Iowa Bills

passed · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2026

HF 936: A bill for an act relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable.

HF 936 expands Iowa's open records law to include city or township instrumentalities (like nonprofit entities using property tax revenue) under the definition of "government body." This means these entities must now comply with public record disclosure requirements and face the same penalties as other government bodies. Specifically, it subjects them to Chapter 721.1, which treats knowingly falsifying public records as a class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,245. The bill applies these rules to all existing open records provisions without creating new penalties.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 503: A bill for an act relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable.

SF 503 expands Iowa's open records law to require certain nonprofit associations that serve local governments (like the Iowa League of Cities or Iowa State Association of Counties) to make their records publicly accessible. It redefines "government body" to include these "instrumentalities" - entities performing governmental functions for counties or cities - subjecting them to the same disclosure rules and civil penalties as traditional government bodies. This change affects nonprofits previously exempt from open records requirements under Iowa law, ensuring they comply with public access standards. The bill does not create new disclosure requirements but extends existing ones to these specific entities.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2026

HF 843: A bill for an act relating to oil and gas production, including filing requirements, the authority of the department of natural resources, confidential information, and pooling orders.

HF 843 updates regulations for oil and gas production and metallic mineral exploration in Iowa. The bill defines new terms and requires businesses involved in these activities to file annual organizational and contact information with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It establishes procedures for submitting and maintaining certain confidential information for five years and grants the DNR director authority to approve variances to departmental rules. Additionally, the bill modifies how spacing units are established for oil and gas pools, including provisions for "exploratory spacing units" to define new pools.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HF 2740: A bill for an act relating to the confidentiality of certain information filed with the secretary of state by foreign persons holding agricultural land.

This bill requires foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and foreign governments, to register their agricultural land holdings in Iowa with the Secretary of State, with specific information about the land and owners to be filed. The key mechanism establishes that this registration data and related reports will remain confidential records, accessible only to the attorney general for law enforcement purposes and to state government officials for oversight. The legislation mandates an annual summary report of foreign landholdings to be provided to the governor and General Assembly, while maintaining restrictions on public access to these details. The bill applies to land interests acquired on or after January 1, 1980, and requires registration within 60 days of acquisition or the specified date.

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HSB 763: A bill for an act relating to transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the department of transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund.

This bill appropriates state funds from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts allocated for various operational needs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, utility services, and specific projects like driver's license system modernization and road facility repairs. Key provisions also establish rules for how unspent money from certain maintenance and project categories can be carried over for up to three years after the fiscal year ends, ensuring funds remain available for designated purposes unless projects are completed earlier.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SF 487: A bill for an act relating to employer recordkeeping and auditing requirements for purposes of unemployment insurance and including applicability provisions.

SF 487 requires Iowa employers covered by unemployment insurance to maintain accurate work records (like pay stubs, W-2s, and tax documents) for three years after wages were paid or due. It mandates that the Department of Workforce Development conduct field audits of these records to verify compliance, requiring employers to provide pre-audit notice and allow interviews. Auditors must examine at least one employee's records for one quarter, with the option to expand audits if discrepancies are found. Employers can contest audit decisions, and the law applies to audits starting after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SF 2317: A bill for an act relating to fees for lifetime fur harvester licenses.

This bill sets a $5 base fee (plus any processing fee) for lifetime fur harvester licenses in Iowa, specifically for disabled veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. military. It directly affects Iowa residents who are disabled veterans, as defined by 38 U.S.C. ch. 11, allowing them to obtain these licenses without annual renewal. The license is issued by the Department of Natural Resources upon payment of the $5 fee, with the Department of Veterans Affairs assisting in verifying applicants' military service and disability status. The bill amends existing law to establish this fixed fee instead of allowing the department to set it via rule.

Topics ✓ Veterans