Week nine of the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session featured a balance of floor debate, subcommittees, and committee meetings in both chambers. Because the second funnel deadline is this Friday, March 20, policy bills must move through committee in the opposite chamber to remain eligible for passage.
Several high-profile health care bills moved through the legislative process last week. HF 571 passed the House and would allow a medical professional or health care institution to refuse to perform non-emergent medical services for reasons of conscience. Also on the health care front, HF 2716 reforms public assistance programs under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Two major provisions of the bill (1) revise Medicaid eligibility and increase the income threshold from 250% to 300% of the federal poverty level and (2) implement a 12-month residency requirement and verification for certain public assistance programs and restrict WIC participation to citizens and qualified aliens.
SF 2464 and HF 2739 change the current tax on health maintenance organizations (HMOs) premiums, replacing it with a tax on HMO taxable funds. The bill also enables a one-time transfer of $296,000,000 from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to the General Fund and provides a supplemental appropriation of $70,300,000 to HHS for Medicaid. Notably, the House scheduled a last-minute Ways and Means Committee meeting to discuss the bill on Thursday afternoon after floor debate. Movement on these bills coincides with the beginning of budget season and seeks to fund Medicaid amid increasing medical costs and a state budget shortfall.
Also of note, the Senate version of the property tax bill (SF 2472) passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee with an amendment. Senator Dan Dawson, chair of the committee, expressed that this is not the final version of the bill, and continues the goal of completely reforming how property taxes in Iowa are calculated.
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Latest Bill Action(s) |
| HF 571 | A bill for an act relating to protections for medical practitioners, health care institutions, and health care payors including those related to the exercise of conscience, whistleblower activities, and free speech, and providing penalties. (Formerly HSB 139.) | Passed Senate as amended (30-16); Returns to the House. |
| HF 2716 | A bill for an act relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program; the medical assistance program; the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children; and other public assistance programs under the purview of the department of health and human services. (Formerly HSB 696.) | Passed House as amended (62-30); Referred to Senate Health and Human Services and assigned a Senate subcommittee. |
| SF 2464 | A bill for an act relating to state finances by modifying the taxes imposed on health maintenance organizations, making transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, making and supplementing appropriations to the department of health and human services, and including effective date, contingent effective date, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3182.) | Passed out of Senate Ways and Means Committee. |
| HF 2739 | A bill for an act relating to state finances by modifying the taxes imposed on health maintenance organizations, making transfers from the taxpayer relief fund, making and supplementing appropriations to the department of health and human services, and including effective date, contingent effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. | Passed out of Senate Ways and Means Committee. |
| SF 2472 | A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, fees, financial authority, and budgets, modifying divisions of revenue, modifying appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. | Amended and passed out of Senate Ways and Means Committee. |
March Revenue Estimating Conference
The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met on Thursday, March 12, to report the state’s revenue for the FY26 budget year, to set revenue projections thresholds for FY27, and to set up the projections for FY28. The REC estimated a decrease of 9.3% in revenues, which was largely expected due to income tax cuts at the state and federal level. Iowa ended FY25 with an ending balance of $1.9 billion with $5.6 billion in cash on hand, full reserve funds, and $4 billion in the taxpayer relief fund. State revenues have decreased from $9.75 billion in FY24 to a projected $8.11 billion for FY26.
The conference reiterated the state’s strong financial position yet noted there are macroeconomic uncertainties impacting the estimates, including ongoing conflict in the Middle East, tariffs, and general affordability concerns. This being the case, the projections for FY27 and FY28 are cautiously optimistic, setting projections at 4.4% and 2.9% increases in state revenues, respectively. The REC members stated their projections balance the state’s economic growth with uncertainty at the national and international levels.
After the meeting adjourned, Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh issued a statement to express that “[t]today’s meeting regarding the fiscal outlook for our state shows Iowa is resilient against economic pressures…. Senate Republicans will continue focusing on responsible, sustainable budgeting and look forward to again compiling a conservative, sustainable budget in the upcoming weeks that puts the taxpayer first.”
Governor Reynolds echoed this sentiment in a release distributed shortly after the meeting adjourned, stating that “Iowa remains in a strong financial position as historic state and federal tax cuts have gone into effect… As we plan for Fiscal Year 2027, my administration will continue to work to keep spending in check and lower the property tax burden on Iowans.”
Because the budget shortfall is one of the defining issues of the 2026 legislative session, the March REC information will guide conversations about the FY27 budget. As such, more substantive conversations surrounding state budgets will happen behind the scenes, and each chamber will release their budgets in the coming weeks.
Bills Signed by Governor Reynolds
Governor Reynolds has signed two bills into law in 2026. The first, SF 2201 makes supplemental state aid (SSA) available for school districts ahead of putting together budgets for the next fiscal year. This legislation provides school districts with advance notice for budget preparation and certification and sets additional funding to account for annual inflationary increases and increases the SSA amount by 2% for FY27.
Last week, SF 579 was signed by Governor Reynolds, placing restrictions on localities’ ability to broaden civil rights protections beyond those laid out in the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965. This bill is a follow-up to SF 418 from last year, which stripped gender identity as a protected class. SF 579 was introduced in 2025 and was amended on the floor in the House to prohibit cities or local governments from enacting any ordinance or law with broader protections or different categories than those outlined in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The amended bill passed the House 60-26, and the Senate concurred with the House amendment, passing the bill onto the Governor by a vote of 29-16. The bill took effect immediately upon enactment.
