Legislative Update

On Wednesday, May 13, the Iowa House Republicans issued a press release, stating the intention of the legislature to resume the 2020 legislative session at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3. The Legislative Council will formalize this new start date on their teleconference call on May 14. The Capitol building will reopen to the public on Monday, May 18 with limited hours.

Executive Branch Update

This week, the Governor issued her twelfth State of Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration. It provides additional measures for reopening of businesses statewide. A summary is here.

Specifically, the proclamation permits salons, barbershops, and massage therapy and tattoo establishments to reopen throughout Iowa in a limited fashion; it also permits restaurants, fitness centers, libraries, and racetracks to reopen in the 22 counties where they remained closed. These reopenings are effective at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15.

Closures for bars, theaters, casinos and gaming facilities, senior citizen centers/adult daycare facilities, amusements, museums, aquariums, zoos, skating rinks/skate parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, and door-to-door sales remain in effect until May 27 at 11:59 p.m. 

Additionally, the regulatory relief that was provided in previous Public Health Disaster Emergency Declarations remain in place until May 27 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended by the Governor.