Bills › 89th General Assembly

HF 720Withdrawn · SF 252 became law instead · March 15, 2021

Relating to the authority of counties and cities to regulate rental housing, and including effective date provisions

Sponsored by the House Local Government (companion To Sf 252 By Committee on Local Government) Committee

Topics:Housing & propertyCities & counties

Same legislation: SSB 1079, HSB 171, SF 252

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 1, 2021
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 1, 2021
  3. Done: House committeeMarch 1, 2021
  4. Done: Passes the HouseMarch 15, 202156–38
  5. Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
  6. Done: Passes the SenateFebruary 17, 202131–18
  7. Done: To the GovernorApril 30, 2021
  8. Done: Signed into lawApril 30, 2021

SF 252 became law → The same legislation passed as SF 252, so this version was set aside. Go to SF 252 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Local governments will no longer be allowed to pass rules that stop landlords from refusing to rent to people using federal housing vouchers. This change affects cities and counties by making any existing local laws that required accepting these vouchers void. Landlords will regain the right to decide whether or not to rent their homes to people with these specific government assistance programs.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the authority of counties and cities to regulate rental housing. The bill prohibits a county or city from adopting or enforcing an ordinance or regulation that prohibits a person who has the right to lease, sublease, or rent out a dwelling unit from refusing to lease or rent out the dwelling unit to a person because of the person’s use of a federal housing choice voucher issued by the United States department of housing and urban development. Such an ordinance or regulation adopted prior to the effective date of the bill is void and unenforceable on and after the effective date of the bill. For purposes of the bill, “dwelling unit” means a structure or the part of a structure that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place.

Changed since by amendment H-1182; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

House subcommittee

Named February 1, 2021 (as HSB 171). On February 10, 2021 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 2-0.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§331.304§364.3

How the Code works3

Lobbying

5 for · 30 against · 11 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

  • SF 2368 Relating to the authority of counties and cities to regulate rental housing, and including…
    88th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same title
    Passed a chamber

Matched by wording or an identical title.