Taylor Collins: To the People of House District 95

This week Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 491 that amends existing laws restricting remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) over agricultural animal facilities to broaden the scope of the law to prohibit the operation of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) over farm properties, specifically within a secured area of 400 feet surrounding farm animals, equipment, or structures. The new law defines terms such as ‘farmstead’ and ‘farm commodity’ to clarify the scope of the legislation. It further outlines the conditions under which a person may petition for injunctive relief against unauthorized RPA use. The measure provides penalties for violations that are categorized as misdemeanors, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.  The new law seeks to protect the privacy and security of farming operations from intrusive surveillance.

This week the USDA issued a press release announcing that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will require states to make certain all records associated with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and allotments are shared with the federal government.

In March President Trump signed Executive Order 14243, Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos, requiring agency heads to “take all necessary steps, to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure the federal government has unfettered access to comprehensive data from all state programs that receive federal funding, including, as appropriate, data generated by those programs but maintained in third-party databases.”   The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is federally funded, administered by states, and includes relationships with processors and retailers, among others, all of which are information siloes.  Today’s guidance prioritizes program integrity and will allow FNS, for the first time, transparency into the data long only held by states and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processors.

In a related matter four days earlier, USDA issued a prior press release  announcing that USDA’s Special Investigations Unit, in conjunction with Federal law enforcement partners, conducted operations that week to target criminals engaged in defrauding American taxpayers by stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services John Walk joined investigators from the Department of Homeland Security in Los Angeles that week to participate in targeted law enforcement operations.  Theft of funds on SNAP EBT cards has dramatically increased in recent years.  In such cases, criminals steal funds loaded onto EBT cards that SNAP recipients rely on to buy food by surreptitiously installing card skimmers, and cloning point of sale terminals enabling them to steal publicly funded benefits.  Recent investigations show that international criminal organizations are heavily involved and benefiting from SNAP fraud

This week’s operations were part of the largest effort to combat EBT fraud in United States Secret Service history.  The Secret Service, in partnership with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Camino Real Financial Crime Task Force, surveilled over 100 locations in southern California, including multiple SNAP retailers.  These operations resulted in numerous arrests and the collection of high value evidence.  The USDA Special Investigations Unit of the Food and Nutrition Service has investigators strategically located across the country focused on fighting SNAP retail fraud to safeguard American tax dollars from lining the pockets of criminals, including complicit retailers abusing SNAP.

The following was provided by the Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division:

Graduating from high school or college is a major milestone and comes with new responsibilities, including managing insurance needs. Whether driving a car, renting an apartment, or planning for your health, understanding basic insurance coverage is essential for financial protection.

For cheaper car insurance it’s smart to stay on your parent’s policy, if possible. However, if you need a policy, shop around for quotes and inquire about discounts for good grades, safe driving courses, and policy bundling with renters insurance.  Also, understand key car insurance terms such as liability coverage which pays for damage you cause to others’ property or injuries to others.  Iowa law requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident; $40,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident; and $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from an accident after you pay the deductible or the out-of-pocket amount. Comprehensive coverage may reimburse for non-collision incidents like theft, animal collisions, or weather damage.  If your car is going with you to a dorm or apartment, report the change of location to your insurance company.

Your personal property will need protection, too.  First, check with your parents to see if their homeowners policy extends coverage to a student living in a dorm or apartment. If not, renters insurance is essential and approximately $20 a month.  It protects your personal belongings against theft and fire, and many landlords require it. Renters insurance also provides liability coverage, and additional living expenses in case your dwelling becomes uninhabitable by a fire or storm disaster. The policy may also cover your property if it is stolen from your car.  Be sure to take inventory of your belongings and choose coverage that matches their value. If you are purchasing a home, homeowners insurance will be required by the mortgage company.

Even young, healthy people need health insurance. Under federal law, you can stay on your parent’s health insurance until age 26. If that’s not an option, explore health plans that cover essential services like preventive care, emergency services, and prescriptions. If you obtain a job with benefits, an employer-sponsored health plan is often the most affordable and comprehensive choice. Another option to consider is a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov. You may qualify for subsidies to lower your premium. Also, if you’re pursuing further education, universities often offer cost-effective coverage.

Always speak to a licensed insurance agent regarding all your insurance options, and compare several companies before purchasing any insurance policy. Higher deductibles can lower your premium but mean more out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.  Starting your insurance journey early helps you build good habits and financial resilience.

Iowa’s high school graduation rate climbed nearly a full percentage point, reaching 88.3% for the graduating class of 2024, according to figures released today by the Iowa Department of Education. This marks the first time since 2020 that Iowa’s graduation rate has returned to prepandemic levels.

