Last week, Iowa Republicans fast-tracked legislation related to civil rights and gender identity in Iowa, and hundreds of protesters convened at the Capitol each day. New bills continued to be introduced ahead of the first funnel deadline next week. Most policy bills must be passed by a committee by the end of next week to remain eligible for consideration this year.
Last week, there were 283 new bill introductions between both chambers. As of the end of Week 7, 226 bills passed out of committee and are eligible for floor debate. In total, the House has passed 23 bills passed the House, and the Senate has passed 13.
Civil Rights Bill Passes Legislature
Two weeks ago, in the Iowa House, a bill was introduced to remove gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act and restrict the changing of gender on government documents. The bill also bans gender theory from being taught in kindergarten through sixth grade and defines sex as a strictly biological definition in Iowa Code. On Monday the same bill was introduced in the Senate as SF 418. The bills were fast-tracked by both chambers, passing through subcommittee and committee in both chambers by the end of Wednesday. Each day, hundreds of Iowans gathered at the Capitol to testify and express support and concerns related to the bill.
On Thursday morning, the House held a public hearing on the bill ahead of floor debate, and over 1,000 members of the public attended a protest outside of the hearing room. In the afternoon, the bills were debated on the floor of each chamber. After several amendments related to protections around housing, employment, and discrimination failed, the Iowa Senate passed SF 418 by a vote of 33 to 15 on a party-line vote. The bill was sent to the Iowa House and substituted for the identical House bill. The Iowa House passed SF 418 by a vote of 60-36 shortly after with five Republicans joining every Democrat in voting no. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on Friday afternoon. In a statement following the bill signing, Governor Reynolds stated:
“I know this is a sensitive issue for some, many of whom have heard misinformation about what this bill does. The truth is that it simply brings Iowa in line with the federal Civil Rights Code, as well as most states. We all agree that every Iowan, without exception, deserves respect and dignity. We are all children of God, and no law changes that. What this bill does accomplish is to strengthen protections for women and girls, and I believe that is the right thing to do.”
Governor’s Priorities Continue to Advance
Even with the attention on the civil rights bill, the legislature continued to hold regular business during the week. Governor Kim Reynold’s legislative priorities advanced in both chambers.
Disaster preparedness – SSB 1188 and HSB 246 were introduced by Governor Reynolds and focus on enhancements to disaster preparedness and recovery efforts in the state. Both bills have subcommittees scheduled for early next week.
Childcare – SSB 1135 and HSB 145 advanced out their respective committees and were reintroduced in each chamber.
Healthcare – HSB 191 and SSB 1163, advanced through the funnel deadline. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee amended the bill, and both chambers passed its version out of committee.
Education – Governor Reynolds’ math and civics education bills, SSB 1092 and HSB 137, passed through the Education Committees in their respective chambers late last week. However, the House Education Committee amended its version to remove provisions related to civics instruction as House Education leaders are working on their own civics education proposal: HF 165.
Also in the education sphere, HSB 106 relating to limiting cell phone usage in schools, passed the House Education Committee. In a press release, Governor Reynolds stated:
“Iowa teachers agree that smartphone distraction is a problem in their classrooms… [c]ell phone addiction is not only unhealthy, leading to increased anxiety and depression, it is also limiting student achievement… We must prioritize learning in our schools to set Iowa students up for success after graduation.”
The Senate version passed committee and was renumbered (SF 370) last week.
What’s next?
The first funnel deadline for the 2025 legislative session is next week. By Friday, March 7, policy bills must pass out of committee in their originating chamber. This “funnel” deadline does not apply to select bills, namely appropriations, ways and means, and bills related to administrative rules. Because of this looming deadline, we anticipate many bill introductions and subcommittee meetings throughout the next week as legislators work to keep their proposals alive.
The full 2025 Session Timetable can be found here.
