Relating to qualifications to practice law in Iowa and regulation of persons admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction of the United States other than Iowa. Effective 7-1-19

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 8, 2019
2. –
   Skipped: SubcommitteeSkipped
3. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeFebruary 26, 2019
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the SenateApril 9, 201948–0
5. –
   Skipped: House committeeSkipped
6. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseApril 18, 2019
7. ✓
   Done: To the GovernorApril 30, 2019
8. ✓
   Done: Signed into lawMay 1, 2019

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill removes the requirement that an applicant for admission to practice law (be admitted to the bar) in Iowa be a resident of Iowa. The bill, in part, is a response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Supreme Court of New Hampshire v. 274 (1985). That case held that a state residency requirement to be admitted to the bar violated the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution. The bill provides that people who are qualified to be admitted to practice law in Iowa at the discretion of the court include not only persons who have been admitted to the bars of any other state or the District of Columbia but also a territory of the United States.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed¹

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