State data show 88.3% of students in Iowa’s class of 2024 graduated within four years, increasing 0.8 percentage points from 87.5% for the class of 2023 and is the same rate as the class of 2019. A total of 34,158 Iowa students earned their high school diplomas in the class of 2024.

“Nearly 900 more students in the class of 2024 earned their high school diploma, positioning them to succeed in postsecondary education and higher-wage, fulfilling careers,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Our data also shows encouraging, significant progress in narrowing graduation rate gaps experienced by students with disabilities and students from low-income backgrounds. Together with educators and families, Iowa will continue to provide all students with what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential.”

Iowa’s four-year graduation rate experienced by students with disabilities is 70.3%, representing an increase of 2.4 percentage points. The graduation rate for students from low-income backgrounds as determined by eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals is 80.2% which is a 1.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Graduation rates for students who are English learners declined slightly from 73.7% the prior year to 73.4% for the graduating class of 2024. The graduation rate for males is 86.7%, 3.2 percentage points lower than the graduation rate for females (89.9%); this gap has decreased since the class of 2022 when it was at 4.5 percentage points. Additionally, four-year graduation rates by racial and ethnic background increased for most student groups, including Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, two or more races, and white.

Iowa’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2024 is significantly higher than several of its neighboring states; Illinois and South Dakota recently reported 2024 graduation rates below Iowa’s, at 87.7% and 84.0%, respectively. Among neighboring states, only Missouri and Wisconsin reported class of 2024 graduation rates meaningfully above Iowa’s, at 90.8% and 91.1% respectively.

Iowa graduation rates are calculated with a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Unique student identification numbers allow school districts to account for all ninth-grade students as they move through high school. At the state level, the method helps determine when a student graduates, even if the student has switched districts during high school.

Iowa’s five-year graduation rate — which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school — was 89.9% for the class of 2023, up slightly from 89.7% for the class of 2022, yet slightly below 90.5% for the class of 2019.

Iowa’s annual dropout rate reflects the percent of students in grades 9-12 who dropped out of school during a single year. The annual dropout rate was 2.59% percent for the 2023-24 school year, showing an improvement from 3.02% in the 2022-23 school year and 2.61% in the 2018-19 school year. The state’s 2023-24 dropout rate represents 4,052 students dropping out in grades 9 through 12.

More information on Iowa’s graduation rates and dropout rates, including rates by school district and student group, are available on the Department of Education’s Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates webpage.

Last month President Donald Trump signed the Executive Order titled Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies. Below is a summary of the order:

Elimination of “Equity Ideology” in Discipline: The order aims to eliminate school discipline practices based on what it describes as “discriminatory and unlawful ‘equity’ ideology.” It criticizes prior federal guidance, particularly the 2014 Obama-era “Dear Colleague” letter and 2023 Biden administration policies, which used disparate-impact theory to address racial disparities in discipline, claiming these led to unsafe classrooms by discouraging appropriate disciplinary actions.

New Federal Guidance on Discipline: The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, is directed to issue new guidance within 30 days to local and state educational agencies. This guidance will emphasize compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting racial discrimination in federally funded programs, and ensure discipline is based on objective behavior rather than race or other protected characteristics.

Action Against Noncompliant Agencies: The order mandates enforcement actions against educational agencies that fail to comply with Title VI by continuing racially preferential discipline practices. Within 60 days, coordination with state leaders must begin to prevent such practices.

Report on Discriminatory Practices: Within 120 days, the Secretary of Education must submit a report to the President, including:

• An inventory and analysis of Title VI discipline-related investigations since 2009.
• An assessment of the role of federally funded nonprofits in promoting “discriminatory-equity-ideology-based” discipline and recommendations to ensure federal funds do not support such practices.
• An evaluation of discipline policies that avoid discriminatory equity ideology.
• Model school discipline policies that promote safety, common sense, and “American values and traditional virtues.”

Revised Discipline Code for Military Families: The Secretary of Defense is directed to issue a revised school discipline code within 90 days to enhance the education of children in military-service families, aligning with the order’s principles.

Focus on Classroom Safety and Order: The order emphasizes restoring safety and order in classrooms, arguing that prior policies prioritizing racial equity over behavior-based discipline compromised student safety and academic achievement. It claims these policies forced schools to overlook disruptive or violent behavior to meet equity goals.
Rejection of Disparate-Impact Liability: The order broadly seeks to eliminate disparate-impact liability (where neutral policies are scrutinized for unequal outcomes across groups) in school discipline, arguing it violates constitutional and civil rights laws by encouraging race-based decision-making.

