The full 2025 Session Timetable can be found here.
Last week marked the scheduled 110th day of the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session, the last scheduled day. Legislators must now work to pass an annual budget, but disagreements between the chambers on major policy items as well as specific budget items, and a new pledge regarding eminent domain may challenge appropriations efforts. Legislators will continue to work under the golden dome without receiving their per diem payments and without clerks, providing an incentive to finish business. While the primary focus may be appropriations, it is likely bills impacting property taxes, pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), energy, and eminent domain may still be addressed in some way, shape, or form.
Last week, the House did not engage in any floor debate, while the Senate passed 22 bills, sending eight to the House and 14 to the Governor.
Budget Updates
Before adjournment, the legislature must approve the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. At the start of Week 16, the Governor and the Iowa State Senate released joint budget targets, compromising an overall budget of $9.417 billion for FY 26. The House released its budget documents shortly after, totaling $9.453 billion. The targets are as follows:
| Fiscal Year 2026 | ||
| Budget | Senate | House |
| Administration and Regulation | $73,461,809 | $74,525,590 |
| Agriculture and Natural Resources | $45,574,050 | $47,305,670 |
| Economic Development | $40,187,127 | $40,637,127 |
| Education | $1,026,386,031 | $1,042,264,716 |
| Health and Human Services | $2,468,992,645 | $2,468,514,264 |
| Justice System | $925,925,531 | $928,933,800 |
| Unassigned Standings | $4,836,758,719 | $4,851,312,672 |
| $9,417,285,912 | $9,453,493,839 |
While the targets appear to be similar, bill introductions revealed the actual allocation of dollars varies between the chamber’s legislation. Many of these budget bills moved through subcommittees and the full Appropriations committees in their respective chambers.
| Bill | Category | Senate Action | House Action |
| SSB 1235 | Administration & Regulation | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 In Senate committee 4/30 | |
| HSB 341 | In House subcommittee 4/30 | ||
| SF 646 | Agriculture & Natural Resources | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 PASSED Senate committee 4/30 In Senate 5/1 | |
| HSB 338 | In House subcommittee 4/30 | ||
| SF 645 | Economic Development | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 PASSED Senate committee 4/30 In Senate 4/30 | |
| HSB 336 | PASSED House subcommittee 4/30 PASSED House committee 5/1 | ||
| SSB 1231 | Education | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 In Senate committee 4/30 | |
| HSB 337 | PASSED House subcommittee 4/30 In House committee 4/30 | ||
| SF 626 | Federal Block Grants | PASSED Senate 4/21 | PASSED House subcommittee 4/30 AMENDED & PASSED House committee 5/1 |
| SSB 1237 | Health & Human Services | In Senate subcommittee 4/29 | |
| HSB 342 | In House subcommittee 4/30 | ||
| SSB 1233 | Judicial Branch | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 In Senate committee 4/30 | |
| HSB 340 | In House subcommittee 4/30 | ||
| SF 644 | Justice Systems | PASSED Senate subcommittee 4/29 PASSED Senate committee 4/30 In Senate 4/30 | |
| HSB 339 | In House subcommittee 4/30 | ||
| HSB 344 | Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) | PASSED House subcommittee 4/30 PASSED House committee 5/1 | |
| HSB 335 | Standings | In House subcommittee 4/29 | |
| SF 628 | Transportation, Infrastructure & Capitals | PASSED Senate 4/23 | PASSED House subcommittee 4/30 PASSED House committee 5/1 |
To reach a compromised budget, we anticipate significant debate lies ahead, and there is no clear end in sight.
Carbon Capture Pipeline Pledge
One of the most controversial topics in the Iowa legislature has been bills related to proposed carbon capture pipelines which would be constructed between ethanol plants in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and North Dakota where carbon dioxide would be sequestered underground. Controversially the pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions has sought permission to use eminent domain to secure the land needed for their pipeline.
Since 2022 the Iowa House has passed measures aimed at protecting landowners along the pipeline’s proposed route, but those measures have so far failed to pass in the Iowa Senate. In a major move, 12 GOP Senators pledged on Wednesday night to refuse to vote for any budget bill unless HF 639, and Senator Alon’s pro-landowner amendment, was also voted on. Those 12 GOP Senators, with the 16 Democrat Senators, now have enough votes to completely block a budget vote.
This major move now creates another hurdle to clear before the adjournment of the session. Speaking to the Des Moines Register, House Speaker Pat Grassley stated, “My expectation would be that that issue of eminent domain and protecting private property rights probably is revisited again before we leave session.”
