Iowa House Bill HF364

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25

Caption

A bill for an act relating to a standing appropriation to the department of health and human services to make free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters in the state.(See HF 707.)

Summary

HF 364 creates a standing appropriation from Iowa’s general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026. The appropriation is set at $20,000 per year and is intended to make radon test kits available free of charge to homeowners and renters across the state. The bill directs HHS to designate a radon testing laboratory to supply, distribute, and analyze the kits. To qualify, the laboratory must agree to provide radon test data to the department upon request. HHS must also place a link on its website so the public can order kits more easily.

Impact

The bill would add a new section to Iowa Code chapter 136B and establish an ongoing state funding stream for radon testing access. It would require HHS to administer the program, select a laboratory vendor, and maintain an online ordering portal, while also creating a data-sharing requirement tied to the laboratory’s designation. The practical effect is to expand access to radon screening for residential property owners and tenants and to support public health monitoring of radon exposure.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was generally well received in committee, passing the House Committee on Health and Human Services by a 19-1 vote. No committee transcript is available, but the strong committee margin indicates broad support for the public health purpose of the measure. The bill was later renumbered as HF 707, which suggests it continued moving through the legislative process.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are likely limited to the use of a standing general-fund appropriation, the ongoing administrative role assigned to HHS, and the requirement that the designated laboratory provide data to the department. Those concerns would most likely come from members wary of new recurring spending, state involvement in program administration, or data reporting requirements. However, the near-unanimous committee vote indicates little visible opposition at the committee stage.