Second Funnel Hits as Session Enters Final Month

Amy Campbell on March 22, 2026

Believe it or not, the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session is nearing the end. As of Monday (March 23) there are only 30 calendar days left in the scheduled 100-day session. Since legislators only work four days each week, that leaves them with only about 18 working days before their per diems run out. We know they can work longer than the April 21 target adjournment, but they’ll do so on their own dime and without clerks.

Friday (March 20) was the second funnel deadline. While you will be happy to see some of the bills that died, there are still a bunch out there that will cause League members heartburn in these final weeks. Moving forward, the only bills eligible for debate are those that cleared committees in both chambers, bills on the unfinished business calendars, and bills coming from exempt committees (Appropriations, Ways & Means, Government Oversight, Administrative Rules Review).

The second funnel arrives at a consequential moment. Lawmakers came into this session focused on three major issues: use of eminent domain for pipeline projects, the state budget, and property tax reform.  None of these are close to the finish line, but legislative leaders will be working over the coming days to come up with budget targets. Once overall targets are set, they will divide those up amongst the ten budgets, and the budget subcommittee leaders will start making decisions on how to spend their allotted funds.  Watch the blog for updates on targets.

You can see the full list of surviving bills in the LWVIA Bill Tracker here.
You can see the bills that failed the funnel here.

Funnel Survivors

Voting & Elections

  • HF 2192 raises the threshold for passing school district bonds from 60% to 80%.
  • HF 2501 makes a number of non-con changes to election law, as proposed jointly by the Secretary of State and county auditors. The House added a few changes that were controversial, including eliminating the ability of a voter to attest to the identity of another voter who does not have proper identification. The Senate took that out, and it’s back in the House with that amendment.
  • SF 140 prohibits the use of school property as a satellite voting location if there is a school bond/issue on the ballot.
  • SF 2204 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or influencing ballot issue campaigns, either directly or indirectly.

Government Operations

  • HF 936 adds applies open records laws to any instrumentality of city/county/township.
  • HF 2304 & SF 2386 are the bills that cap indirect administrative costs in state-funded grants and contracts at 5%. This would hurt non-profit social services and safety net providers (vs. large companies that have other profit bases to spread this out). The House amendment would change the cap to 15% and allow a waiver for cause.
  • HF 2255 expands the list of individuals who may request redaction of their name from electronic public documents displayed by county assessors and recorders to include US Senators & Representatives, statewide elected officials, and legislators.
  • HF 2328 requires the state to publish state employee salary reports on a website.
  • HF 2490 revises Iowa’s open meeting laws to change where public notices are physically posted, requiring posting on a website, and requiring the posting of any amended agendas.
  • SF 2461 sets up a process for continuing appropriations if the Legislature cannot pass a budget by July 1 of each year (requiring automatic status quo budget, which would be problematic for Medicaid and school funding since level funding would be a cut in services).
  • HF 2618 eliminates the requirement that local governments consider smart planning principles.
  • HF 2711 strikes all requirements for affirmative action (race, gender, citizenship) from state employment, contracting, and educational programs.
  • HSB 563 & SSB 3034 are the Governor’s property tax bills. While still technically alive, they have been tabled for the House & Senate approaches to property tax reform.
  • HSB 596 is the House’s property tax reform proposal. You can also read about this in the bill tracker and in an upcoming blog post.
  • SF 579 prohibits local governments from enacting any civil rights ordinances or laws that are broader than those in the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 (i.e. no transgender protections). This has been signed into law.
  • SF 2431 abolishes townships as a form of government.
  • SF 2432 eliminates city public health departments (only Dubuque has one) and requires all county public health departments to contract with their county hospital to deliver public health services unless they can show it will not save money and they have the capacity to do it themselves.
  • SF 2434 changes public notice requirements for local government.
  • SF 2472 is the Senate’s property tax reform bill. Check the bill tracker for a description – we’ll do a blog post soon on this.

Health Care, Medicaid & Reproductive Rights

  • HF 571 is the health care right of conscience bill, which gives health care providers and institutions the right to not participate in a health care service that violates the provider’s or institution’s conscience. This bill was recently amended by the Senate, which completely rewrote the bill. The House plans to vote on whether to accept the Senate’s changes on Monday.
  • HF 2253 replaces the term “pregnant person” with “pregnant female” for no apparent reason other than to make sure Iowa law is binary.

    HF 2406 is the tobacco coalition’s bill that increases taxes on cigarettes by $1.50/pack.  No action has been taken on this bill since it was introduced earlier this month, and we are hearing the Senate does not have the votes to pass any cigarette tax.  These funds would be used for tobacco cessation/prevention and Medicaid.
  • HF 2563 puts new restrictions on medication abortions by limiting the ability to provide via telehealth and requiring medically inaccurate information be provided (including information about the ability to reverse the medication abortion). This bill was dead on the House Calendar, but leadership moved it to the House Appropriations Committee to keep it alive, despite the fact there is no fiscal impact and no reference to an appropriation in it.
  • HF 2564 allows pregnant minors to consent to their own prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. Right now they can consent to their child’s care, but not their own.
  • HF 2676 is the Governor’s MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) bill. It requires physicians to receive at least one hour of CEUs on nutrition every four years, adds courses in nutrition as a condition of graduating from medical school, requires Iowa to continuously apply for the summer EBT (nutrition) program, allows pharmacists to make ivermectin available without a prescription, limits additives in school breakfasts and lunches (and food sold in vending machines), requires kindergarten programs to include nutrition information on the importance of animal-based proteins, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, limits screen time for students, enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPACT), sets new guidelines for student physical activity, and requires high school students participate in at least one extra-curricular or co-curricular activity each year of school (student government, theater, yearbook, FFA, competitive mathematics, robotics, athletics, dance, band, show choir, debate, scouting, or “youth groups”). 
  • HF 2739 temporarily and retroactively raises the HMO premium tax from .95% to 3.5%, which will raise $123 million for Medicaid. Of that amount, $73.1 million will be used to fill the current fiscal year hole in Medicaid. Wellmark said this will increase premiums for a family of four by $500, despite legislators reminding them they could take these taxes out of their profits and not pass it along to those buying insurance. This was allowed by Congress to help state Medicaid programs for one year. This is one Senate vote away from going to the Governor.
  • HF 2743 creates the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund, where all federal grant funds for the Governor’s “Healthy Hometowns” initiative are deposited.
  • SF 638 imposes taxes on vape and alternative nicotine products but does not include cigarette tax changes. (Senate Ways & Means Committee)
  • SF 2422 is the Senate version of “public assistance reform,” which locks the state into Medicaid managed care (requiring legislative approval to exit it), restricts Iowa Medicaid’s ability to apply for a waiver or make a state plan amendment (must be cost neutral), and requires citizenship and legal immigration status checks for all state public assistance programs (food assistance/SNAP, Medicaid, Hawki, Iowa Health & Wellness Plan, Family Investment Program/FIP, childcare assistance), and reduces retroactive eligibility for Medicaid (leaving many hospitals with much higher levels of uncompensated care). The House HHS Committee Amendment took out the codification of Medicaid managed care and said more changes are coming. The House version of this bill had many other components, but it is now dead, so all of those things are still on the table for the amendment.

