Iowa House Passes 25 Bills this Past Week

The bills passing through the House are posted below.

Obstruction

HF2751 creates a violation for obstructing a first responder after warning. This creates a 25-foot barrier for all first responders after individuals have been warned about their interference in that area. Vote 92-0

Grooming Behavior Definition

SF273 updates the definition of grooming behavior to mean ” any pattern of behavior, which in light of all relevant circumstances, constitutes action to entice or entrap a student with the intent to take advantage of such student for the benefit of the individual engaging in the pattern of behavior, including but not limited to by engaging in a sex act with the student.” Vote 92-0

Chronic Absenteeism Exemption

SF2219 requires that schools grant students an exempt absence when students are participating in school-sponsored activities, programs, competitions, or projects. They must allow the student to make up the classwork they missed. I was a NO vote because, in 2025, we passed a comprehensive absenteeism bill that requires schools to grant exemptions for school-sponsored activities. This is an unneeded bill, and when we start giving specific exemptions, we water down what was an excellent bill. Vote 85-9

Teach Iowa Scholar Changes

HF2752 removes the requirement that one must be in the top 25% of their class. 20% of awards shall be given to special education teachers, and 50% to teachers in rural school districts. An excellent bill to enhance the awards, especially for rural Iowa. Vote 91-1

Preschool Programs

SF2231 makes districts partner with community-based preschool providers upon request. Cleans up code sections that are not unconstitutional, relating to not allowing certain religious things. We have had some school systems that don’t work with community-based preschools; this will require that all community-based providers, upon request and qualification, be able to receive funds through a partnership with the local school district. Vote 65-25

Iowa Farm Act

HF2748 is a department bill for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. It includes the following sections:

Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program: Removes the cap on the division of the RFIP fund to ensure equitable application of the fund to ethanol and biodiesel. Now that the RFIP has been more fully funded, stakeholders have agreed that the biodiesel cap is no longer needed. It increases the static $100,000 that has been in place to $150,000 for IDALS to utilize to administer the RFIP program.

Preference for Beginning Farmers: Provides beginning farmers a preference in the dairy innovation and revitalization grant programs. The existing definition of beginning farmer will be used, as established in Iowa Finance Authority programs.

Butchery Revitalization: Moves this program from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to the IDALS code.

Grain Dealers: Reverts the law to its pre-2025 state. Removes the requirement for grain dealers who do not use credit sale contracts to undergo an unqualified audit. The law that changed in 2025 inadvertently included these dealers even though they do not use credit sale contracts. Further defines credit sale, effective for the indemnity fund, with more specific language as requested by IDALS, for when the credit sale becomes official/bound to the indemnity fund. Must be signed by both parties and possession of the grain.

This was a very large bill that addressed numerous issues, but the above are some of the important areas covered by the Iowa Farm Act. Vote 81-8

BILLS THIS WEEK

This week, the House passed 25 bills:

Monday

HF2746 – Reciprocal Tax Study with Wisconsin. Vote 91-0

SF2304 – Water Infrastructure. Vote 92-0

SF2341 – Approval of Meeting Minutes of Boards of Supervisors. Vote 63-29

HF2749 – Real Estate Transfer Tax. Vote 91-0

Tuesday

HF2678 – Secretary of State Fraud Prevention. Vote 92-0

SF2428 – Senate Classroom Behavior Bill. Vote 88-4

HF2591 – Athletic Sit Out Period. Vote 92-0 as amended

HF2434 – Direct Primary Care Referrals. Vote 92-0

HF2501 – SOS Election Bill. Vote 64-29

SF140 – Satellite Voting Station for School Bonds. Vote 63-29

HF640 – Self Storage Facilities. Vote 91-0

HF2200 – DOR Alcohol Beverage Control Bill.

Concurred on & Voted No = Sent Back to Senate

Wednesday

SF2280 – Protection for Judges & Members of AG’s Office. Vote 90-2

HF2636 – Zoning Change Protests. Vote 75-18

HF2744 – Uniform Rules on Agency Procedure. Vote 93-0

HF2750 – Fees on Wire Transmissions. Vote 60-32

HF2756 – Service Contracts. Vote 92-0

HF524 – Prohibiting Minors’ Use of Tanning Devices.

Concurred on & Voted No = Sent Back to Senate

HF1050 – No Property Tax for Above-Ground Storage. Vote 91-1

HF2753 – Prison Infrastructure. Vote 92-0

HF2755 – Scholarship Granting Organizations. Vote 89-3

ONGOING BILL VOTE

Unanimous: 106

Bipartisan: 99

Party Line: 9

Other: 12

(The other is a vote that passes with all Democrats and some Republican opposition)

Friday and Saturday carryover used on the story at 11:00 a.m.