Category: Iowa Legislature

The Iowa Legislature started its 100-day session on January 12, 2026, welcoming four new legislators after a record-breaking year of special elections. Rep. Wendy Larson (replacing Mike Sexton), Sen. Catelin Drey (replacing Rocky DeWitt), and Sen. Renee Hardman (replacing Claire Celsi) were all elected after the 2025 legislative session adjourned. The session also started off with a new set of leaders: Rep. Brian Meyer (House Minority Leader), Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (House Majority Leader), and Sen. Mike Klimesh (Senate Majority Leader) all took over the leadership reigns this summer/fall.

Before we dive into the first week – a few reminders:

• Legislators who want to sponsor bills need to ask for those bills by Friday, January 23.
• Bills need to be voted out of their originating committee by Friday, February 20 (“first funnel”).
• February 26 is LWVIA Capitol Day! Stay tuned for more information.
• Bills must be voted out of committee in the second chamber by Friday, March 20 (“second funnel”).
• The 100th “Last Day” of session is April 21.

Governor’s Budget & Priorities: Governor Kim Reynolds kicked of the session with her annual Condition of the State Address, sticking with her priorities of cancer prevention, property tax relief and educational choice as centerpieces to her 2026 agenda. You can read her budget documents here and review the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) analysis here.

• Governor recommends spending $9.67 billion for next fiscal year (FY 2027). That is $206.5 million below the 99% spending limit, but is a 2% increase over the current year. This includes $8 million more to pick up the cost of SNAP (food assistance) administration that prior to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) was paid for by the federal government. It also includes $70.0 million supplemental for Medicaid and savings of $51.4 million in yet-to-be-defined Medicaid “cost containment” strategies.
• Schools would receive a 2% increase under the Governor’s plan, but spending on ESA (private school vouchers) increases by 6.6% because of higher demand.
• There no additional money allocated for water quality, Medicaid provider rates, human trafficking, or victim assistance.
• Governor recommends allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin and contraceptives to adults without a prescription; considering a state health insurance exchange; allowing counties to appoint (rather than elect) the county treasurer, auditor, and recorder; and increasing penalties for lying about citizenship on voter registration to a class “D” felony.

Dueling Property Tax Plans: The Senate Republicans announced their approach to property tax relief on the first day of session (SSB 3001). The Governor announced her plan during her Condition of the State address (SSB 3034/HSB 563). The House Democrats have their plan, but we’ve yet to see the House Republicans’ approach.

• Governor’s plan puts a hard 2% cap on the growth of property tax revenue but allows for additional revenues for new development and boundary changes. It also freezes property taxes for homeowners who are age 65+ if their homes are valued at $350,000 or less.
• The Senate’s plan adds an inflation-based adjustment factor to property tax growth, allowing between 2-5% growth each year based on some other factors. It also freezes taxes on properties owned outright (that is, no mortgage).

You’ll hear more about these plans in future posts, but it’s safe to say that local governments are not thrilled by any of the plans they’ve heard to date.

Bills, Bills, Bills: The first four days of session saw the introduction of 296 new bills, including a bill that changes the constitution to limit the number of bills filed by each legislator annually (no more than ten). The bill tracker is updated daily with new bills and status has real-item updates. Here are a few to note:

• HF2068 allows political parties to publish notice of political party precinct caucuses via official party social media accounts as an alternative to newspaper publication. Some groups are asking this to be amended to include posting on an official website, as many older Iowans do not use social media.
• HF2073 requires ballots to include the party affiliation after the name of each candidate for an office with the authority to propose, approve, levy, or vote for a tax (not just those running for a “partisan” office). This means nonpartisan city council candidates will now have their party affiliation next to their name.
• SSB3026 allows bond elections to be held at the same time as a June primary election (in addition to the November general election).
• SSB3039 requires disclosure when “synthetic media” is used in campaign materials (AI generated or digitally manipulated images/audio/video that create false but realistic depictions).
• SJR2002 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit Iowa courts from exercising judicial review over laws passed by the General Assembly, with a narrow exception for apportionment plans.
• SSB 3009 eliminates townships as a form of government in Iowa (transferring duties to county supervisors).
• HF2007 establishes a rural emergency response enhancement program to enhance emergency response capacity in rural areas through EMT training grants for small rural police and volunteer fire departments.
• SF2057 creates a fundamental right to contraception in Iowa law.
• HF2041 requires all state and local law enforcement officers/agencies to cooperate with ICE.