Mental Health

  • HF 2256 expands the circumstances under which a child can be adjudicated CINA (child in need of assistance) to include serious chemical dependency and other behavioral health conditions. Iowa HHS says this is unnecessary, Iowa law already has a mechanism for doing this, and this change could actually have unintended consequences.
  • HF 2523 allows parents to directly commit their minor child for substance use or mental health treatment without going through the courts if both the parents and the child’s health care provider agree it is needed and the child meets the criteria for admission.  This was prompted by a family whose 12-year-old child refused to be admitted into an MHI, despite the parents, provider, and law enforcement all agreeing it was needed. This led to delays in treatment while the courts went through the commitment process.
  • HF 2543 removes barriers to the expansion of subacute mental health treatment options in Iowa, including scaling back insurer’s ability to use prior authorization to limit access.
  • HF 2557 is the controversial and very poorly written conversion therapy bill. The bill states that it is not child abuse for a parent to raise their child according to their gender assigned at birth, including allowing them to seek conversion therapy and stating that a parent’s views on this topic are not allowed to be factored into child custody and foster parenting decisions.
  • SF 2055 & HF 2571 updates the rules of criminal procedure to make sure absence of overt acts of dangerousness cannot be the only determining factor in deciding risk to self/others in commitment hearings. Instead, courts are required to consider a comprehensive list of factors, including the original offense, behavioral and psychiatric history, substance use, institutional behavior, environmental factors, and expert assessments.
  • SF 2417 & HF 2507 are the AI chatbot regulation bills, which set requirements and guidelines for chatbots to make sure they are not misrepresenting as human or a therapist and do not encourage self-harm or harm to others.

Education & Anti-DEI Policies

  • HF 884 allows public schools to employ or use volunteer chaplains. This is a hold-over from last year and has not yet seen any action in 2026.
  • HF 2231 establishes a Seal of Civics Excellence program in high schools to acknowledge graduating seniors who demonstrate civics knowledge.
  • HF 2240 imposes a new annual tax on college and university endowment values exceeding $500 million (this is going after Grinnell College).
  • HF 2244 requires expanded instruction in civics and US government for students in grades 7-12.
  • HF 2336 prohibits schools from discriminating against students for engaging in religious, political, or ideological speech and expression on equal terms with other students. This creates an opening for litigation beyond current protections.
  • HF 2361 is another civics bills, but this one targets undergraduate college students by requiring a course in American history and government.
  • HF 2487 allows the Iowa Attorney General to investigate and file charges against a state university or state agency for violating the ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory (CRT) activities. The bill also requires the Board of Regents (beginning Fall 2028) to review all undergraduate general education requirements and core curriculum and identify those that include DEI/CRT content. The universities are directed to eliminate all requirements containing DEI/CRT elements.
  • HF 2539 repeals the Board of Regents’ minority and women educators enhancement program.
  • HF 2670 makes a number of changes to educational policy, including the removal of requirements for multi-cultural, gender-fair, and global perspectives in curriculum, elimination of mandates for schools to adopt protocols identifying adverse childhood experiences and strategies to mitigate toxic stress.
  • HF 2713 makes comprehensive education policy changes intended to expand funding and operational flexibility for charter and nonpublic schools.
  • SF 2201 increases school aid funding by 2% (signed by Governor).
  • SF 2319 requires school websites to include Your Life Iowa links and information. Current law requires this to be on student IDs, but many schools only have electronic IDs.
  • SF 2335 establishes a work group to examine how school-provided technology affects student cognitive function and academic performance.
  • SF 2336 requires state universities, community colleges, and public schools to file annual antisemitism reports (but no reporting on any other type of religious intolerance or discrimination).

Immigration/Citizenship

  • HF 2700 requires commercial drivers to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to receive or renew their CDL/CPL.
  • SF 2412 requires E-Verify and SAVE database for citizenship and legal immigration checks for all state employment and professional licenses.
  • SF 2426 requires driver’s license and permit applicants to demonstrate English proficiency.

Other Stuff

  • HF 1034 creates an individual tax credit to offset the cost of purchasing a gun safe, lock or other firearm safety device.
  • HF 1036 makes significant changes to human trafficking laws, including annual stakeholder meeting to develop legislative proposals, expands the definition of commercial sexual exploitation, extends the civil statute of limitations for survivors, requires standardized screening of children for trafficking, changes procedures for prosecuting and handling victims, and requires Iowa HHS to increase the number of restoration facilities for youth who have been trafficked.
  • HF 2527 limits liability for damages/injuries “allegedly caused” by the effects on climate from greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural and renewable fuel sources.
  • HF 2542 changes Iowa’s three strike law (not in a good way) – creating new levels of qualifying offenses, assigning new point values, and changing mandatory minimums. This bill was thought to be dead until the last day of funnel week when the Senate Judiciary Committee popped it out unexpectedly. The fiscal note is crazy – $474.1 million annually!
  • HF 2598 requires people applying for a commercial driver’s license to complete human trafficking prevention training.
  • HF 2687 creates a new groundwater monitoring pilot program using a network of 100 existing wells owned by private entities. Participation if voluntary and $100,000 is appropriated to support this pilot.
  • HF 2696 establishes a process for human trafficking victims to expunge their criminal history for offenses occurring as a result of their trafficking (aka “safe harbor” legislation).
  • SF 2263 makes a lot of changes to Iowa’s firearm laws, including allowing lawfully possessed weapons in locked cars in public parking lots, prohibiting any rules that restrict weapons in cars transporting foster children, stopping Regents universities from banning weapons in personal cars, weakening laws for “weapon free zones” near schools, and a lot more.
  • SF 2274 prohibits the sale of “trigger crank” devices, replacing broader language restricting the sale of other trigger-activating devices.
  • SF 2379 & HF 2704 are the Attorney General’s victim rights bills, which contain a number of updates to improve victim protections, but have some controversial parts that open up victim confidentiality and eliminate references to international sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) standards.
  • SF 2462 & HF 2712 restructures the state’s early childhood and family services system by aligning the early childhood districts with the state’s seven behavioral health districts. The final “deal” has not yet been struck and Early Childhood Iowa remains quite opposed to the change, but is reluctantly working on an amendment. What we know is that decategorization funding is cut, home visitation will be moved to the state so it can be matched by federal funds, and some services will remain with the 38 early childhood districts. There will likely be more oversight on what is funded and limits on administrative expenses.

Bills That Didn’t Make The Cut

  • HF 621 allowed carrying of firearms on school property.
  • HF 2068 eliminated caucus location notices in newspapers and allowed them to be posted on a party’s official social media feed (not website).
  • HF 2102 allowed driver’s license exams to be only in English.
  • HF 2134 allowed victims of domestic violence/sexual assault to break a lease.
  • HF 2137 directed public health agency websites to include info about vaccine waivers.  
  • HF 2171 eliminated the requirements for public school immunizations. 
  • HF 2292 required Iowa HHS to double the number of MHI beds.
  • HF 2294 increased the time to file an open meeting/record complaint.
  • HF 2324 prohibited shared public library/school library spaces, including use of book mobiles.
  • HF 2338 extended the gender theory/sexual orientation teaching, testing, or surveying ban passed last year to grades 7-12.
  • HF 2415 required insurers to allow a special enrollment period for pregnant women. 
  • HF 2488 would have barred private universities with DEI offices, staff, or activities from receiving Iowa Tuition Grants. 
  • HF 2495 allows forfeited weapons to be released back to local law enforcement for their use or disposal.
  • HF 2512 required removal of a teacher’s license if they publicly celebrate an act of political violence.
  • HF 2518 required a Medicaid rate review every four years for disability (HCBS) and child welfare providers.
  • HF 2520 changed how local elected official vacancies are handled.
  • HF 2530 limited DNR’s ability to put waterways on impaired water list.
  • HF 2565 created specialized human trafficking investigation units.
  • HF 2584 would have created drug free homeless zones around shelters.
  • HF 2597 allowed legislators to use their campaign funds for home security.
  • HF 2609 required notice if synthetic/AI-generated content appears in campaign materials.
  • HF 2622 cut public libraries off state funding if they didn’t comply with book censorship.
  • HF 2616 clarified that a person cannot stand on a road and shoot.
  • HF 2659 set up an affordable housing task force.
  • HF 2681 allowed video recordings to be placed in special education classrooms.
  • HF 2710 limited the Governor’s powers in a public health emergency.
  • HF 2716 is the House version of “public assistance reform.” All of the changes in this are still being considered for SF 2422, the Senate’s version of public assistance reform that is currently alive in the House. This bill did not codify managed care, but did take WIC away from undocumented mothers/babies. It also increased reimbursement for disability service providers that serve rural Iowans, set up a high-acuity pediatric work group, codified reimbursement for special population nursing facilities (only ChildServe and On With Life qualify), and allow some Iowans with disabilities to work/earn/save more and get married without risk of losing their Medicaid health care coverage (expanding the Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities program to 300% of the federal poverty level, disregarding pension and spousal income, not counting one car toward assets, and requiring Iowa HHS to allow premiums for the program to be paid electronically).
  • SF 493 prohibited local governments from hiring or having lobbyists.
  • SF 507 prohibited any DEI or DEI-adjacent activities in local government.
  • SF 2203 required proof of citizenship for existing voters & new registrants.
  • SF 2389 cut legislator per diems in half (creating a 55-day session).
  • SF 2404 set up a pilot program to allow segregated schools for special education students and/or students with challenging behaviors.  
  • SF 2424 would have required colleges to find clinical rotations that do not require vaccinations if requested by a student.
  • SF 2444 would have legalized cigar bars in Iowa, creating a new loophole in Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act.

Candidate Deadline Surprises

Amy Campbell on March 22, 2026

Friday, March 13 was the deadline for legislative candidates to file their campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State.  That means we now know which State Representatives and State Senators are retiring, which ones are running again, and who have challengers in the June primary or in the November general election. You can see the candidate list here, House district map here, and Senate District map here.

State-Wide Office Surprises

  • Julie Stauch, a Democratic candidate for Governor, will not appear on the ballot after having issues with her signatures. That leaves only State Auditor Rob Sand on the Democratic side.

State Senators Retiring (9)

  • Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Senate District 9)
  • Sen. Julian Garrett (R-Senate District 11)
  • Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R-Senate District 13)
  • Sen. Izaah Knox (D-Senate District 17)
  • Sen. Ken Rozenboom (D-Senate District 19)
  • Sen. Mike Bousselot (R-Senate District 21) — running for Senate District 23
  • Sen. Jack Whitver (R-Senate District 23)
  • Sen. Bill Dotzler (D-Senate District 31)
  • Sen. Zach Wahls (D-Senate District 43) — running for US Senate

State Representatives Retiring (17)

  • Rep. JD Scholten (D-House District 1)
  • Rep. Tom Jeneary (R-House District 3)
  • Rep. Zach Dieken (R-House District 5)
  • Rep. Matt Windschitl (R-House District 15)
  • Rep. Josh Turek (D-House District 20) — running for US Senate
  • Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-House District 32)
  • Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines (D-House District 33)
  • Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla (R-House District 37) — running for State Senate
  • Rep. Jon Dunwell (R-House District 38)
  • Rep. Rick Olson (D-House District 39)
  • Rep. Heather Matson (D-House District 42)— running for State Senate
  • Rep. Eddie Andrews (R-House District 43) — running for Governor
  • Rep. Shannon Latham (R-House District 55)
  • Rep. Timi Brown-Powers (D-House District 61)— running for State Senate
  • Rep. Lindsay James (D-House District 71)— running for US Congress
  • Rep. Bob Kressig (D-House District 75)
  • Rep. Monica Kurth (D-House District 98)

About half of the legislators up for re-election have no opponent in the November election (11 Senate seats, 42 House seats).  Only four Senators have an opponent in the June primary: Senators Mike Bousselot, Lynn Evans, David Rowley, and Annette Sweeney.  There are ten Republican Representatives that will have a primary opponent: Representatives Brett Barker, Mike Bergan, Jane Bloomingdale, Mark Cisneros, Helena Hayes, Christian Hermanson, Chad Ingels, Brian Lohse, Carter Nordman, and Devon Wood.  Only one Democrat faces a primary opponent: Rep. Ken Croken.

Those that do not have an opponent in the November general election are not out of the woods yet.  The opposing political party still has time to nominate a candidate (deadline is August 19, 2026).  

Retirements, Primaries & No Challenges 2026Download

LWVIA Legislative Check-In Recordings

Amy Campbell on March 12, 2026

You can find the links to the biweekly legislative check-ins here:

You can sign up here to join any (or all) of these 30-minute checkins. We just ask that you take a look at the Bill Tracker and be prepared to ask questions about the bills important to you, your family, your community, and your local League!

Differing Views on Revenue Estimates

Amy Campbell on March 12, 2026

The state’s economic forecasting panel (Revenue Estimating Conference, or REC for short) met today to finalize their estimates for the current fiscal year (FY 2026) and the upcoming budget year (FY 2027). The news is not great – revenues for the current year had to be reduced by another $46 million and next year’s estimates were reduced by another $27 million. The more than 9% drop in revenues over the previous year is the product of large state income tax cuts being fully phased in and the impact of various federal tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Tariffs, manufacturing and agricultural industry stress, and increasing gas prices are all factoring into the panel’s use of caution in its readjustments.

The truth is simple – the state is spending more money than it is collecting.

  • The state’s total estimated revenues to be collected in FY 2027 is $8.472 billion.
  • The Governor recommended spending $9.67 billion for Fiscal Year 2027 – this 2% increase overspends what the state will take in by $1.2 billion.
  • To balance the budget, the Governor uses funds from the Taxpayer Relief Fund and ending fund balances to make up the difference.
  • To balance Medicaid, legislators are actually contemplating a temporary, retroactive tax on Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield in order to draw down additional federal dollars. Insurers say this retroactive tax will just mean increases in the cost of health insurance for working families.

Legislators are spinning this news in different ways. Iowa Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen pointed to the state’s cash position, “The state has $5.6 billion cash on hand, the reserve funds are full, and the Taxpayer Relief Fund has a balance of $4 billion.” He said the reserves the state put aside when it cut taxes is doing its job and filling the gaps while the economy hits its new stride. Governor Kim Reynolds declared, “Despite some unease in the national economy, Iowa’s economy remains strong.”

On the other hand, House Minority Leader Brian Meyer said the use of reserves was intended to pay for priorities like property tax relief, not “covering their budget mess.” You can read the spreadsheets here.

What’s Next?

Senate Republican leaders will decide how much they want to spend in FY 2027, then divide that up amongst each budget area (Administration/Regulation, Agriculture/Natural Resources, Economic Development, Education, Health/Human Services, Judicial Branch, Judiciary, Transportation, Standings). The House Republican leaders will do the same. Then the negotiations begin.

Property tax reform is still on the table, along with increasing taxes for cigarettes, nicotine/vape products, consumable help, and sports gaming.

First Deadline Hits Iowa Legislature

Amy Campbell on February 24, 2026

The Iowa Legislature has now passed its first deadline, what lawmakers call the “first funnel.” This deadline helps narrow the list of bills that can be considered. That is important considering legislators have already introduced 1,542 bills this year alone. Last year broke the state record for most bills introduced and this may come up a close second. In order to make this first deadline, bills had to be voted out of their originating committee by Friday, February 20. Bills that are left behind in committee will not become law this year – unless they show up as an amendment to a different bill. There are a couple of exceptions, including bills that are sponsored by the Government Oversight Committee, spend money (Appropriations Committee), or deal with a tax (Ways & Means Committee).

We have moved the bills that died in the funnel to the “Inactive” list in the LWVIA Bill Tracker. Only those bills that made it through this first deadline will still be listed as “Active.” You can see the bills that didn’t make the cut by switching the dropdown box to “Inactive” and clicking on “Search Bills.”

Surviving Bills: Elections/Voting

  • SF 2203 requires the Secretary of State to use of the federal Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to verify the citizenship status of all currently registered voters and all new voter registrations. Notice of the results is sent to county election commissioners, who must then track down the person and give them options (cancel their voter registration, prove their citizenship, or provide information to them on how to contact the federal government and correct the information). LWVIA is opposed.
  • HF 2609 requires any “synthetic media” used in campaign materials clearly display a disclosure. This includes any digitally manipulated videos, photos, or audio, with liability falling on the publisher. (LWVIA Supports)
  • HF 2068 allows precinct caucus locations to be posted on a political party’s social media account instead of in a newspaper. LWVIA is undecided and asked that they consider an amendment to make the alternative a website instead of a social media account (voters should not have to get a social media account to be able to find this information). The committee agreed and will look at an amendment before a floor vote.
  • HF 2501 & SF 2287 are companion bills originating from the county auditor’s association. They make changes in the administration of elections, including text messages to confirm status of absentee ballots. LWVIA is registered undecided and there has been no controversy around these bills.
  • HF 2623 moves school and city elections to even-numbered years, aligning them with general elections. LWVIA is registered undecided. The county auditors are opposed, professional educators of Iowa are in support.
  • HF 2192 increases the threshold to pass a school bond from 60% to 80%. LWVIA has not yet taken a position on this bill.
  • SF 140 prohibits the use of school property as a satellite voting location if there is a school bond question on the ballot. LWVIA is registered undecided.

Surviving Bills: Transparency & Civic Participation

  • HF 2231 & SF 2361 establishes a Seal of Civics Excellence program to recognize graduating high school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics (the seal would be affixed to their high school transcript or would be awarded as a certificate). LWVIA is registered undecided.
  • HF 2361 requires undergraduate college students to complete courses in American History and American Government and HF 2244 requires all schools (including private schools) to require a full unit of US government instruction for high school students. LWVIA is registered undecided on both bills.
  • SF 503 & HF 936 apply open records laws to any instrumentality of a county, city, or township. LWVIA is registered undecided (as is everyone but Sierra Club).
  • HF 2294 extends the period in which a person may file open meetings or public records violation complaints from 60 days to 90 days. LWVIA is monitoring this bill.
  • HF 2330 requires public record custodians to promptly acknowledge receipt of a public record request and sets up a process for keeping a person informed during delays. LWVIA is monitoring this bill.
  • HF 2490 & SF 2434 changes how public notice of governmental meetings is posted. They take different approaches and the Senate bill includes a removal of posting in newspapers (making it optional). LWVIA is monitoring these bills.

Surviving Bills: Human Trafficking

  • SF 2167 & HF 2598 require all commercial driver’s license holders to complete a human trafficking prevention training every three years (training is only 30 minutes).
  • HF 2565 establishes a human trafficking task force to coordinate efforts across agencies to prevent, combat, and prosecute human trafficking. LWVIA supports this bill.
  • HF 2134 allows victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, and domestic violence to terminate their rental agreements. LWVIA supports.
  • HF 2696 is the “safe harbor” legislation that allows human trafficking victims to petition the courts to expunge criminal offenses committed as a result of their being trafficked. LWVIA supports this bill.
  • SF 2379 & HF 2404 is the Attorney General’s victim rights bill, but victim services agencies have mixed feelings about the bill. On the positive side, victim rights are solidified and there are new processes put in place to ensure they are informed of those rights. On the concerning side, training standards for sexual assault nurse examiners are eliminated and left up to the Attorney General (vs. the international standard in place). Some victim services providers asked to be allowed to inform law enforcement if a person is a danger to themselves or others (duty to warn), while others worry that this will weaken victim counselor privacy protections. LWVIA is undecided for all of these reasons – supporting some but concerned about other parts.

Surviving Bills: Reproductive Rights

  • HF 318 prohibits insurance companies from requiring cost-sharing for supplemental and diagnostic breast exams that are more than what is required for routine screenings. LWVIA supports.
  • HF 2338 applies last year’s gender theory and sexual orientation instruction ban to middle and high school courses (currently only applies to K-6). LWVIA opposes.
  • HF 2563 ends telemedicine medication abortions by mandating in-person physician examinations prior to dispensing the medication, requires coercion screening before medication abortions, and establishes new consent and information disclosure requirements that include informing the woman of the ability to reverse a medication abortion (not true). Also creates comprehensive reporting obligations for complications arising from such drugs and creates a Texas-style private cause of action against unauthorized dispensing. LWVIA strongly opposes – the Senate companion failed to make it out of committee.
  • HF 2415 requires health insurers to have a special enrollment period for pregnant women, improving access to prenatal care. LWVIA is currently monitoring the bill.
  • SF 304 requires parental consent to administer the HPV vaccine and any other vaccine that prevents sexually transmitted diseases (despite HPV vaccinations virtually eliminating cervical cancer in people with the vaccine). This bill is one vote away from heading to the Governor (it’s not the House calendar). LWVIA opposes.
  • SF 2150 & HF 2654 gives pregnant minors the ability to consent to their own prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care. Currently they have the ability to direct their infant’s care but not their own. A better bill would allow them to consent to all of their care (including vaccines) but this is a step in the right direction. LWVIA supports.
  • HF 2253 re-genders language in the Iowa Code from “pregnant person” to “pregnant female.” LWVIA is just monitoring this bill.

Surviving Bills: Gun Safety

  • HF 2718 establishes an anti-red flag gun seizure act (you read that right). States that no federal red flag laws will be enforced in Iowa. LWVIA opposes.
  • HF 621 allows firearms on school property if they are lawfully possessed and in a car during drop-offs or deliveries, or in school vehicles. LWVIA opposes.
  • HF 2495 allows the Iowa Department of Public Safety to release forfeited weapons and ammunition to law enforcement agencies if requested. LWVIA is just monitoring this bill.
  • SF 2280 expands the list of professions eligible for professional licenses to carry to include judicial officers, attorney general and deputies, and assistant attorneys general. LWVIA is just monitoring this bill.
  • HF 2616 makes it illegal to shoot a rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver from any road. LWVIA is just monitoring this bill (no one is opposed or in support).
  • SF 2274 prohibits the sale of “trigger crank” devices, thus replacing prior broader language that restricted the sale of any manual or power-driven trigger-activating device that increases a firearm’s rate of fire.  This narrows the prohibition, so opens it up for allowing other types of devices. LWVIA is monitoring this bill.
  • HF 1034 creates an individual tax credit of up to $500 to offset the purchase of a firearm safety device or a gun safe. LWVIA supports this bill.