Property Tax Update
Last week, discussions surrounding property taxes continued. In Week 13, Representative Bobby Kaufmann and Senator Dan Dawson, the chairs of the Ways and Means Committees in their respective chambers, introduced HSB 328 and SSB 1227. These second renditions of the Property Tax Plan made significant changes to the original legislation, and some of its most significant provisions include:
- Phasing out the current rollback system over one year
- Providing a $50,000 homestead exemption
- Providing enhanced Consolidated General Fund Levy (CGFL) budget guarantees for a Consumer Price Index (CPI) over 4%
- Imposing a 2% revenue restriction on cities, excluding new growth
- Creating an interim committee to examine the impacts of this legislation, allowing modifications to be made in January 2026
As we head into overtime, the Chairs remain committed to utilizing the extra time on the clock to get something done on property taxes. At this time, we expect that the Senate Property Tax bill (SSB1227) will receive a subcommittee next week. Major changes that we anticipate will be included in an amendment:
- Changes to the rollback implementation
- Residential & Multi-Residential multi-year phase in
- 77.5% valuation in year one
- 2.5% increase to 100% over the next 10 years
- Commercial 100% in year one
- Residential & Multi-Residential multi-year phase in
- Homestead Exemption
- Reviewing the amount of the Homestead Exemption (TBD)
- 25% of home value capped at the first $100,000 valuation of the home
- Multi-Residential does not get the Homestead Exemption
- Potential changes to the capped levies and language related to new growth
It is unknown if any of the above will make it into a final property tax package that can be approved by both chambers or if there will be any substantial legislation on property tax at all this legislative session. Much of this will depend on how much time is left on the clock as well as where things stand in negotiations on budgets and the other outstanding policy items that remain on the table.
Special Election Update
Iowa House District 78 in southeast Cedar Rapids held a special election this week following the resignation of former Representative Sami Scheetz. Democratic Angelina Ramirez won the seat with 79% of the vote to Republican candidate Bernie Hayes. Ramirez will be the first Latina elected to the Iowa State Legislature.
2026 Governor Candidate Watch
On the statewide front, there is much speculation over who will or will not run for Governor. This week, three potential contenders indicated they will not run for Governor.
Representative Ashley Hinson published a social media post stating she “decided to stay focused on my mission in Washington, working with President Trump to Make America Great Again.”
Representative Zach Nunn also formally ruled out a run for Governor in 2026, claiming his work in Congress is not done yet.
Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer filed paperwork to allow her to begin raising money for a campaign for State Auditor, a position currently held by Democrat Rob Sand.
Currently, the two Republicans to take formal action to run for Governor are former State Representative Brad Sherman and State Senator Mike Bousselot. Sherman has been running for Governor since 2024 and recently secured the endorsement of several more conservative members of the Iowa Legislature. Bousselot formed an exploratory committee last week for a campaign for Governor but has not yet announced a full campaign. Representative Randy Feenstra, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Attorney General Brenna Bird, Representative Bobby Kaufmann, and House Speaker Pat Grassley are among the other names being thrown around for a potential gubernatorial bid who have not formally declared one way or the other.
Bills Signed by Governor Reynolds
Last week, Governor Reynolds signed several more bills into law, including a school cell phone ban. The most recent signed bills are listed below.
| Bill | Bill Title | Date Signed ▴ |
| HF 118 | A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the National Guard Service scholarship program. (Formerly HSB 4.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/02/25 |
| HF 117 | A bill for an act establishing the National Guard Service Professional Qualification scholarship program. (Formerly HSB 3.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/02/25 |
| SF 275 | A bill for an act requiring the director of the Department of Education to develop and administer a purple star school initiative. (Formerly SSB 1067.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/02/25 |
| HF 919 | A bill for an act relating to children’s specialty hospital designations for certain nonprofit organizations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 268.) Effective date: 05/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 887 | A bill for an act removing birth centers from the meaning of institutional health facility. (Formerly HF 277.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 879 | A bill for an act relating to critical infrastructure sabotage, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly HSB 206.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 805 | A bill for an act relating to the practice of dental assistants without registration by the dental board. (Formerly HF 340.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 778 | A bill for an act relating to qualifications for a certificate as a certified public accountant and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 177.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 645 | A bill for an act relating to nuisance actions against racing facilities and racetracks. (Formerly HF 230.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| SF 592 | A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units. (Formerly SSB 1182.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| SF 470 | A bill for an act relating to prior authorization for dental care services, notice to dental care providers that a dental care service plan is state-regulated, and the recovery of overpayments by a dental carrier. (Formerly SSB 1146.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. | 05/01/25 |
| HF 782 | A bill for an act relating to electronic devices in schools, including student access during instructional hours and school safety plans, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 106.) Effective date: 04/30/2025. | 04/30/25 |
What’s next?
It is unclear what the path forward is for legislators beyond the 110th day of session. Both the House and Senate will continue to work through their budget bills, and they will need to work across chambers to agree upon final numbers. Additionally, it appears policy debate is ongoing as it relates to property taxes, PBM reform, energy, and eminent domain.
With the arrival of May, we will begin to lose elected officials to their regularly scheduled lives and farmers to their fields. The days to legislate become numbered. Leaders will have to thread the needle on final negotiations as well as schedules to ensure they have majorities to move final pieces of legislation and budgets.
