New law bans guaranteed income programs in Iowa

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that bans local governments from participating in guaranteed income programs, such as the UpLift program in Central Iowa.

It was one of more than three dozen bills Reynolds, a Republican, signed into law Wednesday, 11 days after the end of the 2024 legislative session.

Republican lawmakers passed the bill this year, arguing programs that provide unrestricted cash payments would discourage people from working and hurt the labor force. The law bans cities and counties from putting money toward a program that provides regular cash payments to individuals that are "unearned and that may be used for any purpose."

There is one such program in the state: UpLift Iowa, a pilot program that involves four Central Iowa local governments and a coalition of businesses and nonprofits. It is organized by the Harkin Institute at Drake University. The goal is of the program, which provides $500 monthly payments to 110 participants, is to study the effects of a guaranteed monthly income on the health and well-being of low-income people.

The program is set to last two years, until spring 2026. The new law takes effect immediately, but it allows the Uplift Iowa program to continue. There are about 30 other similar programs operating across the United States, according to the Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Steven Holt of Denison, called such programs "socialism on steroids" during the legislative session. "This is a redistribution of wealth. This is an attack on American values,” he said in January.

Democrats argued the bill, House File 2319, will take away local control and put more barriers in the way of low-income Iowans.

“This bill is nothing but a roadblock,” said Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, during floor debate on the bill. “It removes local control and it is one more attempt to ensure that struggling Iowans continue to struggle.”

Updates to police officer retirement, protections

Another bill Reynolds signed increases the monthly retirement payment for retired sheriffs and deputies from the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System.

The law, House File 2661, also creates a tax credit for police officers who move into the state to start a law enforcement job. New residents could receive up to $2,000 for moving expenses.

The law also makes people charged with the murder of a police officer ineligible for cash bail in Iowa. A person who has pleaded guilty to assault of a police officer also will be ineligible for bail.

Grooming crime created

Reynolds also signed into law a bill that creates the crime of "grooming" in the state.

The law, House File 2602, creates a new criminal offense in state code. A person who uses written communication to "seduce, solicit, lure, or entice" a child, or a person believed to be a child, to engage in an unlawful sex act, will be guilty of grooming.

The offense is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Arming county attorneys

Reynolds signed a bill allowing county attorneys to be issued professional permits to carry firearms.

The law, House File 2570, adds county attorneys and assistant county attorneys to the list of occupations that may be issued the professional permits. Supporters of the bill argued that county attorneys have been assaulted and put in dangerous situations that warrant the heightened protections.

Regulating nuisance strip clubs

Adult entertainment establishments that present a public safety could be shut down by city officials under a bill Reynolds signed. House File 2531 was supported by Davenport safety officials after several safety incidents at strip clubs in the city.

Once the law takes effect, cities and counties will be able to ask a court to limit the hours of adult establishments if there is evidence that any of the following took place in or near the premises: