Iowa Bills

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2081: A bill for an act relating to the casting of provisional ballots by persons registering to vote on election day or when casting an in-person absentee ballot.

SF 2081 changes Iowa election rules by requiring voters who register to vote on election day or cast an in-person absentee ballot to cast a provisional ballot instead of a regular ballot. The absentee and special voters precinct board must then verify eligibility (including felony conviction status and voting rights restoration) before counting the ballot. Currently, voters at polling places with electronic poll books can receive a regular ballot if verified immediately, but this bill makes provisional ballots mandatory for all such voters. The bill applies directly to voters registering or casting ballots on election day or at in-person absentee locations. It does not alter voting eligibility standards, only the ballot type used during registration.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2075: A bill for an act relating to voter records created and retained by the state commissioner of elections.

SF 2075 requires Iowa's state commissioner of elections to create a detailed record of all voter registration data for every voter who cast a ballot in each election within 60 days after the election. The record must be organized by county and kept for eight years. Voters or others can request a free electronic copy of this record, though they must provide storage if the file is too large to transmit. This bill directly affects Iowa voters whose data is included in the records and the state commissioner of elections, who must implement the new record-keeping process.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2071: A bill for an act relating to immunization information requested on a medical examiner report used for investigations.

This bill requires medical examiners in Iowa to add specific questions about an infant's most recent immunizations to death investigation reports for children aged zero to three. It mandates including the date and type of the decedent's last immunization, and if multiple shots were given at once, all must be recorded. The state medical examiner must create implementing rules to follow these requirements. This change directly affects medical examiners and health investigators handling infant death cases in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2087: A bill for an act relating to work search requirements for unemployment benefits for certain individuals with disabilities.

This bill modifies Iowa's unemployment benefits rules to allow specific disability-related activities to count as required "work search" efforts. It directly affects Iowans receiving unemployment benefits who have intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, or are blind. The key provision permits these individuals to fulfill weekly work search requirements by participating in approved vocational rehabilitation programs (for intellectual disabilities/autism/brain injury) or employment assistance programs for the blind, both offered by state departments. This change replaces standard job-search activities with disability-specific support programs designed to help these individuals gain or maintain employment. The bill does not alter benefit eligibility or amounts, only the method for meeting work search requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SJR 2004: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to corporate participation in the political process.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in Iowa that would prohibit corporations from making financial contributions or participating in election activities (like supporting candidates or ballot measures). It directly affects all Iowa corporations, barring them from engaging in political spending or advocacy related to elections. The amendment includes an exception for corporations specifically formed to create, sell, or operate election equipment. If approved by voters, this change would require a constitutional amendment, not a regular law, and would take effect after ratification.

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SJR 2005: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of all youths of this state to a comprehensive public education.

SJR 2005 is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Iowa to guarantee all youths a comprehensive public education meeting or exceeding national standards through public schools and qualified educators. It mandates instruction in core subjects including reading, math, science, history, social studies, arts, and human development, as determined by the legislature or education agencies. The resolution, currently referred to a committee after introduction on January 21, 2026, must next be published for three months and referred to the next general assembly before potentially going to voters for ratification. This is a procedural step toward amending Iowa's constitution, not an immediate law.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HSB 589: A bill for an act related to competitive information of city utilities.

This bill (HSB 589) expands when city utilities in Iowa can hold closed meetings to discuss confidential business details. It specifically broadens the definition of "proprietary information" to include customer records that could harm a utility's competitiveness, and details about energy infrastructure, market pricing, or facility ownership. Utilities can now hold closed sessions by two-thirds vote to discuss these topics if public disclosure would harm their competitive position, without requiring disclosure to competitors. Closed session records must still be made public once disclosure no longer causes harm.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HSB 550: A bill for an act providing for accreditation of regents institutions by the commission for public higher education.

This bill requires Iowa's public universities (governed by the Board of Regents) to apply for and qualify for accreditation through the Commission for Public Higher Education. It directs the Board of Regents to ensure each institution takes all necessary steps to meet accreditation standards. The policy change mandates that these institutions formally seek accreditation rather than relying on existing processes. This affects all public universities in Iowa under the Board of Regents, such as the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The bill focuses on establishing a formal accreditation pathway for these institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SF 2050: A bill for an act relating to the individual income tax by allowing members of the general assembly to deduct unreimbursed mileage when performing constituent services under certain circumstances, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

SF 2050 allows Iowa legislators to deduct unreimbursed mileage costs incurred while performing constituent services (like meeting with voters or helping residents with government issues) at the same rate used for state employee travel expenses. This deduction does not apply to mileage during legislative sessions, special sessions, or campaign-related activities. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects Iowa legislators who incur out-of-pocket mileage costs while serving constituents outside official session days.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HSB 601: A bill for an act relating to the acquisition of water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities, including required findings by the Iowa utilities commission, the timeline for issuing ratemaking principles, and the determination of applicable ratemaking principles.

HSB 601 modifies Iowa's rules for public utilities acquiring water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems. It removes the $3 million purchase price threshold for requiring Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) approval, instead mandating the IUC find that acquisitions won't harm ratepayers of either the acquiring or acquired utility. The bill requires the IUC to set ratemaking principles (governing how acquisition costs affect future rates) *before* approving an acquisition, using net book value instead of fair market value for valuation, and prohibits deferring these principles to later proceedings. If an acquisition raises rates for existing customers, the IUC must block rate consolidation between the two utilities for at least ten years.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HF 2149: A bill for an act relating to software licensing restrictions for certain state entities, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2149 prohibits state departments and supported entities (like agencies, boards, or commissions) from entering software licensing contracts that restrict their choice of standard desktop or server hardware. It requires that such contracts allow these state entities to install and run software on hardware they select, rather than being forced to use specific vendor-approved hardware. The law applies to all new or renewed software contracts entered into by these entities on or after July 1, 2026. This change directly affects how state agencies negotiate software contracts, ensuring greater flexibility in their technology infrastructure choices.

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HSB 606: A bill for an act requiring reports to the general assembly regarding establishment of certain postsecondary student athletic programs and including effective date provisions.

This bill requires three Iowa institutions to submit feasibility reports by July 30, 2026, regarding specific athletic programs. Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa must analyze establishing men’s baseball and women’s wrestling programs, while Southwestern Community College must assess a men’s wrestling program. Each report must include implementation plans, timelines, cost analyses, and projected financial impacts - such as potential tuition increases from higher enrollment of student athletes. The bill does not create the programs but mandates these studies for the legislature’s review. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Bill results