Again, there are a lot of bills and a lot of issues that we track for LWVIA, so check the bill tracker for a complete list.

Action Alert: A bill to require parental consent for STD vaccinations has been voted out of a House subcommittee this week. SF 304, which passed the Senate on a party line vote in 2025, is now ready for a vote in the full House Health & Human Services Committee. Since the committee chair was a “yes” vote in subcommittee, it is likely to pass if brought up. LWVIA opposes this bill.

This bill would no longer allow a minor to consent to HPV (cancer preventing) vaccines, as well as other STD-preventing vaccines. While parents consent most of the time, advocates were concerned about the few who disagree with their parents’ opposition to the vaccine or come from unsafe homes. If you want to take action on this bill – contact the members of the House HHS Committee and ask your own Representative to lobby their colleagues on the committee for you.

Iowa lawmakers are starting week three at the Iowa Capitol today, but the week will be dedicated to passing a moratorium on new casinos (HSB 80/SF 76). A House subcommittee and committee will be meeting today to make the change ahead of the February 6 Racing & Gaming Commission’s decision on awarding a new license to Cedar Rapids. Look for caucuses and floor debates – and of course lots of subcommittee meetings, including a few key ones for LWVIA:

• HF 88 (Monday @ 11:30 am) is an education omnibus that strikes the requirement home schooling parents or privately educated students not in an accredited school setting show proof of immunization and scales back reports that such instruction must supply to the state to demonstrate curricula. It also strikes the caps on the number of students who can be in such programs before needing accreditation, and prevents college discrimination against its graduates. The bill also prohibits a teacher from using gender-neutral language in high school World Language classes if the language uses a grammatical gender system (in other words, teachers can’t make up gender-neutral terms and must stick to the language being taught, which teachers say is of course what they do). To top it off, the bill doubles the tuition tax credit for private instruction. LWVIA is watching this bill.
• HSB 47 (Tuesday @ Noon) is supported by schools, educators, and children’s groups to improve school safety by requiring multidisciplinary threat assessment teams and allowing disparate agencies to share information. Identified students in distress are to be flagged for services and other appropriate interventions. LWVIA supports.
• HF 26 (Tuesday @ 12:30) requires employers to treat adoptive parents the same as birthing parents when it comes to maternity leave. LWVIA supports.
• HSB 37 (Wednesday @ 12:30) requires all Iowa-issued driver’s licenses and IDs include citizenship status on them, which while not explicitly stated in the bill, would require proof of citizenship when getting an ID. LWVIA is keeping an eye this bill right now to see if it advances. Another bill (HF 99) was introduced that would require this for voter registration, which LWVIA opposes.
• HSB 53 (Wednesday @ 4 pm) is the so-called “Freedom from Indoctrination Act,” which LWVIA opposes as a threat to intellectual freedom. It goes further into dismantling anything that may be considered DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) in academic coursework, subject studies, and administration within the Regents universities. The new House Higher Education Committee is also reviewing a “Syllabus Transparency Act” (HF 55) that is going after the same issues. Oddly, the same people proposing these have introduced HSB 52, which establishes a School of Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa (but is clearly going after “woke” education).

There is so much more I could talk about – but best to refer you to the League of Women Voters of Iowa Bill Tracker! Check back here frequently – our updates will get more focused as the session moves along. Remember you can watch all House committees and subcommittees, you can watch Senate committees, and you can remotely participate in Senate subcommittees! Schedule is updated frequently here.

Iowa’s lawmakers are back in action – the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session begins today! Watch this blog for updates throughout the session. Few reminders:

• You can see committee assignments here.
• You can see legislator contact information here.
• Daily and weekly schedules, as well as links to watch debate can be found here.

Some key dates to remember:

• January 13 (Governor’s Condition of the State – 6:00 pm – broadcast on public television)
• January 14 @ 10 am (Chief Justice of Iowa Supreme Court “Condition of Judiciary” – watch here)
• February 14 (deadline for requests for individually sponsored bills)
• March 7 (first funnel deadline – bills out of originating committee to stay alive)
• April 4 (second funnel deadline – bills out of committee in opposite chamber)
• May 2 (“final day” of 110-day session, per diems run out but can work beyond date without pay)

Stay tuned here for updates throughout session!

Rep. Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House, announced his line-up of committee chairs and vice chairs for the 2025 legislative session.

