From the Desk of Senator Hardman
Greetings, my dear neighbors and friends –
This week marked the end of the first legislative funnel. I hope you are staying tuned, as it has been a rollercoaster ride fighting on behalf of Iowans. Unfortunately, there are some bad bills that have passed to go on to the next phase – which will be Senate debate. Please see below for more information on some of the bills.
I need YOU!
On another more positive note, I need your help! I am thinking ahead and want to come up with some ideas for a district wide community service project this summer. I would love the project to benefit West Des Moines, Clive, and Windsor Heights. Maybe it’s three different projects. This is where you come in. I am looking for volunteers to serve on an organizing committee to help plan this service project. I promise it will be fun, impactful, and serve the needs of our community. I am excited to hear about all the ideas. If interested in serving – please send me an email at Renee.Hardman@legis.iowa.gov by Friday, February 27, 2026. I can’t wait to hear from you. Thanking you in advance.
Our Affordability Agenda: Focusing on the Issues that Matter to Iowans
The biggest issue on our minds this year, on the minds of ALL Iowans, is affordability. While costs continue to soar, a lot of families are struggling just to stay afloat. Iowans are juggling higher healthcare premiums, rising housing costs, spiking energy rates, unpredictable grocery prices, and unaffordable childcare.
The stress is a lot to carry. So, this week, I want to talk about our agenda and what the Senate Democratic caucus is working on to help ease Iowans’ burdens. You sent me here to work for you on the issues impacting YOU. It’s only right you know what we’re up to at the Capitol.
Healthcare: Expanding Access and Lowering Costs
Limited access to reliable care, rising insurance rates, and worsening healthcare gaps are overlapping problems spreading throughout Iowa. The following bills are designed to address several of the issues.
- SF 2047 would cap the cost of insulin at $25 per month
- SF 2048 would expand Medicaid coverage for lung cancer screenings
- SF 339 would expand healthcare coverage for new moms and babies
- SF 2226 would prohibit insurance companies from using A.I. to deny health insurance claims
- SJR 2003 would enshrine the right to safe, legal abortion in the Iowa Constitution
Household: Housing and Utilities Iowans Can Afford
All Iowans deserve housing they can afford. We need combined efforts to reinvigorate and rehabilitate our existing housing supply, create increased opportunities for new builds, rid ourselves of predatory, out-of-state private equity firms gobbling up supply and hiking costs, and explore ways to lower residential utility costs for working families.
- SF 144 would empower neighborhood revitalization efforts
- SF 505 would ease entry into home ownership
- SF 414 would crack down on predatory practices that increase home prices for Iowa families
- SF 2106 would stop rental price fixing
- SF 2225 would provide tenant protections for residents in manufactured housing
- SF 2249 would ensure high-usage commercial properties like data centers aren’t passing along higher energy costs to homeowners
Childcare: Accessible, Affordable, Reliable
Ensuring Iowans have access to affordable, reliable childcare options is critical to growing Iowa’s workforce and providing peace of mind for working parents across the state.
- SF 353 would expand eligibility for state assistance so more Iowans can afford childcare
- SF 352 would ensure parents can maintain childcare access while their family grows
- SF 122 would expand automatic qualification for childcare assistance to children under 18 who have children of their own
- SF 434 would double investment in the state’s Child Care Solutions Fund
Economic Security for Iowa’s Workers
The majority party has spent too much time prioritizing the privilege of the few over the needs of the many. Working families need real solutions to the issues they face every day, including ways to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.
- SF 2046 would protect workers from employer wage theft
- SF 2239 would provide paid, job-protected family leave for both public and private employees
An Update on School Funding
In last week’s newsletter, I told you about Senate Republicans’ school funding proposal, SF 2201, which would set the annual increase for public school funding at 1.75%. Despite the fact that this bill would severely underfund our public schools, SF 2201 passed the Senate by a vote of 28-20.
The House took up the bill and ran it through the subcommittee and committee process on Monday, where it advanced with an amendment. The amendment is what is called a “strike-after.” A strike-after amendment deletes – or strikes – everything after the bill’s enacting clause (“Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:”) and replaces the deleted text with new, different language. It’s basically the legislative way of saying, “This is great, let me do it completely differently.”
The newly amended bill, introduced by House Republicans, slightly raises the school funding number passed by the Senate to 2%. Reminder: inflation is currently hovering at 2.7%.
After debate on Thursday, the House passed the bill. The amended legislation now returns to the Senate, where we will debate it again.
It’s worth noting that Iowa law says the deadline to set school funding is within 30 days of the Governor’s budget proposal. That deadline was last Thursday, Feb. 12.
Quick Updates
Through the first funnel: It was funnel week at the Capitol this week – one of two self-imposed deadlines the Legislature uses to narrow down the legislation under consideration. Senate Committees met well into the afternoon on Thursday, so we don’t have the full list of which bills survived the funnel, and which are dead for the year. Come back next week for that update. In the meantime, here are a couple of funnel highlights:
- The Good: SF 2087 is a bipartisan bill that makes unemployment work search activity requirements more accessible to people with disabilities. It is still alive.
- The Good: SF 2294 is a great consumer protection bill that would prohibit streaming services from playing advertisements at a volume louder than the programming they accompany, anywhere in Iowa. It is moving forward.
- The Bad: SF 2274 is a bill that would legalize the sale of trigger devices that turn traditional firearms into rapid-fire Gatling guns. It is moving forward.
- The Ugly: SSB 3120 is a bill that would have removed safety requirements for youth hunters, putting hunters of every age at risk. This bill will not move forward this year.
- The Ugly: SF 2061 would have permitted taxpayer dollars to be used to fund infrastructure developments at private schools. This bill is dead.
Opioid settlement applications to open in late February: The State of Iowa has secured over $365 million in settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other related parties to help combat opioid misuse and addiction. Of the $365 million, the State’s share is approximately $186 million, while $179 million is allocated to Iowa counties. The attorney general’s office expects approximately $20 million to be available by June 30, 2030, for distribution from its share of the settlement money. To receive a notification when the application site is ready to receive opioid funding applications, please send your email address to opioid.funding@ag.iowa.gov. The Attorney General’s office will begin accepting funding applications in late February. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and projects of all sizes and scopes are encouraged to apply.
Loan programs available for healthcare providers: The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is now accepting applications for three loan repayment programs: NHSC Loan Repayment Program, NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. These programs are designed to provide primary care, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers working at NHSC-approved sites with funding to be used toward their student loan debt. For details, eligibility, and applications, click here.
This Week in the Capitol
Chatting with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice – A wonderful organization.
IJAG – one of my favorite organizations – building futures for our youth.
Always love being around professionals who strive to create a healthier world.
Great seeing spending time with leadership from Children and Family Services of Iowa. They do GREAT work on behalf of Iowa families.
Lovely meeting with The Coalition for Family and Children’s Services about their priorities for the session to strengthen families and support our community.
FCCLA preparing students for college and career options.
Love talking with students across the state. These students are from Waterloo, Iowa.