Surviving Bills: Water

  • HF 2687 appropriates $100,000 to create a pilot program to monitor groundwater by retrofitting up to 100 private wells with certified monitoring system. LWVIA is currently undecided.
  • HF 2527 & SF 2427 limits liability for damages or injuries “allegedly caused” by the effects of climate from greenhouse gas emissions (particularly those from agricultural or renewable fuel sources). LWVIA is opposed.
  • HF 2530 prohibits the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from placing any state waterway on the impaired waters list due to fecal bacteria unless they have conducted an analysis that designates (by percentage) the contribution of each animal species to the contamination. LWVIA opposes this bill.

Surviving Bills: Education

  • SF 2201 increases school funding by 2.5% for the next year, adds $7 million for paraeducators to sustain salary increases made two years ago. This bill is on its way to the Governor. LWVIA is monitoring.
  • HF 884 is a hold-over from last year, but is one vote away from going to the Governor (on the Senate calendar). It allows schools to employ chaplains or have volunteer chaplains. LWVIA opposes.
  • HF 2681 allows schools to install video recording systems in special education classrooms, but the bill does not state that these are part of a student’s private educational record and thus likely violate federal law. There are parents of children with disabilities on both sides of this issue (some think it will reduce bullying, others say it violates their child’s privacy). LWVIA is monitoring this bill.
  • SF 2404 sets up a pilot program to allow a school district to set up a separate school for students with behavioral needs or students receiving special education. LWVIA is undecided.
  • HF 2336 & SF 2300 prohibits schools from discriminating against students engaging in religious, political or ideological speech and expression on equal terms with other students. This actually weakens protections and opens up the schools to bullying. LWVIA is opposed.
  • HF 2512 mandates a teacher’s license be revoked for “publicly celebrating acts of violence.” Clearly this is a reaction to the post-Charlie Kirk posts some teachers in the state made, and is clearly a violation of free speech protections. LWVIA opposes (for the violations of free speech).
  • HF 2544 & SF 2336 requires public school districts, community colleges and state universities to submit annual reports on the number of complaints and incidents of anti-Semitism. LWVIA is monitoring the bill (but this should also now be applied to non-public schools who receive public funding and to other forms of religious intolerance targeting a religious group).
  • SF 2405 expands prohibitions on public school teaching, advocating, or promoting stereotyping and scapegoating based on identity or demographic group membership. LWVIA is opposed.
  • HF 2338 applies the DEI and gender theory bans to middle & high schools (the bans enacted last year applied only to K-6). LWVIA opposes.
  • SF 2303 & HF 2487 prohibits state universities from requiring any courses containing DEI or CRT content. LWVIA is currently monitoring.
  • HF 2488 prohibits private colleges from having DEI offices/staff or engaging in DEI activities if they participate in the Iowa Tuition Grant Program. This is going after Drake University and Grinnell College, which have doubled down on their support for DEI activities. LWVIA opposes.
  • HF 2240 similarly targets Grinnell College by creating a new annual tax on private colleges with an endowment of more than $500 million. LWVIA is monitoring this bill.
  • HF 2539 repeals the Board of Regents’ minority and women educators enhancement program – because it is a DEI program. LWVIA is opposed.
  • HF 2676 & SF 2367 ban artificial dyes and additives in food and beverages sold at a school, including an additive that is in all white flour. This is part of the Governor’s MAHA bill, which LWVIA is otherwise monitoring.
  • SF 2425, SF 2406, and HF 2699 all make major updates to charter schools, and SF 2425 makes additional changes that include a change to school start date. LWVIA is monitoring.
  • HF 2493 expands the eligibility for four-year-old preschool programs to include five-year-olds who turn five between March 15 – September 15 of the school year. LWVIA is monitoring.
  • HF 2358 & SF 2231 allows community-based child care providers to receive funding for state-approved preschool programs. LWVIA is undecided.
  • There are other bills that impact education: HF 2705 deals with school funding and taxes and open enrollment, HF 2713 makes miscellaneous changes in K-12 education, and SF 2137 changes definition of qualified education expenses for ESAs (educational savings plans), aligning the definition with the IRS definition. LWVIA is monitoring all these bills.

NOTE: Some of these bills will be renumbered. When you link to them, it will list newer numbers in the “Track Versions” column on the left side of the bill. I will try to update this post as new numbers come out.

Polarizing Bills Continue to Take Up Time at State Capitol

Amy Campbell on February 18, 2026

This article was written by LWVIA Intern Makenna Hovey, a Drake University student.

Recently, there have been a handful of bills dealing with abortion, transgender rights, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). So much has been done on these issues over the past three years that you rightfully probably thought we were done with them. Not so (and we could add attacks on libraries, gun laws, and people born in other countries to the list).

Abortion Related Bills are nothing new in Iowa, considering the state has been red-leaning and the Fetal Heartbeat Law was enacted roughly a year and a half ago. Sadly, a few have already made it through the first deadline:

SSB 3115 and HF 2563 are abortion bills that not only ban the use of telehealth for medication abortions, but also impact the information doctors are required to tell patients before performing an abortion, information that is medically unproven and could put a woman’s health at serious risk. These bills require what supports call “informed consent” when being prescribed abortion-induced drugs and require reporting on abortion drug-induced complications. 

These bills would require doctors to let a patient know that they have the ability to reverse an abortion after taking mifepristone or misoprostol. This idea of “reversing an abortion” was made after a single doctor “performed” reverse abortions on a handful of women without going through proper human trial protocols. Respected medical organizations have debunked this “treatment” and have said it can create serious complications. Requiring physicians and other medical personnel to lie to a woman about unproven and unsafe procedures violates their professional ethics. This gives many abortion doctors the ultimatum of choosing between their ethics or spreading false information. 

SSB 3115 was pulled from the last Senate Judiciary Committee agenda before the first funnel deadline, so it will not advance. Unfortunately, HF 2563 passed out of the House committee on a nearly party line vote (one Republican voted against). It is on the House Calendar and a live round until the next deadline (March 20).

Besides abortions bills there are a few Anti DEI and Anti Transgender bills that we have had our eye on. 

