To the People of House District 46:

Senate File 2201: SSA Final Agreement
Much progress was made this week on securing a final deal for Supplemental State Aid for K-12 Schools. On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee met to pass the Senate’s SSA bill with an amendment.

• While the Senate’s bill originally called for setting SSA at 1.75%, our amendment set SSA at 2.25%.
• It also included $14 million to increase pay for educational support staff. Our goal in fighting for this funding every year for the past few years is to raise the pay for our paraprofessionals who do such essential, difficult work.

• Sets SSA at 2%. This amounts to $8,148 per student, an increase of $160 over last school year.
• Makes changes to the enrollment count process to ensure schools are funded accurately based on their actual student numbers.
• Shifts the funding source for the budget guarantee to the state, ensuring local property taxes don’t rise to meet the budget guarantee requirement.
• House Republicans also secured $7 million of the $14 million we originally proposed to increase pay for paraprofessionals. House Republicans will continue to fight for the other $7 million in the appropriations negotiations later in session.

 
Iowa Public Schools Spend Almost $24,000 Per K-12 Student
We often hear the complaint that we are underfunding public schools, but the numbers seem to tell a different story. According to the most recent Certified Annual Report related to Iowa school funding, Iowa public schools spent $23,711.08 per K-12 student during the 2023-2024 school year. The total number of students that school year was 483,698.7.  The average class size in Iowa is roughly 20 students.  That means Iowa is spending almost $474,000 per classroom. The average teacher salary in Iowa is about $63,500.  With benefits included, it is about $85,000.  That means roughly $389,000 of non-teacher salary spending per classroom.

Iowa’s K-12 public schools receive funding from three levels of government.  Local, state and federal governments all provide various amounts of tax dollars for K-12 school districts.  Across all three levels of funding plus various other financing sources, the total amount of taxpayer funding in the 2023-2024 school year for public schools was about $11.6 billion. That is certainly a significant taxpayer investment into Iowa’s K-12 public schools.
 
House Study Bill 751: Right to Repair
Iowa House Republicans have been focused on supporting and strengthening Iowa’s farm economy. This week, the House Agriculture Committee advanced HSB 751 to slash the skyrocketing repair costs that are tightening the squeeze on Iowa farm families. Farmers are problem-solvers known for their self-reliance. When something breaks, their preference is to fix it themselves whenever possible.

Unfortunately, as farm equipment has become more technologically advanced, some companies have retained information that is essential to repairing farm equipment. The bills generally require farm equipment manufacturers to give farmers the same diagnostic and repair information, including technical updates and software updates, that they make available to authorized repair providers. With repair costs skyrocketing, farmers shouldn't be forced to pay premium dealership rates for simple fixes. By opening up the "Right to Repair," we are putting money back into the pockets of Iowa farm families.
 
In the middle of harvest, every hour a tractor sits idle is money lost. When something breaks in the field, farmers don't want to wait for a technician—they want the freedom to fix it themselves. This bill complements House File 2529, passed recently to secure the right to repair Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. By advancing these bills, House Republicans are securing the freedom to farm and proving—once again—that we have the backs of Iowa’s farm families.

Iowans Gain Right to Repair Under House Republican Legislation
 
Iowa House Republicans have been focused on supporting and strengthening Iowa’s farm economy. A major expenditure within a farm’s finances is the repair of agricultural equipment.  Farmers consistently report to legislators that the costs of repair have skyrocketed over the past few years.  As natural and dedicated do-it-yourselfers, fixing equipment is a part of farming.  It is only natural then that farmers have asked their government to provide more freedom in the ability to repair their own equipment. As farm equipment (similar to cars and trucks) has become more technologically advanced, some companies have retained information essential to repairing farm equipment.
 
Two bills were passed by the House Agriculture Committee this week, HSB 751 (Right to Repair) and HF 2529 (Right to Repair for Diesel Exhaust Fluid DEF). The bills generally provide that original farm equipment manufacturers must make the diagnostic and repair information, including technical updates and software updates, in the same manner that the manufacturer makes that information available to authorized repair providers. Thus providing farmers with the “Right to Repair” their own equipment.  The bills show House Republicans’ continuing commitment to the farmers of Iowa.
 

1. Hold a public hearing explaining the local authority’s reasons for the moratorium or standards different than the statewide guidelines and explain how they are necessary to prevent an adverse impact on the health or safety of their residents or public facilities.
2. Notify property taxpayers of lost revenue to the county based on the local moratorium/standards.

• Interactive digital entertainment program
• Game studio investment matching program
• Game industry fellowship program
• Game studio grant program

• solidifies accredited nonpublic school autonomy;
• creates a revolving loan fund for charter schools and nonpublic schools to help with purchasing, acquiring, developing, reconstruction, remodeling, and replacing school buildings;
• makes sure that charter school teachers are eligible for IPERS;
• and says that public schools have to work with community partners for preschool.

