Speed cameras, THC and more: These new laws take effect Monday in Iowa
More than were passed in the last legislative session. Many of them will take effect on Monday, July 1.
More than were passed in the last legislative session. Many of them will take effect on Monday, July 1.
More than were passed in the last legislative session. Many of them will take effect on Monday, July 1.
More than were passed in the last legislative session. Many of them will take effect on Monday, July 1.
Here are five of the most significant changes, including traffic camera restrictions, hemp product regulations and school security requirements.
Traffic camera regulation
Traffic Cameras:
The new law requires local government to apply for a permit with the Iowa Department of Transportation to have traffic cameras.
Funds generated from traffic cameras are restricted to transportation infrastructure as well as police and fire department operating costs. Some towns have begun using those funds for new projects.
Drivers can only be fined from a traffic camera at speeds 10 mph over the limit with signage at least 500 to 1,000 feet from the camera. In areas with less than 20,000 people, traffic cameras can only issue warnings for violations.
Setting THC limits
Hemp Products:
This law requires products containing THC not to exceed 10 milligrams per container. Products with THC must be labeled with an advisory of associated health risks.
It also establishes that a person cannot purchase a product containing THC if they are under 21 and creates penalties for those who violate this law.
Two hemp distributors, Climbing Kites and Field Day Brewing Co., have sued the state over the law because of the restriction on THC levels in beverages.
Reducing state and local boards and commissions
Boards and Commissions:
This law reduces the number of boards and commissions across the state. It will eliminate 67 boards and commissions. Others will be consolidated or have their membership reduced.
The law will also require a review every four years of the board and commissions to determine if they are still necessary. The review will be done by the newly created State Government Efficiency Review Committee.
Allowing weapons in schools
School Security:
This law requires school districts with more than 8,000 students to employ a student resource officer or private school security officer at high schools. School districts can opt-out following a vote from the school board.
The law allows school employees to obtain a permit to carry firearms on school property. Teachers who obtain a permit must complete a training course and participate in additional scenario training.
Changes to Iowa's Area Education Agencies
AEA Funding:
The law shifts some funding from area education agencies to school districts. It also sets statewide school funding levels and includes pay raises for new and experienced teachers and education support staff.
The law would not make any changes to special education funding next school year. But starting in the fall of 2025, school districts would be required to give 10% of that funding to the AEAs. AEAs would be guaranteed to receive the other 90%.
School districts would also receive 60% of general education and media services funding next school year and would have full control of those funds starting in 2025.
The bill also shifts oversight and authority over AEAs from local boards to the director of the Iowa Department of Education and creates a task force to study AEAs and provide a report on their findings.
Fake meat and egg product labeling
Fake meat:
Lab-grown or plant-based meat alternatives must include words like fake, imitation or vegetarian if they are being sold as traditional meat products.
Mislabeling products can result in fines of up to $10,000 for food processors through .
The law makes similar requirements for “fabricated egg products.” The law also directs Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to seek waivers from the federal government for egg substitutes if they are available for purchase through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – preventing Iowans from purchasing these products using food benefit programs.
Foreign agricultural land ownership
Ag land ownership:
Foreign landowners in Iowa now have new reporting requirements and face higher penalties for violations of reporting requirements under .
The law requires foreign landowners provide details to the state about land owned in other states greater than 250 acres. It also raises fines for foreign landowners up to $10,000 for failing to report holdings every two years, and up to 25% of a property’s value per violation for failure to disclose leases or purchases of farmland by foreign entities. The Iowa Secretary of State is required to submit a report of foreign landholdings to state leaders each year.
The Iowa attorney general, currently Republican Brenna Bird, is also given more oversight authority through the law. The state attorney general can subpoena foreign landowners for financial records, land purchase agreements and other documents for investigations regarding potential violations of state restrictions on foreign farmland ownership.
Local storm water and topsoil regulations
Stormwater, top soil regulations:
Iowa local governments cannot impose stormwater and top soil regulations that are more restrictive than federal and state guidelines of development caused by the policies.
requires that local regulations on topsoil preservation, compaction, placement or depth be the same or less restrictive than requirements set by the Department of Natural Resources and the . Stormwater runoff regulations must be at or below those based on flow rates calculated using return frequencies of five years.
If localities choose to adopt higher standards, the local governments are required to pay property owners and developers for the difference in cost caused by implementing the regulation.
AI-generated pornography
and establish criminal charges for using artificial intelligence technologies to create images and videos depicting a person engaged in a sexual act, a simulacrum of a sexual act, and in full or partial nudity. The laws focus on media that shows the “visual depiction” of an individual, recognizable through their face, distinguishing features or likeness, engaged in sexual activities.
Creation of AI-generated pornography or other obscene material depicting an adult can be charged as an aggravated misdemeanor, and depiction of a minor as a felony.
Information from the Iowa Capital Dispatch was used in this article.