HF 2541 is a bill that further limits protections for transgender individuals’ rights. This bill builds on last year’s changes to the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. This Act prohibits a local government from establishing a civil rights ordinance or law that is broader than the state law (i.e. no local protections for transgender Iowans). Supporters of this bill said that this puts local ordinances in line with Iowa’s civil rights laws. Opponents say it is a mean-spirited attack on transgender Iowans and targets communities who are trying to protect their rights. The bill is out of committee and has cleared the funnel deadline.

HF 2123 establishes mandatory consequences for state entities and school districts that violate existing prohibitions on DEI offices/staff and bans on DEI materials in educational curricula and trainings. If a violation is proven in court, the individual responsible and their knowing supervisor must be terminated, and professional licenses or certifications are subject to mandatory revocation. This bill also imposes significant civil penalties on schools districts and governmental agencies that violate the anti-DEI laws. Fortunately this bill was pulled from the House Education Committee agenda this week and will not make it through funnel. 

Two other bills made it through the funnel. HF 2488  adds a new requirement for private colleges participating in the Iowa tuition grant program: they must not establish, sustain, support, or staff DEI offices. Non-compliant institutions may lose eligibility for the tuition grant program until corrective action is taken. This is really targeting Drake University and Grinnell College, who have publicly doubled down on supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on their campuses.

HF 2487 expands the Attorney General’s authority to investigate and enforce restrictions on DEI and critical race theory-related activities by state entities and public higher education institutions. The attorney general would be allowed to subpoena documents, seek court enforcement, and hire special counsel (with costs reimbursed by the investigated entity). The state Board of Regents is also directed to review and potentially eliminate undergraduate course requirements containing DEI or CRT content by fall 2028.

There are many more of these bills in the LWVIA’s bill tracker, so check it frequently!

Capitol Day 2026

Amy Campbell on February 18, 2026

The LWVIA Capitol Day at the Iowa State Capitol is Thursday, February 26 (10 am to 1 pm). League members are welcome to come anytime during that time – no registration required! Our booths will be on the First Floor Rotunda – along the North side. Wear your League gear and get ready to advocate!

LWVIA 2026 Lobby from Home DayDownload

Public Assistance Reforms Proposed

Amy Campbell on February 14, 2026

The Iowa House and Senate have each proposed their own public assistance program reform bills in the wake of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA allowed states to set new restrictions on various public assistance programs, weakening the Affordable Care Act provisions that helped provide health insurance to low income Americans in states that added coverage for an “expansion population.” Iowa is an expansion state – we created the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHWP) for Iowans who otherwise do not qualify for regular Medicaid and earn no more than 133% of the federal poverty level. IHWP member get the same health insurance coverage as state employees.

Below you can review a crosswalk showing the Iowa House vs. Senate approach.  The bill numbers will change as they move out committee and we know there are amendments being discussed, so I will update this as the bills change.  Right now the House HHS Committee will vote on their bill (HSB 696) at their committee meeting Tuesday (2/17) at 2:30 pm. The subcommittee for the Senate bill (SSB 3140) meets on Tuesday (2/17) at Noon to hear comments and advance their bill. It will likely be on the full committee agenda on Thursday (2/19) at 11 am.  

Comparison Public Assistance BillsDownload

Lots of Voting Bills, But Few Moving

Amy Campbell on February 12, 2026

There have been a lot of voting bills introduced this year. Although there is a large number of these bills, we don’t think many will be considered. With just a week to go before the first funnel deadline (when bills must be voted out of their originating committee), we have listed some of the more important and controversial bills to note dealing with voting and election laws. There are bills between roughly 4 categories, 1) Bills that change how someone may vote, 2) How votes are processed, 3) Election law changes, and 4) Other categories (such as caucus law).