Context and Controversy: The order aligns with conservative critiques of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as seen in Project 2025, and has been praised by groups like Moms for Liberty for empowering teachers and local school boards. However, critics, including civil rights organizations like EdTrust and the Advancement Project, argue it may exacerbate racial disparities in discipline and undermine efforts to address systemic inequities, potentially leading to legal challenges. The order does not explicitly address corporal punishment, despite some social media rumors, and its impact on state-level practices remains unclear as discipline policies are primarily locally controlled.

Recently, the State of Iowa released its Behavioral Health Statewide Service System Plan. This plan was developed with input from direct care professionals, behavioral health advocates, law enforcement, local governments and community voices throughout the state. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, “the plan outlines a comprehensive, person-centered system of care, focused on building a full behavioral health continuum. This includes prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and crisis services – all interconnected to support Iowans at every stage of their journey.” The plan can be found here.

Last session, the legislature developed the new behavioral health system to improve outcomes, remove duplication and to create the statewide plan. Based on this bill, the state has developed a new behavioral health district map and selected Iowa Primary Care Association as the Administrative Service Organization.

IPCA is busy preparing for July 1 start date of the new system. IPCA has contracted with all existing MHDS Regions through June 30, 2025, so providers can continue to support the current system. IPCA is building a provider and partner network directory to ensure we have accurate information about those interested in contracting to provide services to support Iowa’s Behavior Health Service System continuum of services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report titled Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices on May 1, 2025. Below are the key takeaways from the report:

Lack of Strong Evidence for Gender-Affirming Care: The report concludes that there is no robust evidence demonstrating that “gender-affirming care” (including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries) is effective in treating gender dysphoria or improving mental health outcomes in minors. Existing studies are criticized for methodological flaws, bias, and failure to adequately consider potential harms.

Significant Risks of Medical Interventions: The review highlights serious concerns about the risks of medical interventions, such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries. These include irreversible harms like infertility, loss of sexual function, and other long-term physical and psychological consequences. The evidence for benefits is described as weak, consistent with findings from international systematic reviews.

Natural Resolution of Gender Dysphoria: The report notes that gender dysphoria often resolves naturally over time without medical intervention, particularly in cases of childhood-onset gender dysphoria, where 61–98% of children may reidentify with their biological sex during puberty. This underscores the need for caution in pursuing irreversible treatments.

Subjective Nature of Gender Dysphoria: Pediatric gender medicine is described as exceptional due to the subjective psychological nature of gender dysphoria. The report emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing and treating this condition, given its variability and the influence of social and psychological factors.

Ethical and Clinical Considerations: The report addresses ethical concerns surrounding pediatric medical transition, filling a gap in existing literature. It calls for a cautious, evidence-based approach to ensure treatments prioritize long-term well-being over short-term alleviation of distress.

Need for Comprehensive Assessments: The report advocates for thorough, multidisciplinary assessments before considering medical interventions, noting that many adolescents presenting with gender dysphoria have co-occurring mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, autism) or psychosocial vulnerabilities that may contribute to their distress.

Societal Responsibility to Protect Children: The report emphasizes society’s obligation to safeguard children’s well-being, arguing that the lack of evidence and potential for harm necessitate a reevaluation of current practices in pediatric gender medicine. It suggests that children should not be used as “political pawns” in debates over gender-affirming care.

Call for Further Research: Due to the limited and low-quality evidence, the report calls for more systematic, interdisciplinary, and multicenter research to better understand the long-term outcomes of treatments for gender dysphoria in minors.

Context and Limitations: The report was mandated by Executive Order 14187 and aims to establish best practices based on an evidence-based medicine approach. While it critiques the current state of pediatric gender medicine, it does not explicitly ban or endorse specific treatments but urges caution and further study. The full report and appendices provide detailed analyses, but the executive summary focuses on these high-level findings.

This week Governor Reynolds signed three Natural Resources issue area legislation, HF 710, SF 423, and SF 148.  House File 710 allow with regulation for the construction of hard roofs  above private docks, under specific conditions, including size and material requirements. The new law bill stipulates that these structures must not be used for habitation or storage and must comply with applicable building codes. Additionally, it requires dock owners to maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1 million. The legislation also permits associations managing communities adjacent to public lakes to set their own policies regarding these structures.

