HSB 639 Iowa House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to elections to fill vacancies in elective county and city offices.

This bill changes how Iowa counties and cities fill vacancies in elected offices like county supervisors or city council members. It allows governing bodies (e.g., county boards or city councils) to appoint someone to serve until the next election, but gives voters the option to request a special election by filing a petition with enough signatures if at least six months of the unexpired term remains. Petitions must be submitted within 14 days of the appointment notice, and a special election is required if the petition meets signature requirements. Additionally, if an official provides written notice over 73 days before the next general election they plan to resign after the election, the vacancy will be filled at that general election with the office listed as "To Fill Vacancy" on the ballot.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 16, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Feb 16, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2520.
legislature
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee vote: Yeas, 21. Nays, 0.
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report, recommending passage.
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Feb 3, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/04/2026 12:30PM RM 102.
legislature
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee reassigned: Lawler, Croken and Smith.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Lawler, Croken and Wheeler.
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Local Government.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.