• Requires continuing education on nutrition for certain doctors and physician assistants. This section was a component of Iowa’s Rural Health Transportation Program (RHTP) application.
• Allows for additional health services to change without certificate of need approval, including replacement equipment, air transportation, open heart services, organ transplantation services, behavioral health outpatient services, and bed capacity changes. This section was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.
• Changes certificate of need process to a public comment period rather than a public hearing
• Requires healthy foods for SNAP and summer EBT
• Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin for human consumption as an over-the-counter medicine without liability
• Prohibits schools from providing food and beverages with certain ingredients starting July 1, 2027 (section 20)
• Requires Iowa to join the Psychology Compact with 43 states, including all states surrounding Iowa. This section was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.

• Helping the Disabled:
  • Makes the following changes to the Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities Program:
    • Expands eligibility from 250% FPL to 300% FPL. DHHS estimates this will cost $3 million in FY27, $5 million in FY28 and $9.7 million in FY29.
    • Excludes pension accounts from income eligibility determinations. DHHS estimates this will cost $1.275 million in FY27, $1.945 million in FY28 and $3.8 million in FY29.
    • Strikes limits on DHHS charging premiums
    • Requires DHHS to maintain a website for individuals to pay premiums electronically
  • Requires a study and annual reporting on Medicaid Exceptions to Policy
  • Requires an increased base reimbursement rate for HCBS providers in rural areas to cover the travel time and expenses incurred
  • Requires DHHS to amend rules regarding the rates of special population nursing facilities to allow for the transfer of high-needs individuals from ChildServe to On With Life.
  • Requires DHHS to convene a work group to examine the unique service needs of high-acuity pediatric recipients of Medicaid and hawk-I with a report due to the legislature.
• OBBB Implementation:
  • OBBB requires states to cost share in SNAP costs if payment error rate exceeds 6% beginning in FFY2028 and removes the ability for a state to waive erroneous excessive payments under Medicaid if they exceed 3% error rate.
    • This bill requires DHHS to submit quarterly reports to the legislature detailing SNAP and Medicaid error rates.
    • This bill seeks multiple waiver requests regarding the SNAP error rate including excluding individuals under 22 years of age from income, allow for automated sources to determine eligibility/benefits, require benefits to be used within 3 months, and only attribute the errors of DHHS to the SNAP error rate
    • Requires full implementation of SF494 from 2023 by January 1, 2027.
  • OBBB require that beginning October 1, 2028, Medicaid expansion states must provide “for the imposition of such deductions, cost sharing, or similar charges determined appropriate by the State” (in an amount greater than $0 but below $35) to individuals between 100%-138% FPL.
    • This bill codifies the current practice of $8 copay for nonemergent use of the ER and $5 monthly contribution for not receiving a preventative health exam. Additionally, this bill prevents individuals from re-enrolling in IHWP after multiple failures to pay $5 monthly contribution unless they pay back premiums.
    • This bill allows IHWP providers to impose a fee of $5 or less on a member based on their failure to attend a scheduled appointment with the provider.
    • This bill also imposes a $5 copay for diagnostic dental procedures and $1 copay for a prescription drug when a suitable generic equivalent drug is available to the member.
• Welfare Reform:
  • Allows DHHS to require proof of at least 12 months of residency in Iowa on applications for public assistance. This section exempts individuals receiving Social Security.
  • Requires DHHS to restrict participating in WIC to citizens and qualified aliens and codifies use of the SAVE program for public assistance eligibility.
  • Codifies the DIAL annual public assistance fraud report
• Ensuring Legislative Oversight:
  • Requires DHHS to do a cost neutral analysis prior to submitting a waiver request for Medicaid to CMS. If the waiver is determined to be not cost neutral to the state, DHHS shall not submit the request unless approved by a majority vote of both chambers of the legislature.

• Removes the 10 day limit
• Prohibits prior authorization for admission and the first 15 days of treatment. Allows MCOs to review for medical necessity after 45 days of treatment and once every 30 days following.
• Prohibits MCOs from discharging a patient without proper mental health supports in place
• Requires private health insurance coverage
• Establishes a PMIC bed tracking system
• Requires DHHS and DIAL to review rules to removes barriers to subacute care

• Requires continuing education on nutrition for certain doctors and physician assistants. This section was a component of Iowa’s Rural Health Transportation Program (RHTP) application.
• Allows for additional health services to change without certificate of need approval, including replacement equipment, air transportation, open heart services, organ transplantation services, behavioral health outpatient services, and bed capacity changes. This section was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.
• Changes certificate of need process to a public comment period rather than a public hearing
• Requires healthy foods for SNAP and summer EBT
• Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin for human consumption as an over-the-counter medicine without liability
• Prohibits schools from providing food and beverages with certain ingredients starting July 1, 2027 (section 20)
• Requires Iowa to join the Psychology Compact with 43 states, including all states surrounding Iowa. This section was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.

