(NIT photo)
DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law dealing with the display of flags at half-staff on public buildings, along with a long list of other bills covering issues such as human trafficking, public records, child placements, window tint, nonresident deer licenses and social districts for alcoholic beverages.
Reynolds signed SF 2430, which relates to when flags are flown at half-staff on public buildings in Iowa. The measure is intended to ensure flags are lowered when officially ordered.
“In the aftermath of a tragedy, lowering flags allows communities to come together in mourning and to honor those who have made a great impact on our state or nation,” Reynolds said. “The changes this legislation makes will ensure flags across Iowa fly at half-staff when officially ordered, acting as a symbol of respect for those whose lives and service deserve such recognition.”
The governor also signed several bills related to transportation and motor vehicles, including HF 766, which deals with motor vehicle window tint; HF 777, which relates to salvage certificates of title by insurers; HF 907, which requires the Iowa Department of Transportation to provide for registration of noncommercial fleet vehicles and issue special registration plates; and SF 2187, which deals with verification of citizenship and immigration status for people applying for or renewing a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card.
Several health, safety and human services measures were also signed. Those include HF 1003, relating to child placements; HF 1036, a human trafficking measure addressing issues such as screening children, civil statutes of limitations, restitution, protective services, investigations and prosecutions; HF 2526, which concerns confidentiality of foster parents’ residential addresses; HF 2562, related to care facility placement decisions for certain adults; and HF 2598, which requires human trafficking prevention instruction for people applying for the initial issuance of certain commercial driver’s licenses.
Reynolds also signed SF 2139, which enacts the athletic trainer compact, and HF 2633, dealing with living organ donors and life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care insurance.
Other measures include HF 2185, relating to cost sharing for health savings accounts and qualified high-deductible health plans, and SF 542, which concerns suspension of child support and medical support in certain circumstances.
The governor also signed bills affecting government operations and public information. HF 2490 deals with public meetings and records, including public notice requirements, supervision and fees related to examining and copying public records, employment separation information for certain government workers and injunctions involving vexatious requesters. SF 2365 relates to public improvement contracts and notice requirements.
Additional bills signed into law include HF 640, concerning self-storage facilities; HF 2634, relating to preneed sellers, sales agents and government cemeteries; HF 2749, relating to real estate transfer tax and declarations of value; and HF 2766, relating to captive insurance companies and life captive reinsurance companies.
Reynolds also signed HF 2780, an alcoholic beverage control bill that includes provisions for certificates of compliance, class “A” wine permits for nonnative wine manufacturers and allowing cities to create social districts for the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Other signed bills include SF 93, relating to qualifications for county commission of veteran affairs commissioners and executive directors; SF 2289, relating to matters under the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; SF 2318, relating to nonresident deer hunting licenses; SF 2467, concerning reimbursement of the attorney general for services related to the second injury fund for workers’ compensation; SF 2468, providing for conversion of partnerships into other forms of domestic or foreign organizations; and SF 2492, creating a state corporate income tax deduction for net controlled foreign corporation tested income.
The bills were approved during the 2026 legislative session and now move into the implementation phase, with effective dates varying by measure.
Why should we have a flag at half staff for someone like Charlie Kirk? That is what the flag bill is all about and it is wrong. Kimmy ordered flags flown at half staff for him because she said he was a great person, yet, many people felt he wasn’t.