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,...more
Week seven of the legislative session marked the first chamber actions after the first funnel. The House and the Senate shifted their focus to floor debate to continue to move bills through the legislative process....more
Week six of the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session marked the first major milestone of the 2026 legislative session: the first funnel. By Friday, February 20, most bills that were introduced in either chamber must be voted out of...more
The Iowa Legislature is once again on track to set records in 2026. Current bill introductions match the pace of last year’s record-breaking number of bill introductions, and the current subcommittee count is just shy of...more
Despite the shortened week, legislators wasted no time getting back to work ahead in week four of the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session. Most legislators spent Monday in their home districts at party caucuses and headed to Des...more
It was another busy week under the golden dome as legislators got to work in week three of the 2026 Legislative Session. While last Tuesday afternoon was quiet at the Capitol due to President Donald Trump visiting Iowa,...more
The 91st General Assembly reconvened at the Capitol on Tuesday for a shortened week due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. After over 300 bill introductions in week one, the pace of the legislature was slightly slower in...more
The 91st General Assembly gaveled in on Monday to start the 2026 Iowa legislative session. The first week included speeches from party leaders, Governor Reynolds, Chief Justice Christensen, and Adjutant General Osborn, along...more
The first day featured leadership speeches and procedural business. Speeches from Iowa governmental leaders will continue, and major highlights and takeaways will be published in our legislative update at the end of the week....more
The second session of the 91st General Assembly is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12. This legislative session is slated for 100 days, as required by Iowa statute, as it is an even-numbered year....more
As Iowa closes out 2025, a wave of political, budgetary, and administrative developments is setting the stage for a consequential 2026 legislative session. From upcoming special elections and new committee leadership to the...more
Big changes are happening in Iowa’s state leadership. Senator Mike Klimesh was elected Senate Majority Leader following Senator Jack Whitver’s retirement, Governor Reynolds announced new appointments in key departments, and...more
With ample time to recover from the 2025 legislative session, elected officials are getting back to work in the interim. Major updates include a new Iowa House Majority Leader, staff changes in the Office of the Governor, the...more
The 2025 Legislative Session adjourned on May 15, and over the next 30 days, the Governor took final action on bills, concluding her work on June 11. Now the majority of new laws take effect today, July 1, 2025....more
The first session of the 91st General Assembly of Iowa adjourned sine die just after 6 a.m. on May 15 after a full night of caucuses and debate. Slated for 110 days, the legislature extended 13 days beyond May 2 after...more
Last week was the first week beyond the scheduled 110th day of the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session, and legislators made significant strides toward adjournment. On Thursday, the chambers released a joint budget agreement; with...more
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...more
It was a quieter week at the Iowa State Capitol as we reach the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session. As the first year of a general assembly, session is scheduled for 110 days, and this year, that day falls on...more
Last week, the energy changed under the golden dome as legislators gave the first indications they are moving towards ending this year’s legislative session. While ultimately not taken up by either chamber this week, Pharmacy...more
Governor Reynolds not seeking reelection -
In a video published on Friday, April 11, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026. In the post, Governor Reynolds cited her desire to be with...more
Week 12 of the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session featured the final major deadline before legislators’ per diem runs out on the 110th day of session: the second funnel. To survive this deadline, bills must have passed through a...more
Legislators continued to work hard in Week 11 of the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session as the second funnel deadline rapidly approaches. This week featured long caucus meetings followed by floor debate, and the long-awaited...more
This week marks the halfway point between the first and second funnels of the 2025 Iowa Legislative session. Both the House and Senate advanced legislation ahead of that second funnel deadline, including several controversial...more
The Iowa Legislature returned after the first funnel deadline in Week 8 and the pace shifted as the Iowa House and Senate spent more time on floor debate and attention shifted to Ways and Means and Appropriations bills and...more
Friday, March 7 marked the first funnel deadline for the 2025 Iowa legislative session. By midnight, policy bills had to be passed by a committee in its originating chamber to remain eligible for consideration this year....more