Senate File 423 expands the time frame when youth deer hunting licenses are available for purchase to the same timeframe as general deer hunting licenses, encompassing all established deer hunting seasons. The new law allows holders of a youth deer hunting license to utilize their license and tag during the season for which it was issued or in any subsequent established deer hunting season, provided they follow the authorized method of take for that season. However, if the tag is filled in one season, the license will not be valid for subsequent seasons.

Senate File 148 changes the existing provisions for issuing wild turkey hunting licenses to farm unit owners and tenants. Existing law allows for one free wild turkey license to be issued annually to either the owner or tenant, but not both.  This new law extends the validity of such licenses to any open turkey hunting season and does not require the holder to specify the season. The new Code provision specify that the hunter with these licenses must use the method of take specified for the particular season the hunter is in the field.

As session heads to overtime, the Governor is signing policy bills that have been successfully approved by both chambers. Below are recently signed bills that originated in the Hose Public Safety committee.

House File 793 – Firefighter Regulations
House File 793 is a new law that will change the rules for firefighter training and certification. By January 1, 2026, the Iowa Department of Public Safety will make new rules that prohibit anyone on the sex offender registry from becoming a certified fire fighter. This also means they cannot work as a non-certified fire fighter or a volunteer fire fighter.

SF 296 – Emergency Care for Police Dogs
Senate File 296 allows emergency medical responders to provide immediate veterinary care to police service dogs that are injured while on duty. The law states that these responders can help a police dog if it has a severe injury and needs urgent care to stabilize its condition before a veterinarian can take over. However, responders are not required to provide this care, and they won’t be held responsible if they act reasonably and in good faith. They must first ensure that any human at the scene receives the necessary medical attention before helping the dog. Additionally, if the equipment they need for the dog is required for a human or is sent elsewhere, they cannot use it on the dog. Lastly, injured police dogs cannot be transported in emergency medical vehicles.

SF 106 – Carrying Firearms on Snowmobiles and All-Terrain Vehicles
Senate File 106 modifies the regulations regarding the possession and use of firearms while operating snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Iowa. The bill allows individuals to carry loaded firearms on their snowmobiles or ATVs without needing a permit, as long as they are on land that they own, rent, or possess, and their actions are lawful. The bill also makes changes to help nonambulatory hunters.

Governor Reynolds signed House File 778 into law, a piece of legislation that modernizes the qualifications for obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate in Iowa. This new law is a pro-employment measure that will provide more flexibility for aspiring CPAs.

What Does This Mean for Iowa?
The updated CPA certification requirements will allow for greater flexibility and accessibility for individuals pursuing a career in accounting. By offering two pathways to certification—one requiring 150 semester hours of education and one year of experience, and another requiring 120 semester hours and two years of experience—we are opening the door for more Iowans to enter this vital profession.

This change is particularly important as it acknowledges the diverse educational backgrounds and experiences of our workforce. By accommodating different paths to certification, we are encouraging a broader range of candidates to consider a career in accounting, ultimately enriching our talent pool.

Boosting Employment Opportunities
The passage of House File 778 is a proactive step towards addressing the growing demand for qualified accountants in Iowa. As businesses continue to expand and evolve, the need for skilled financial professionals is more critical than ever. This legislation will help ensure that our state has a robust supply of CPAs ready to meet the needs of our economy.

Moreover, by streamlining the certification process, we are reducing barriers for entry into the profession. This means that more Iowans can pursue fulfilling careers in accounting, leading to increased job satisfaction and economic stability for families across the state.

Earlier this spring, homeowners received their 2025 property tax assessments. If you disagreed with your assessment, you had until the end of April to file a protest with your local board of review. After you receive that decision, you then have two choices: appeal to PAAB (Property Assessment Appeals Board) or appeal to district court.

If you decide to appeal to the PAAB, here is some helpful information. There is generally no cost to file your appeal—but you will be responsible for your own costs. You do not have to have a lawyer; many people represent themselves. The appeal deadline depends on when your board of review adjourned:

• Board of Review adjourned on or before 5/31: You must file your appeal on or before June 20.
• Board of Review adjourned after 5/31: You must file your appeal within 20 calendar days of the board of review’s adjournment date.

You may file your appeal electronically or via paper filing. Instructions and forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website. PAAB will issue its order approximately 45 to 90 days after your hearing or written consideration. If you disagree with the decision, you may ask PAAB to reconsider. Additionally, you may file an appeal in district court. You must file your appeal in court within 30 days of the PAAB decision. You would file in the district court where the property in question is located.

As always, you can can shoot me an email with any questions or concerns at taylor.collins@legis.iowa.gov or you can call the Capitol Switchboard and leave me a message at (515) 281-7340.
Sincerely,

Rep. Taylor Collins