April 18, 2025

This Week at the Capitol

• Iowa Senate approves constitutional amendment requiring supermajority to raise income taxes.

• House lawmakers investigate misallocation of $27.5M in Iowa court fees.

• Cedar Rapids-area (HD 78) special election set for April 29.
  

League's Priority Legislation

• HSB 328 / SSB 1227 | Property Tax System Overhaul 

  • Updated versions of the property tax overhaul were filed by Ways and Means Chairs last week. Read the League's unofficial analysis here.
    

• SF 588 | Public Notice Alignment – To the Governor! 

  • After unanimous passage through the Senate, SF 588 was passed by the House last week! Congratulations and thank you to all who advocated for this legislation!

Legislation that Advanced

HF 969 | Cancer Definition Expansion & Increased Employee Pension Contribution Rates

• To the Governor.

• Expands the definition of 'cancer' for police and fire first responders

  • Cancer claims are able to be run through the city's group health plan and are not presumed to be workplace-related.

• Increases the contribution rate of first responders for their retirement pension by 0.125% and lowers the city contribution by 0.125%.
  

SF 619 | Natural Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery

• To the Governor.

• Provides a framework for disaster recovery housing assistance, establishing a natural hazard mitigation financing program, and outlining the responsibilities and regulations for local municipalities in managing disaster response and recovery efforts.
  

• Read more here.
  

HF 645 | Immunity for Sports and Exposition Venues from Nuisance Actions

• To the Governor.

• Establishes immunity for sports and exposition venues from nuisance actions, provided they have been in operation for over a year and comply with local, state, and federal laws. It outlines specific conditions under which nuisance claims can be filed and protects venues from being deemed a nuisance due to changes in local conditions or reasonable expansions.
  

SF 574 | Construction Retainage Funds

• To the Governor.

• Reduces the amount of retained payments from a general contractor for the construction of public projects from 5% to 3%.
  

HF 652 | City and County Regulation Variance Authority

• To the Governor.

• Allows a Board of Adjustment to grant a variance with respect to the area or dimensions if not contrary to the public interest and where enforcement will make it difficult for the landowner to get beneficial use of the property; specifies examples.
  

HF 706 | Increased Penalties for Open Meetings & Open Records

• Passed the Senate along party lines.

• Increases the range of damages for violations of the Open Meetings law ($500-$2,500 for violations and $5,000 to $12,500 for knowing violations). Requires a court to order the removal of a member of a board for open meetings violations, regardless of whether damages are assessed. Requires the members of a government body to take training in Open Meetings/Records laws within 90 days of assuming responsibilities. Requires the IPIB to develop such training. Makes a member subject to damages for not completing the training.

• An amendment was added on the Senate floor making security footage and employee access logs confidential if they’re from Legislative-controlled camera systems or State-owned or leased facilities.

• Returns to the House for approval.
  

SF 311 | Civil Service Commissions

• Passed the House, as amended.
  

• An amendment was added restoring existing veterans’ preference and promotional appointment rules, strikes a section of the bill related to civil service procedures, and makes the legislation effective immediately upon enactment.

• Returns to the Senate for approval.
  

HF 1008 | Land Redevelopment Trusts

• Passed the House.

• Allows municipalities to create land redevelopment trusts to revitalize properties that are no longer generating tax revenue. The bill outlines the definitions of abandoned, blighted, and dilapidated properties, and provides a framework for the creation, governance, and powers of these trusts. It grants trusts the ability to acquire properties through various means, including tax sale certificates, while prohibiting the use of eminent domain.
  

SF 627 | Length of Service Award Programs for Volunteer Emergency Responders

• Passed Senate Committee as amended.

• Authorizes Iowa municipalities to establish length of service award programs (LOSAPs) for volunteer firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and reserve peace officers. Creates a state grant fund to support these local programs, providing matching funds up to $300 per volunteer, contingent on their own contributions. The fund is initially capitalized with $1.5 million from sports wagering receipts, with a mechanism to maintain that level annually. The Department of Revenue is tasked with administering the grant program. All provisions are repealed on July 1, 2030.
  

HSB 233 | Prohibiting Enforcement of International Organization Actions

• Passed House Committee.

• Deems actions by the UN or the World Economic Forum as not binding on Iowa and prohibits the state and local governments from enforcing such actions. Authorizes the AG to seek injunctive relief for violations.
  

You can view all editions of Legislative Link at iowaleague.org/resource/legislative-link.

Like our membership, the Iowa League of Cities is a non-partisan, service-oriented organization that does not participate in elections, make campaign contributions, or have a political action committee (PAC).