“In response to our agenda to introduce sound budgeting principles, reduce burdensome red tape, innovate new ways to grow a strong workforce, cut taxes, and keep our common sense on social issues, Iowans have once again grown our majority,” Grassley said. “We continue to represent all 99 of Iowa’s 99 counties and with this expansive representation, we can hear from Iowans and stay in touch with their priorities better than ever before.  This group of House Republicans is ready to get to work for the people of Iowa.”

Committee leadership is as follows:

Standing Committees:

Administrative Rules Review
Rep. Chad Ingels (R-Randalia) – Chair

Agriculture
Rep. Mike Sexton (R-Rockwell City) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Chad Behn (R-Boone) – Vice Chair

Appropriations
Rep. Gary Mohr (R-Bettendorf) – Chair
Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R-Urbandale) – Vice Chair

Commerce
Rep. Shannon Lundgren (R-Peosta) – Chair
Rep.-Elect David Blom (R-Marshalltown) – Vice Chair

Economic Growth and Technology
Rep. Ray Sorensen (R-Greenfield) – Chair
Rep. Devon Wood (R-New Market) – Vice Chair

Education
Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R-Hull) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Samantha Fett (R-Carlisle) – Vice Chair

Environmental Protection
Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour) – Chair
Rep. Tom Gerhold (R-Atkins) – Vice Chair

Ethics
Rep. Bill Gustoff (R-Des Moines) – Chair
Rep. Craig Johnson (R-Independence) – Vice Chair

Government Oversight
Rep. Charley Thomson (R-Charles City) – Chair
Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Birmingham) – Vice Chair

Health and Human Services
Rep. Carter Nordman (R-Panora) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Brett Barker (R-Nevada) – Vice Chair

Higher Education
*This is a new committee
Rep. Taylor Collins (R-Mediapolis) – Chair
Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Birmingham) – Vice Chair

International Relations
Rep. Eddie Andrews (R-Johnston) – Chair

Judiciary
Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Judd Lawler (R-Oxford) – Vice Chair

Labor
Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla (R-Pella) – Chair
Rep. Josh Meggers (R-Grundy Center) – Vice Chair

Local Government
Rep. Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Craig Williams (R-Manning) – Vice Chair

Natural Resources
Rep. Derek Wulf (R-Hudson) – Chair
Rep. Cindy Golding (R-Palo) – Vice Chair

Public Safety
Rep. Mike Vondran (R-Davenport) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Sam Wengryn (R-Pleasanton) – Vice Chair

State Government
Rep. Jane Bloomingdale (R-Northwood) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Jennifer Smith (R-Dubuque) – Vice Chair

Transportation
Rep. David Young (R-Van Meter) – Chair
Rep. Tom Determann (R-Clinton) – Vice Chair

Veterans Affairs
Rep. Brooke Boden (R-Indianola) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Jason Gearhart (R-Strawberry Point) – Vice Chair

Ways & Means
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Christian Hermanson (R-Mason City) – Vice Chair

Appropriations Subcommittees:

Administration and Regulation Appropriations
Rep. Michael Bergan (R-Dorchester) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Travis Sitzmann (R-Le Mars) – Vice Chair

Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations
Rep. Norlin Mommsen (R-DeWitt) – Chair
Rep. Helena Hayes (R-New Sharon) – Vice Chair

Economic Development Appropriations
Rep. Shannon Latham (R-Sheffield) – Chair
Rep.-Elect Ryan Weldon (R-Ankeny) – Vice Chair

Education Appropriations
Rep. Austin Harris (R-Moulton) – Chair
Rep. Bob Henderson (R-Sioux City) – Vice Chair

Federal and Other Funds
*This is a new committee
Rep. Martin Graber (R-Fort Madison)
Rep. David Sieck (R-Glenwood)

Health and Human Services Appropriations
Rep. Ann Meyer (Fort Dodge) – Chair
Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold) – Vice Chair

Justice Systems Appropriations
Rep. Brian Lohse (R-Bondurant) – Chair
Rep. Mark Thompson (R-Clarion) – Vice Chair

Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations
Rep. Jacob Bossman (R-Sioux City) – Chair
Rep. Steven Bradley (R-Cascade) – Vice Chair

Senate Republicans have not yet released their committee leaders, and Democrats in both chambers have yet to release their ranking members. Full committee assignments will be announced at a later date.  The 91st General Assembly begins Monday, January 13, 2025.