• Helping the Disabled:
  • Makes the following changes to the Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities Program:
    • Expands eligibility from 250% FPL to 300% FPL. DHHS estimates this will cost $3 million in FY27, $5 million in FY28 and $9.7 million in FY29.
    • Excludes pension accounts from income eligibility determinations. DHHS estimates this will cost $1.275 million in FY27, $1.945 million in FY28 and $3.8 million in FY29.
    • Strikes limits on DHHS charging premiums
    • Requires DHHS to maintain a website for individuals to pay premiums electronically
  • Requires a study and annual reporting on Medicaid Exceptions to Policy
  • Requires an increased base reimbursement rate for HCBS providers in rural areas to cover the travel time and expenses incurred
  • Requires DHHS to amend rules regarding the rates of special population nursing facilities to allow for the transfer of high-needs individuals from ChildServe to On With Life.
  • Requires DHHS to convene a work group to examine the unique service needs of high-acuity pediatric recipients of Medicaid and hawk-I with a report due to the legislature.
• OBBB Implementation:
  • OBBB requires states to cost share in SNAP costs if payment error rate exceeds 6% beginning in FFY2028 and removes the ability for a state to waive erroneous excessive payments under Medicaid if they exceed 3% error rate.
    • This bill requires DHHS to submit quarterly reports to the legislature detailing SNAP and Medicaid error rates.
    • This bill seeks multiple waiver requests regarding the SNAP error rate including excluding individuals under 22 years of age from income, allow for automated sources to determine eligibility/benefits, require benefits to be used within 3 months, and only attribute the errors of DHHS to the SNAP error rate
    • Requires full implementation of SF494 from 2023 by January 1, 2027.
  • OBBB require that beginning October 1, 2028, Medicaid expansion states must provide “for the imposition of such deductions, cost sharing, or similar charges determined appropriate by the State” (in an amount greater than $0 but below $35) to individuals between 100%-138% FPL.
    • This bill codifies the current practice of $8 copay for nonemergent use of the ER and $5 monthly contribution for not receiving a preventative health exam. Additionally, this bill prevents individuals from re-enrolling in IHWP after multiple failures to pay $5 monthly contribution unless they pay back premiums.
    • This bill allows IHWP providers to impose a fee of $5 or less on a member based on their failure to attend a scheduled appointment with the provider.
    • This bill also imposes a $5 copay for diagnostic dental procedures and $1 copay for a prescription drug when a suitable generic equivalent drug is available to the member.
• Welfare Reform:
  • Allows DHHS to require proof of at least 12 months of residency in Iowa on applications for public assistance. This section exempts individuals receiving Social Security.
  • Requires DHHS to restrict participating in WIC to citizens and qualified aliens and codifies use of the SAVE program for public assistance eligibility.
  • Codifies the DIAL annual public assistance fraud report
• Ensuring Legislative Oversight:
  • Requires DHHS to do a cost neutral analysis prior to submitting a waiver request for Medicaid to CMS. If the waiver is determined to be not cost neutral to the state, DHHS shall not submit the request unless approved by a majority vote of both chambers of the legislature.

• Removes the 10 day limit
• Prohibits prior authorization for admission and the first 15 days of treatment. Allows MCOs to review for medical necessity after 45 days of treatment and once every 30 days following.
• Prohibits MCOs from discharging a patient without proper mental health supports in place
• Requires private health insurance coverage
• Establishes a PMIC bed tracking system
• Requires DHHS and DIAL to review rules to removes barriers to subacute care

• Manufacturing 
• Healthcare/Nursing 
• Law Enforcement & Emergency Services 
• Military  
• Culinary, Restaurant & Hospitality  
• Agriculture  
• Commercial & Residential Construction  
• Heavy Equipment Operators  
• Trucking/Driver  
• Automotive  
• IT & Cybersecurity  
• Energy  

1. & More!  

Bill to Move City and School Elections to Even Years Advances
 
This week the Local Government Committee reported out of committee House File 2191. As amended, the bill moves school board and city elections from November in odd years to even year general elections. If enacted, that means every even year Iowans would get to vote on all elected officials. This change likely means more civic engagement and higher voter turnout for city and school elections. These elections, currently held in odd years, have a large impact on property tax policies and policies that directly affect Iowans where they live. 
 
After moving school board elections to November starting in 2019 Iowa saw a 156% increase in school board election turnout. The increases we have seen in voter turnout for local elections since 2019 has been an important step in increasing Iowans’ voice in policies that directly affect their local community. By having all elections held in November of even years we can continue to increase voter turnout for these local elections.
 

