the right to consent to vaccinations for a sexually transmitted disease or infection.

Key Points & Impact:

• Adds language clarifying that minors cannot consent to vaccinations for sexually transmitted diseases or infections on their own.

• Minors still retain the ability to consent to other medical care or services (prevention, diagnosis, treatment) for sexually transmitted diseases or infections.

• The prohibition applies specifically to vaccinations, not to other forms of STD prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.

• Removes the blanket legal capacity previously granted to minors for all STD-related care, narrowing their medical autonomy.

• Consent for STD vaccinations must now be provided by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.

• Other aspects of care (such as testing and medication) for STDs remain accessible to minors without parental consent.

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

Exempts property taxes levied for emergency medical services from being diverted into urban renewal (TIF) special funds. This ensures that these EMS levies are collected and used directly for EMS purposes, rather than being included in urban renewal revenue allocations. The change is effective for property taxes due for fiscal years starting July 1, 2027, or later.

Key Points & Impacts

• Amends Iowa Code §403.19 to address division of revenue in urban renewal projects.

• Exempts property taxes levied for emergency medical services under Chapters 357F, 357G, or 422D from TIF revenue diversion.

• EMS levies will be collected against all taxable property within the taxing district, without limitation by TIF provisions.

• Protects dedicated EMS funding from being redirected to urban renewal special funds.

• Change ensures more consistent funding for emergency medical services in affected districts.

• Applicability provision: applies to property taxes due in fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027 or later.

• Does not affect other special levies, such as school district physical plant or instructional support levies, which remain exempted as before.

• Promotes fiscal stability and transparency for EMS services by excluding their levies from TIF mechanisms.

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

Requires the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) verify the citizenship and immigration status of all applicants for driver's licenses or nonoperator identification cards who do not provide proof of U.S. citizenship. The verification must be conducted using the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) program or a similar federal system. The DOT is prohibited from issuing or renewing these documents if the applicant does not provide proof of citizenship and cannot be verified as lawfully present in the U.S. Effective 3/1/2027 or when the Iowa DOT submits administrative code sections upon implementation of its new records system.

Key Points & Impact:

• Requires DOT to use the federal SAVE program (or successor system) to verify citizenship or immigration status for applicants lacking proof of U.S. citizenship.

• Applies to both issuance and renewal of driver’s licenses and nonoperator identification cards.

• DOT cannot issue or renew licenses or IDs if the applicant cannot prove U.S. citizenship and cannot be verified as lawfully present.

• Defines the SAVE program as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• Applies to all new applicants and renewals where citizenship proof is not provided.

• Establishes a legal requirement for verification before granting state identification documents.

Sets budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation at $495.3 million for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. This is a decrease of $18.2 million and is funded through gas taxes. Effective 7/1/2026. For details go to:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/NOBA/1605159.pdf.  

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.

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).

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.