89th General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

HF 2461: Relating to ransomware and providing penalties

Died when the session ended · The 2022 session adjourned on May 24, 2022, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died.

What it does

This bill relates to ransomware. The bill defines “ransomware” as a computer or data contaminant, encryption, or lock that is placed or introduced without authorization into a computer, computer network, or a computer system that restricts access by an authorized person to a computer, computer data, a computer network, or a computer system in a manner that results in the person responsible for the placement or introduction of the contaminant, encryption, or lock making a demand for payment of money or other consideration to remove the contaminant, encryption, or lock.

Cost

Cost: up to $22,100

House File 2461 establishes new criminal offenses, and the fiscal impact cannot be estimated due to a lack of existing conviction data. The average State cost per offense for an aggravated misdemeanor ranges from $4,900 to $9,500. The average State cost per of…

Senate subcommittee · named March 8, 2022

Sen. Craig Johnson (R) · craig.johnson@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Craig Steven Williams (R) · craig.williams@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 0 against

For: Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities; Iowa Association of Water Agencies; Iowa Communications Alliance; Technology Association of Iowa

In plain words

February 18, 2022Filed in the House
February 21, 2022Cost estimate (fiscal note) posted
March 2, 2022Passed the House, 99–0
March 2, 2022Arrived in the Senate
March 8, 2022Senate subcommittee named: Johnson, Quirmbach and Williams
March 10, 2022Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
March 16, 2022Approved by the Senate committee