HF 2129 — A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.
Last action — Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2588.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced January 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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1 sponsor
1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
- Introduced View text Current pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
This bill establishes a new pilot program for inmate training and work release related to water and wastewater operations.
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Section 904.914
Water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program.
Creates a new section for the apprenticeship and work release program.
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Section 904.914
The department, in coordination with the Iowa department of natural resources and Iowa workforce development, shall establish an apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates to train and work as certified water and wastewater operators and to meet all of the following goals:
Mandates the establishment of the pilot program by specified departments.
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Section 904.914
1. Address the shortage of qualified water and wastewater operators in the state. 2. Provide inmates with meaningful vocational training, work experience, and a pathway to post-release employment. 3. Promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.
Sets specific goals for the pilot program.
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Section 904.914
An inmate is eligible to participate in the program if the inmate meets all of the following conditions: 1. The inmate is serving a sentence for a nonviolent offense. 2. The inmate is within twenty-four months of the inmate’s earliest possible release date. 3. The inmate has participated and demonstrated good behavior in prison programming. 4. The inmate meets the minimum qualifications established by the department of natural resources and Iowa workforce development for apprentices in water and wastewater operations. 5. The inmate is approved by the department and the board of parole for work release.
Defines eligibility criteria for inmates to join the program.
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Section 904.914
The program shall include all of the following: 1. Classroom instruction aligned with the department of natural resources certified water and wastewater operator curriculum. 2. On-the-job training with participating municipalities or utilities through registered apprenticeships. 3. Supervised work release placements to perform operator duties in a real-world setting. 4. Assistance with certification exams and job placement upon release.
Specifies the components of the pilot program.
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Section 904.914
The department of natural resources shall ensure that training and experience obtained through participation in the program qualifies toward the requirements for state certification as a water or wastewater operator.
Clarifies that program participation counts towards state certification for water and wastewater operators.
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Section 904.914
The department shall submit an annual report to the general assembly by January 15, 2027, and by January 15 each year thereafter, that includes inmate participation, certification rates, employment outcomes, and recidivism statistics for program participants.
Establishes a reporting requirement for the program.
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Section 904.914
Employers participating in the program in good faith shall be afforded the same liability protections as those currently existing for work release programs and apprenticeships.
Extends liability protections to employers of participating inmates.
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Section 904.914
This section is repealed January 16, 2029.
Sets a repeal date for the pilot program.
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Appropriation for pilot program
There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of corrections for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, the following amount, or so much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes designated: $500,000.
Allocates funding for the implementation and administration of the program.
Action History
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Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2588.
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Committee vote: Yeas, 16. Nays, 0. Excused, 1.
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Committee report, recommending passage.
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Subcommittee recommends passage.
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Subcommittee Meeting: 02/04/2026 12:45PM RM 103.
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Subcommittee: Sitzmann, Amos Jr. and Gerhold.
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Introduced, referred to Labor and Workforce.
Sponsors
- Jason Gearhart · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Jason Gearhart Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (149)
149 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 149 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HF 2129?
- HF 2129 is sponsored by Jason Gearhart (Republican).
- What is the current status of HF 2129?
- This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced January 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track HF 2129?
- Track HF 2129 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously
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