Additional Enrolled Bills
Enrolled bills have been passed by both chambers and are only awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law.
| Bill Number | Bill Title |
| HF 2215 | A bill for an act relating to natural resources, including office locations of the director of natural resources, state park user fee pilot programs, the delegation of powers and duties concerning state preserves, and age requirements for hunting deer with pistols or revolvers. (Formerly HSB 553.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2231 | A bill for an act establishing a seal of civics excellence program administered by the department of education to recognize student excellence in civics. (Formerly HSB 558.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2349 | A bill for an act relating to the final disposition of human remains. (Formerly HSB 568.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2497 | A bill for an act relating to peer-to-peer car sharing programs. (Formerly HSB 602.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2506 | A bill for an act relating to prizes awarded by licensed qualified organizations. (Formerly HSB 645.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2558 | A bill for an act relating to the definition of public improvement for purposes of public construction bidding. (Formerly HSB 592.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2610 | A bill for an act relating to education programs and systems, including career and technical education expenditures and definitions, statewide lower division general education framework and common course numbering systems, and the implementation of a statewide corequisite model in Iowa community colleges. (Formerly HSB 675.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| HF 2635 | A bill for an act relating to health carriers standards of conduct; utilization review organizations, artificial intelligence, audits, and prior authorizations; certificate of need processes; and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2438.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 413 | A bill for an act relating to requirements for, and regular meetings of, the board of directors of a state bank, and electronic activities of a state bank. (Formerly SSB 1070.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 490 | A bill for an act relating to the maximum power output for low-speed electric bicycles and pedestrian conveyances powered by an electric motor. (Formerly SF 375.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2096 | A bill for an act relating to foster parent training requirements for the licensure of individual child foster care providers. (Formerly SSB 3016.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2190 | A bill for an act relating to the use of the title’s physician assistant and physician associate. (Formerly SSB 3059.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2198 | A bill for an act relating to the authority of an attorney in fact under a durable power of attorney for health care. (Formerly SSB 3020.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2214 | A bill for an act relating to the installation of transmission lines on highway rights-of-way. (Formerly SSB 3063.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2340 | A bill for an act relating to the authority of counties and cities to regulate the installation or use of battery-charged security alarm systems on non-residential properties. (Formerly SSB 3112.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2369 | A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units. (Formerly SSB 3070.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
| SF 2416 | A bill for an act relating to interviews conducted with a child subsequent to a report of child abuse. (Formerly SSB 3167.) Effective date: 07/01/2026 |
2026 Retirement and Movement Election Tracker
The deadline for filing for federal and state office was March 13, 2026 (5:00 p.m.), and several elected officials announced their intentions to retire to make way for a slate of new candidates. State offices up for election include the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture, Attorney General, State Senator (odd-numbered districts 1-49), and State Representative (districts 1-100).
The list below includes current elected officials who have issued announcements stating they will not seek re-election for their current position in 2026 and notes about individuals running for different elected offices.
| Office | Name | Party | Notes |
| U.S. Senate | Joni Ernst | R | |
| U.S. House District 2 | Ashley Hinson* | R | Running for U.S. Senate |
| U.S. House District 4 | Randy Feenstra* | R | Running for Governor |
| Governor | Kim Reynolds | R | |
| Lieutenant Governor | Chris Cournoyer* | R | Running for Auditor |
| Auditor | Rob Sand* | D | Running for Governor |
| House District 1 | J.D. Scholten | D | |
| House District 3 | Thomas Jeneary | R | |
| House District 5 | Zach Dieken | R | |
| House District 15 | Matt Windschitl | R | |
| House District 20 | Josh Turek* | D | Running for U.S. Senate |
| House District 32 | Jennifer Konfrst | D | |
| House District 33 | Ruth Ann Gaines | D | |
| House District 38 | Jon Dunwell | R | |
| House District 39 | Rick Olson | R | |
| House District 42 | Heather Matson* | D | Running for State Senate |
| House District 37 | Barb Kniff McCulla* | R | Running for State Senate |
| House District 43 | Eddie Andrews* | R | Running for Governor |
| House District 55 | Shannon Latham | R | |
| House District 61 | Timi Brown-Powers* | D | Running for State Senate |
| House District 71 | Lindsay James* | D | Running for U.S. House |
| House District 75 | Bob Kressig | D | |
| House District 98 | Monica Kurth | D | |
| Senate District 9 | Tom Shipley | R | |
| Senate District 11 | Julian Garrett | R | |
| Senate District 14 | Sarah Trone Garriott* | D | Running for U.S. House |
| Senate District 17 | Izaah Knox* | D | Running for County Supervisor |
| Senate District 19 | Ken Rozenboom | R | |
| Senate District 21 | Mike Bousselot* | R | Running in Different District |
| Senate District 23 | Jack Whitver | R | |
| Senate District 31 | William Dotzler | D | |
| Senate District 43 | Zach Wahls* | D | Running for U.S. Senate |
*Running for a different elected position
What’s next?
This week, the chambers are expected to engage in minimal floor debate, if any at all. Attention will instead be on passing bills through subcommittee and committee to push them through the second funnel on March 20.
With the release of the March REC projections, there will be more conversations between leadership about setting budget targets and draft budgets, which should be released in the coming weeks.
