February 27, 2026

You Need to Know

Now that the first funnel is behind us, the Legislature has shifted its focus to floor debate – passing bills out of their originating chambers and sending them across the rotunda for further consideration. Attention is also turning to the “money bills” that will shape how the state raises and allocates resources, including the various property tax proposals. The Senate held a subcommittee this week on the Governor’s plan and is expected to take up the Senate’s own proposal next week.

One final quick plug for the League’s Local Leaders Day on March 4 – see below for registration details. We’ll cover which bills remain alive, where the property tax conversation stands, how data is helping tell the story of the economic value of Iowa’s cities, and practical tips for engaging constructively with your legislators. We hope to see you in Des Moines!

League Priority Legislation

Both bills on sidewalk liability – HF 2359 & SF 2146 – are eligible for floor debate in both chambers. The League continues to work to ensure they are passed prior to the 2nd funnel deadline the week of March 16.
Digital Public Notices – Division II of SF 2434 – is eligible for floor debate in the Senate. The League is working to amend or remove Division I of the bill.
The Taxpayer Notice Form remains one of the universally appreciated portions of the House property tax bill. The league Government Affairs team is advocating for its inclusion in any combined property tax bill that is negotiated between the Senate, House, and Governor’s office.
The Senate Ways & Means subcommittee advanced the Governor’s property tax proposal SSB 3034 this Wednesday with an amendment designation – a procedural move expected as conversations continue amongst the Legislature and Governor’s Office.
The Senate property tax proposal SSB 3001 will have a subcommittee hearing next week on Tuesday.

Capitol Pulse

League Bill Tracker

The League is using Legible to track bills. Please follow the link below to access a table of newly introduced bills and all bills tracked by the League.
League of Cities Weekly Bill Report

Legislation That Advanced This Week

SF 2086 | Elective Junior Fire Fighter Program for High School Students

Permits Iowa high schools to offer an elective junior fire fighter program in partnership with local fire departments, subject to specific agreements and guidelines. The program is designed to prepare students for Firefighter I certification, outlines activities students may and may not perform, and establishes that participating students are not considered employees or volunteer firefighters for legal and insurance purposes. Schools offering the program must provide medical and liability insurance coverage for participating students.
Passed by Senate.

League Registered in Support

HF 2520 | Filling Local Offices

Requires that an appointment to a local elected office be for more than six months before the voters can petition for an election to fill the position. Allows an election for an office if the office holder gives an affirmation of an intent to resign after the next election but before the end of the term. Allows for the office to be on the ballot and for the term to start at the time of the resignation.
Passed by House.

SF 2412 | State and Local Employment and Professional Licensing: Citizenship and Immigration Verification Requirements

Requires all branches of state government, local governments, school districts, the state board of regents, and licensing boards to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. It also creates a SAVE program clearinghouse for verifying the citizenship and immigration status of professional license applicants. Specific procedures for employee/applicant appeals of E-Verify or SAVE results are established, and adverse findings must be reported to federal immigration authorities. Licensure boards are prohibited from issuing or renewing licenses for individuals not lawfully present in the U.S., as determined by these systems.
Passed by Senate.

HF 2490 | Revised Public Notice Requirements for Governmental Meetings

Updates Iowa's public notice law to require governmental bodies to provide meeting notices through several specified methods: advising news media that have requested notice, posting in a designated prominent and always-visible location, and posting on the body's website or internet presence. It also establishes requirements for marking and updating amended agendas. These changes are intended to increase transparency and public access to governmental meetings.
Passed by House.

HF 2501 | Election Administration and Procedures Reform

Makes comprehensive changes to Iowa's election laws and the duties of various county officers and centralizes several election processes under the county commissioner of elections – specifically removing the ability of the county election commissioner to deputize city clerks to receive nomination documents for elected offices. All election paperwork must be delivered by the candidate directly to the county commissioner of elections.
Passed by House.

League Registered Undecided

HF 2325 | Permitting Cities to Create Social Districts for Alcohol Consumption

Amends Iowa law to authorize cities to create 'social districts' where people can possess and consume alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks, and other public places, subject to city ordinances. The bill sets forth requirements for city ordinances governing social districts, including boundaries, permitted hours, container guidelines, licensee participation, enforcement, and revocation procedures. It clarifies that consumption in vehicles or outside permitted times remains prohibited and provides certain protections for participating businesses.
Passed by House.

League Registered in Support

HF 2531 | Divestiture County and City Mineral Rights

Requires counties and cities to convey mineral interests they own to surface owners (except when they own the surface), without consideration or cost to the surface owner. It establishes a five-year deadline for such conveyances, with shorter timelines for newly acquired interests.
Passed by House.

SF 2145 | Donations to Local Officials/Employees for Medical Expenses Via Crowdfunding

Amends Iowa Code to allow local officials and employees to accept monetary donations from other local officials or employees, specifically to offset medical or health care expenses resulting from a diagnosed condition. These donations must be made and received via online crowdfunding or fundraising platforms and are limited to $100 per donor per calendar year. The bill maintains penalties for violations, including potential misdemeanor charges and employment sanctions.
Passed by Senate.

League Registered in Support

HF 2294 | Extension of Complaint Filing Period with Iowa Public Information Board

Extends the period in which an individual may file a complaint with the Iowa Public Information Board for alleged violations of open meetings (chapter 21) or open records (chapter 22) laws. The allowable window for filing is increased from 60 days to 90 days from the date the violation occurred or the date the complainant could have reasonably become aware of it. All complaints remain public records.
Passed by House.

League Registered Undecided

Legislation With Scheduled Subcommittees

SSB 3001 | Senate Property Tax Reform

For a full comparison of the provisions of the Senate Property Tax proposal please see the League’s Property Tax Comparison Table below, but the highlights of the Senate Proposal are:
- 2-5% cap on CGFL revenue based on a CPI-utilizing Budget Adjustment Factor.
- Replacement of statewide Rollback with a Homestead Exemption for 50% of a property’s taxable value up to a max $350,000 exemption.
- Exempts residents 60 years or older with paid off mortgages from non-voter approved property taxes, levies, or bonds.
- Allows cities to put to a vote of their residents an increase of $0.50 to their Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST).
- Indexes the Road Use Tax Fund (RUTF) to CPI.
Subcommittee scheduled for March 3 at 12:30 p.m.

HSB 758 | Property Tax Assessment Protest and Appeal Burden of Proof Reform

Clarifies that for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, when a taxpayer presents any evidence that the market value differs from the assessor’s value, the burden of proof shifts to government officials defending the valuation.
Subcommittee scheduled for March 3 at noon.

Other Legislation of Interest

HF 2667 & SF 2394 | Changes to SUDAS Board and Project Compliance Requirements

Reforms the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Board within the Department of Transportation. The board is tasked with developing, maintaining, and publishing standardized urban design and specifications manuals, and analyzing the potential cost impacts of changes. Local governments (counties and cities) that approve project plans not in compliance with these standards are made financially responsible for additional costs resulting from noncompliance, ensuring property owners are not assessed for extra costs due to such noncompliance. The board's composition, appointment process, and operational guidelines are detailed.

Resources

You can view all editions of Legislative Link at iowaleague.org/resource/legislative-link.

Like our membership, the Iowa League of Cities is a non-partisan, service-oriented organization that does not participate in elections, make campaign contributions, or have a political action committee (PAC).