Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB305

Introduced
3/6/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the Iowa economic development authority, including tax credit limits, targeted jobs tax credits, and the major economic growth attraction program; creation of the business incentives for growth program, the seed investor tax credit program, the Iowa film production incentive program, the research and development tax credit program, and the sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit program; elimination of the high quality jobs program, the investments in qualifying businesses tax credit, employer child care tax credits, assistive device tax credits, endow Iowa tax credits, and research activities tax credits; and including effective date provisions and criminal penalties.(See HF 1054.)

Impact

The bill proposes the repeal of several existing tax credit programs, including the High Quality Jobs Program and the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, which has raised concerns among various stakeholders about potential impacts on job creation and local community support. By eliminating these established programs, the legislation aims to centralize and streamline incentive offerings under the new BIG program, but risks leaving certain businesses without the support they previously relied on. As a result, discussions around the bill have highlighted significant contention over its potential effects on different sectors and communities.

Summary

House Study Bill 305 addresses a wide array of issues related to economic development in Iowa by proposing significant changes to the existing tax credit programs and initiating new incentive structures. A key feature of the bill is the establishment of the Business Incentives for Growth (BIG) program aimed at providing tax incentives to eligible businesses which meet specific qualifications. This new initiative is designed to stimulate job growth and economic activity in the state, notably targeting sectors with higher resource consumption.

Contention

Critics of HSB305 have expressed fears that the repeal of established programs could harm job retention and economic stability within the state. Opponents argue that the new tax incentives may not adequately replace the benefits provided by the repealed programs. They emphasize that the legislation's focused approach could overlook the diverse needs of various localized economies that thrived under the previous tax regimes. Proponents, however, argue that the streamlined structure will ultimately create a more competitive climate conducive to attracting new businesses.

Companion Bills

IA SSB1205

Related A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the Iowa economic development authority, including tax credit limits, targeted jobs tax credits, and the major economic growth attraction program; creation of the business incentives for growth program, the seed investor tax credit program, the Iowa film production incentive program, the research and development tax credit program, and the sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit program; elimination of the high quality jobs program, the investments in qualifying businesses tax credit, employer child care tax credits, assistive device tax credits, endow Iowa tax credits, and research activities tax credits; and including effective date provisions and criminal penalties.(See SF 657.)

IA SF657

Replaced by A bill for an act related to state taxation and finance and other related matters, by creating, modifying, and eliminating tax credits and tax incentive programs, providing for penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1205.) Effective date: 06/06/2025, 07/01/2025, 12/31/2025, 01/01/2026. Applicability date: 01/01/2017, 01/01/2025, 01/01/2026.

IA HF1054

Replaced by A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the Iowa economic development authority and the department of workforce development, including tax credit limits, the major economic growth attraction program, layoffs and facility closures, the brownfield redevelopment fund, and the Iowa economic emergency fund; creation of the business incentives for growth program, the seed investor tax credit program, the Iowa film production incentive program, the research and development tax credit program, and the sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit program; elimination of the high quality jobs program, the investments in qualifying businesses tax credit, employer child care tax credits, assistive device tax credits, endow Iowa tax credits, and research activities tax credits; and including effective date provisions and criminal penalties.(Formerly HSB 305.)

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1205

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the Iowa economic development authority, including tax credit limits, targeted jobs tax credits, and the major economic growth attraction program; creation of the business incentives for growth program, the seed investor tax credit program, the Iowa film production incentive program, the research and development tax credit program, and the sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit program; elimination of the high quality jobs program, the investments in qualifying businesses tax credit, employer child care tax credits, assistive device tax credits, endow Iowa tax credits, and research activities tax credits; and including effective date provisions and criminal penalties.(See SF 657.)

IA HF1054

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the Iowa economic development authority and the department of workforce development, including tax credit limits, the major economic growth attraction program, layoffs and facility closures, the brownfield redevelopment fund, and the Iowa economic emergency fund; creation of the business incentives for growth program, the seed investor tax credit program, the Iowa film production incentive program, the research and development tax credit program, and the sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit program; elimination of the high quality jobs program, the investments in qualifying businesses tax credit, employer child care tax credits, assistive device tax credits, endow Iowa tax credits, and research activities tax credits; and including effective date provisions and criminal penalties.(Formerly HSB 305.)

IA SB52

Taxation, tax credits, Alabama employers provided a tax credit for employees targeted under the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program

IA SB110

Modify tax credits under the rural business growth program

IA SB283

Decreasing individual income tax rates, discontinuing tax credits of the high performance incentive program and the Kansas affordable housing tax credit act, discontinuing payroll withholding tax benefits of the promoting employment across Kansas act, discontinuing the crediting of certain amounts to the job creation program fund and repealing certain tax credits.

IA HB1148

Property Taxes - Tax Sales, Legacy Protection Program, and Tax Credits

IA SB765

Property Taxes - Tax Sales, Legacy Protection Program, and Tax Credits

IA HSB755

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2799.)

IA SF2301

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3103; See SF 2506.)

IA SSB3103

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority, the utilities commission, and the department of education, including creation of the headquarters expansion and development for growth and employment program, and the business incentives for growth program training fund; repeal of the new jobs tax credit program; the major economic growth attraction program; load forecasting and analysis of electric transmission system expansion plans; creation of the electric transmission system expansion planning and analysis and load forecasting fund; the industrial new jobs training program; and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2301, SF 2506.)

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