Last week at the Iowa State Capitol, legislators spent much of their time in caucus and on the floor debating bills. Legislators are halfway between the first and the second funnel deadline, which is set for Friday, March 20, 2026, and have two more weeks to pass policy bills through committee in the opposite chamber of origination to remain eligible for consideration.
Subcommittees scheduled on both sides of the rotunda will ensure that bills continue to move through the legislative process. The chambers will continue to engage in floor debate in addition to holding subcommittees on bills from the other chamber. In week eight, the Senate had floor debate and several full committee meetings scheduled, while the House has only floor debate and budget subcommittees on the calendar.
Iowa Senate Property Tax Subcommittee
Iowa property taxes are among the top issues that legislative leaders pledged to address in 2026. On March 3, the Senate held a five-person subcommittee on SSB 3001, the Senate’s version of the proposed property tax bill. The subcommittee meeting was scheduled for an hour and a half to give the public an opportunity to express their feedback on the bill. At the meeting, representatives from local governments, taxpayer groups, and industry stakeholders provided their feedback and proposals for property tax reform.
This was the second subcommittee the Senate held on comprehensive property tax reform after the subcommittee held one on the Governor’s version of the bill at the end of February. The House held its subcommittees on their bill and the Governor’s bill at the end of January.
The Senate version includes investments into road and bridge construction and maintenance, an expanded homestead exemption, and a property tax exemption for Iowans over 60 years old who own their own home.
At the end of the subcommittee, the Chair, Senator Dan Dawson, stated that this bill is not a relief bill, but rather an overhaul of the broken property tax system in Iowa. The bill passed out of the subcommittee with a recommendation to amend the bill in the full Ways and Means Committee.
“Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Bill Passes Iowa House
HF 2676, also known as Governor Reynold’s “MAHA” bill, passed the Iowa House by a vote of 65-30. This legislation includes wide-ranging education, health, and nutrition reform. Specific provisions include requiring Iowa schools to include 40 hours of nutrition and metabolic health education for graduation and prohibiting schools from serving or selling certain foods with artificial dyes and additives during the school day.
Additionally, the bill would direct schools to limit technology usage in early grades, implement daily physical education, and require students to participate in at least one extracurricular or cocurricular activity to graduate.
Outside of education, HF 2676 would require the state to seek federal approval to restrict certain SNAP-eligible foods deemed unhealthy, allow pharmacists to dispense over-the-counter ivermectin, and require certain physicians and physician assistants to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health.
HF 2676 was attached to SF 2367, and amendment S-5062, and the bill itself, must pass the Senate before heading to the Governor’s desk for signature.
Iowa Soldiers Killed in Iran
Iowa’s Major Jeffery O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa, and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, serving with the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were among the six American soldiers killed in action on March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags to fly at half-staff in honor and remembrance of the soldiers.
In the release announcing the flag order, Governor Reynolds stated, “Our hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace. On behalf of a grateful state, Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences for their families, and we ask all Iowans to stand united in support of our fallen soldiers and those who loved them.”
Iowa politicians and leaders planned to attend the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday.
What’s next?
Legislators have two weeks until the second funnel deadline; the House and Senate will continue moving bills on the floor and in committees. By Friday, March 20, most policy bills must have passed through committee in the opposite chamber of origination to remain eligible for consideration.
Additionally, the Revenue Estimating Conference will meet on Thursday, March 12, to discuss revenue estimates for the state and the fiscal status of Iowa. These numbers will assist the Legislature and the Governor with draft budgets. Legislative budgets and the Governor’s revised budget, if needed, are expected to be officially released in the coming weeks.
Bills related to budget and taxation are not subject to the funnel deadline, so there is no firm deadline for when these bills will be introduced and debated; however, the chambers must agree on a budget before adjourning for 2026.