State and Federal Water Quality Programs In Iowa Reach Over
 $500 Million Annually
 
Iowa is has been dedicated to improving water quality for decades through soil conservation and land management. In 2013 the financial commitment compounded even further with the passage of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS). The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) is implemented by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa State University. 
 
Last week, the House Natural Resources Committee hosted a speaker from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to update legislators on the state of water quality programming in Iowa. In 2023 (the most recent year available) the combined federal and state investment in water was over $500 million.  The INRS “dashboard” demonstrates farmer’s adoption of practices along with the ever-increasing number of acres that are protected in Iowa. The presentation showed amazing aerial lidar images of farms over time, showing startling detail of conservation practices. Pictures don’t lie, and the watershed specific lidar images that monitor the adoption of practices over the past few decades show the huge increases in farmer’s investments.
 
Efforts are ongoing but progress on Iowa’s water quality is real and accelerating.
 

Public Safety Wraps Up First Funnel In a Bipartisan Manner
 
The last Public Safety meetings of first funnel were filled with bi-partisan work. Below are some bills that received votes from Republicans and Democrats.
 
HSB 705 Drug Free Homeless Service Zones
House Study Bill 705 proposes the creation of "drug-free homeless service zones" in Iowa, establishing stricter penalties for drug-related offenses near facilities that serve the homeless and receive government funding. The bill makes it a criminal offense to sell or attempt to sell controlled substances within 300 feet of these facilities and holds facility operators criminally responsible if they knowingly allow clients to possess or use drugs on the premises. Penalties for violations are heightened, including longer sentences, mandatory fines, and a loss of eligibility for certain state assistance grants for offending facilities. The bill also requires that clearly visible signs be posted at the main entrances to these facilities to mark them as drug-free zones.
 
 HSB 752- Regulating Foreign Entities, Drones and International Directives
House Study Bill 752 addresses concerns about foreign influence and technology. The bill bans state and local governments from using drones made by certain foreign companies—especially those linked to countries seen as security risks—and require officials to switch to safer, approved drones. It would also make it a crime to fly foreign-made drones near important sites, like power plants or military bases.
 
The bill sets new rules for people who work in Iowa as agents or lobbyists for foreign governments, requiring them to officially register and report their activities.
 
Finally, International health or government organizations (like the United Nations or World Health Organization) cannot force any rules or orders on Iowa unless the state legislature specifically agrees to them. Iowa agencies and officials would be required to ignore and not help enforce any international regulations unless Iowa lawmakers have approved them first.
 
HSB 732- Electronic Court Notification System
This bill requires the Iowa state court administrator to establish an electronic notification system by July 1, 2027, for all pending and future criminal cases. Through this system, individuals involved in criminal proceedings—including defendants, victims, witnesses, attorneys, and legal guardians—would receive text-based notifications about case events, appearance reminders, and fee information. The system must ensure the confidentiality of nonpublic information.
 

1. Fiscal Responsibility: The resolution addresses the pressing issue of national debt by advocating for amendments that promote responsible budgeting and spending practices at the federal level. This initiative aims to ensure that future generations are not burdened by excessive debt.
2. State Sovereignty: H.J.R. 2004 seeks to reclaim the rightful authority of states by limiting federal overreach. By reducing the federal government's jurisdiction, states can better address the unique needs and concerns of their citizens, fostering a more responsive and effective governance structure.
3. Accountability in Government: The resolution proposes term limits for members of Congress and federal officials, promoting a government that is more accountable to the people. By encouraging fresh perspectives and reducing the influence of career politicians, H.J.R. 2004 aims to enhance democratic representation.
4. A Call to Action: H.J.R. 2004 reflects the founders' vision of a government that is responsive to the will of the people. It empowers states to act as guardians of liberty, ensuring that the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected against federal overreach.

• Regent Tuition – House File 2491 provides free tuition to the regent schools for veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rating of 100%.

• Service Animal Training Grant – House File 2467 establishes a $5,000 grant program to fund service animal training for veterans. Provides a $100,000 appropriation to establish the program.
• Staff Sergeant Howard Highway – House File 2478 names the segment of highway 30 by Marshalltown as Staff Sergeant William Nathanial Howard Highway after he was killed in Syria in December while serving in the Iowa army national guard.
• In-State Tuition – House File 175 requires Iowa’s community colleges and regent universities to provide in-state tuition for veterans, their spouse, their dependent children, and their survivors, no matter state of residence.
• Veteran License Plate – House File 779 allows reserve forces and Iowa national guard members to receive the United States veterans license plate.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Program and Fund – House File 2481 establishes a veterans traumatic brain injury recovery program and fund to allow for the free treatment of veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injury with hyperbaric oxygen treatment.