Iowa Votes

Would have tightened insurance requirements for pipeline operators and redefined "common carrier" status to limit eminent domain use-particularly affecting carbon-capture pipelines.

Prohibits public entities-including state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, community colleges, and public universities-from spending any public or private funds on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, roles, or initiatives.

Lowers the minimum age for acquiring or carrying weapons from 21 to 18.

Prohibits the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) and instant runoff voting (IRV) in state and local elections.

Makes it illegal to use a handheld electronic device (such as a phone) while driving unless it's in hands-free or voice-activated mode.

Establishes a strictly biological definition of "sex" based on birth anatomy and removes "gender identity" as a protected category under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Bans Iowa counties and cities from creating or maintaining guaranteed income programs.

Updates Iowa's disaster response by allowing the Governor to accept federal grants for expenses local or state funds can't cover.

Criminalizes illegal reentry, with penalties based on prior offenses; allows deportation orders; and grants immunity to officials enforcing the law, except for misconduct. It also bans deferred or suspended sentences for these convictions.

Prohibits cities with civil service commissions from establishing citizen review boards to oversee police conduct.

Repeals a 1987 law mandating gender balance, political diversity, and racial representation in appointments to state boards and commissions, rolling back these "woke" requirements.

Protects people's religious rights by preventing the government from imposing burdens on their religious practices. If someone's religious freedom is violated, they can seek legal action and potentially receive damages.

Establishes an Iowa Office of Apprenticeship and Iowa apprenticeship council.

Mandates the Department of Education (DE) to oversee the review of library materials for explicit content in schools, requiring parental consent for access to certain books, introducing curriculum changes, including restrictions on gender identity and sexuality instruction before grade five, removing specific sexual education content, and implementing a civics test requirement.

Allows raw milk dairies that comply with safety standards to sell raw milk and products derived from raw milk directly to consumers.

Authorizes pharmacists to order and administer self-administered hormonal contraceptives to individuals aged eighteen years and older.

Prohibits activities regarding gender transition procedures relative to minors.

Creates education programs and funding by establishing an education savings account program.

Ensures that K-12 students cannot be forced into receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

Reduces unemployment benefits in the state by 10 weeks, reducing the number of weeks from 26 to 16.

Requires that student athletes in public schools, private schools, and universities can only play on sports teams of the gender that is stated on their birth certificate.

Allows that no search warrant is needed for a peace officer to look through a person's garbage placed outside of someone's residence.

Restricts the teaching of Critical Race Theory and teachers can no longer teach discriminatory indoctrination.

Removes the requirement for a permit to acquire or carry a handgun and when selling a firearm to another private person.