  1. First, bills that change how you vote. This section specifically focuses on restrictions, absentee voting, and changes that impact on how someone can vote. 
  • Election Law Reform HSB627 & SF 2287: These twin bills have both made it out of committee, so are what we call “funnel proof,” meaning they are now eligible for debate for the rest of session. These bills were requested by the Secretary of State and supported by the Iowa Association of County Auditors. The bills revise multiple aspects of Iowa’s election administration, including how recounts are handled and updating the types of election equipment used. LWVIA is just monitoring this bill.
  • Same-Day Voter Registration/Voting HF2164 & SF 2081: These companion bills make the ballots of those voting early in person or same day registration voters provisional. LWVIA opposes these bills, but fortunately the House bill was never assigned a subcommittee and the Senate subcommittee has yet to schedule a hearing.
  • School/Local Election Dates HF2191: Moves election and school elections to an even year, so they would be held at the same time as the general election. The bill also extends terms for office holders until the even year. The subcommittee recommended passage of this bill, but it has not yet been scheduled for full committee debate. LWVIA is just monitoring this bill.
  • School Bond Election Requirements HF2192: This bill moves the threshold from 60% to 80% for passing school district bond proposals and adds a four year waiting period prior to being reconsidered. This bill is in the House Ways & Means Committee, so it does not have to be taken up before the funnel deadlines. In the three weeks since it was introduced, it still has not been assigned a subcommittee. LWVIA is monitoring this bill for now, but if it starts to gain traction we’ll reconsider that position.
  • Local Elections to Fill Vacancies HSB639: Adds a new required process for filling vacancies within elected spots. LWVIA is monitoring this bill, but the county auditors and school board association both support this bill, which has been voted out of committee and will be assigned a new House File number soon.
  • Satellite Absentee Voting SF140: Prohibits the use of a school to be used as a satellite for absentee voting if there is a school-related question (bond, levy, etc) on the ballot, and makes sure all materials that reference this question are also removed from satellite locations similar to the law requiring removal of candidate names. LWVIA is monitoring this bill, which has already passed the Senate and is now out of the House committee and ready for full House debate. School organizations are opposed; everyone else is neutral.
  • Ballot Labeling Requirements SF2074 & HF2195: Requires county auditors to label each ballot with the way the vote was cast (mail-in absentee, in-person absentee, poll site voting, etc). LWVIA and county auditors are opposed.
  • Absentee Ballot Deadline SF2077 & HF2165: This bill requires absentee ballots to be turned in the day before the election at 5pm and requires more information on ballots (voter verification number, an additional envelope). LWVIA and Disability Rights Iowa are opposed, while county auditors are neutral. Fortunately these bills have not moved since introduced, so unlikely to make the upcoming deadline. 
  • Voter Registration Form Availability SF2130: Any place that sells hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses would be required to make voter registration forms available at their business. The Senate subcommittee met on this bill, but tabled it indefinitely (aka killed it). They did not want to force private businesses to do this, and noted that they already could do this voluntarily. Others worried someone could try to electioneer. LWVIA was monitoring this bill.
  • Accessible Absentee Ballot Marking Pilot HF2118 & SSB3047: These companion bills were requested by the Secretary of State (Senate) and Rep. Jon Dunwell/Rep. David Young (House). The create a pilot program to help Iowans who are blind or have low vision be able to vote early at home independently without assistance using special equipment. LWVIA, AARP, and organizations representing Iowans with disabilities all support these bills, but they are unfortunately not moving forward a second year in a row.
  1. Secondly, how votes are processed. This category narrows down any bills that deal with voter identification, and or security for voting in Iowa. 
  • Voter Records Requirements SF2075 & HF 2166: This bill requires the county auditors and the Secretary of State to keep detailed records of voter registration for at least 8 years, and the records have to be kept electronically.  Neither bill is moving.
  • Candidate Security HF2160: Allows candidates to use their election campaign funds to pay for personal home and security if the cost is reasonable. This bill is also not moving. 
  • Citizenship Verification for Voter Registration SF2203: Requires the Secretary of State to verify registered voters in Iowa are US citizens and sets up process for verification when registering to vote (using federal SAVE verification system). This bill is out of committee and safe from the funnel. LWVIA and Migrant Movement for Justice oppose the bill (League is concerned about delays and accuracy of SAVE).
  1. Third, Election Law changes. This section highlights bills that are trying to turn nonpartisan partisan, and focus on laws surrounding the use of AI and other updated changes that elections may base with growing technology and or partisan approaches.  
  • Election Synthetic Media Disclosure SF2166: Requires there to be a clear disclosure when fake or synthetically used media is used in campaign materials (such as AI generated media). This bill is dead.
  • Ballot Party Identification HF2073: Makes any elected official that has the authority to propose, levy, or approve a tax to have their party listed on the ballot (essentially making community college trustees, school boards, and city councils partisan). LWVIA opposes. The bill passed subcommittee but has not been called up in committee for a vote.
  • Campaign Finance Restrictions SF2204 & HF2044: Prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to ballots and or any election campaigns. LWVIA is monitoring these bills. The Senate bill has made it through the funnel and is ready for Senate debate; the House bill passed subcommittee but has not yet been taken up by the full committee.
  • AI Use in Elections HF2150: This bill puts strong guardrails in place for use of AI in election and election related materials for candidates, committees, and officials. It’s a Democrat-sponsored bill, so did not get a subcommittee meeting.
  • Campaign Synthetic Media HSB643 & SSB3039: This bill addresses the use of fake/synthetic images in campaign materials by requiring clear disclosure. The bills were proposed by the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board and both have passed subcommittee but are awaiting full committee vote. LWVIA supports these bills, but the Iowa Newspaper Association is opposed.
  1. This category is our catchall section: 
  • Precinct Caucus Notices SF2015 & HF 2068: These bills allow political party precinct caucus notices to be published on an official political party’s social media account. This replaces the need for newspaper posting. LWVIA and AARP are both undecided and will be asking for this to be amended o include a website (so that those without social media can access information). Both feel that access to this information should not require a login to access. The Iowa Newspaper Association opposes these bills. The House subcommittee will meet on 2/16/26 at 12:30 pm to discuss this bill; the Senate subcommittee has not scheduled a meeting.
  • Congressional District Conventions HF2239: This would mandate each political party to hold a congressional district convention. Currently a party “may” hold one. No subcommittee has been assigned to this, which says no one plans to bring it up.

There are a lot of bills and many issues that are tracked for LWVIA, so check the bill tracker for a complete list with greater detail.

This post was written by Drake University student Makenna Hovey, the Advocacy Cooperative’s Government Relations Intern.

Session Timeline: Funnels Approaching

Amy Campbell on February 2, 2026

The Iowa Legislature only meets for four months to pass laws and prepare budgets for the upcoming year. That’s 110 days in the first year of a two-year general assembly, and 100 days during the second year. To keep bills on track and eliminate the “noise” of bills that have no chance of making it through the process, legislators have enacted a series of deadlines (called funnels) to narrow the list of bills eligible for debate.

The First Funnel deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026. To stay eligible for debate, a bill must have made it out of its originating committee. Bills sponsored by leaders, dealing with taxes, spending money, or coming out of the Government Oversight Committee are exempt from the funnel deadlines.

The Second Funnel deadline is Friday, March 20, 2026. To keep moving through the process, bills will need to be voted out of committee in the opposite chamber. That means House Files are out of Senate committee, and Senate Files out of House committees. Again, the list of exempt bills is the same (taxes, budgets, government oversight, leadership sponsored bills).

The “final” day of session is slated for April 21, 2026. That is when legislators lose their expense checks (called “per diems”) and clerks. They can still be in session beyond this date, but they will not be reimbursed for the expense of coming to Des Moines and they’ll have to answer their own messages and do their own paperwork.

Some people call bills “funnel proof.” That normally means that the bill includes a tax or has an appropriation. It can also mean that twin bills were voted out of committee in both chambers. This is a way to fast track a bill by having companions go through the process simultaneously (rather than consecutively). When one chamber passes a companion bill, it goes immediately to the other chamber’s calendar and is “attached” to the companion bill there (avoiding going through the committee process again). Being funnel proof is a great thing when you like the bill – but can be make a bill hard to stop when its something you don’t like.