Bills › 89th General Assembly

HSB 271Died when the session ended · March 4, 2021

HSB 271

Topics:State government

Same legislation: SSB 1211, SJR 15, HSB 582, HJR 2005

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedMarch 3, 2021
  2. Done: SubcommitteeMarch 4, 2021
  3. Done: House committeeFebruary 23, 2022
  4. Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 23, 202263–34
  5. Done: Senate committeeMarch 17, 2022
  6. Done: Passes the SenateMarch 22, 202246–3
  7. Stopped: To the GovernorDied when the General Assembly ended
  8. Next: Signed into law

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’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernatorial line of succession. The amendment creates a system of succession in the case of a permanent or temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect. In the case of a temporary disability of the governor or governor-elect, the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect shall act as governor or governor-elect until the disability is removed, or the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office.

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_____ governor-elect shall become governor or governor-elect for the residue of the term, and the office of lieutenant governor shall become vacant. /tm 2/ 2

Full bill text · What changed before it passed1

House subcommittee

Named March 4, 2021. It hasn’t reported yet.

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

Fiscal note

AI summary This constitutional amendment changes the line of succession for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. If passed by the 89th General Assembly, it is estimated to cost $14,400 in fiscal year 2023 for newspaper publication costs. If passed a second time by the 90th General Assembly, it is estimated to cost $178,200 in fiscal year 2025, with the Secretary of State's Office reimbursing the costs.2

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Description

Senate Joint Resolution 15 proposes an amendment to the Iowa Constitution related to the gubernatorial line of succession. The amendment provides that in cases of a temporary disability of the Governor or Governor-Elect, the Lieutenant Governor or Lieutenant Governor-Elect shall act as Governor until the disability is removed. In cases where the inability to fulfill the role of Governor is permanent, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor for the remainder of the term, which shall create a vacancy in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

Background

Currently, under Article IV of the Iowa Constitution, if the Governor is temporarily or permanently unable to perform the role of the office, the Lieutenant Governor will act as Governor. If, after assuming the role of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor becomes unable to perform the role, the President of the Senate shall act as Governor, followed similarly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Iowa Code section 49A.1 and the Iowa Constitution require that when a proposed amendment to the Constitution has passed the General Assembly and has been referred to the next succeeding General Assembly, the General Assembly is required to publish the proposed amendment in two newspapers of general circulation in each Iowa congressional district once each month, for three consecutive months, prior to the start of the next General Assembly. Upon passage of the same amendment by the succeeding General Assembly, Iowa Code section 49A.2 requires the amendment to be published in newspapers in all 99 counties once each month for three consecutive months immediately preceding the general election.

Assumptions

  • The average cost to publish a proposed constitutional amendment in a single newspaper is $600.
  • Publication of the initial amendment would occur monthly in eight newspapers (two in each congressional district) for a three-month period if the proposed amendment were passed by the 89th General Assembly.
  • Subsequent publication of the amendment would occur monthly in 99 newspapers (one in each county) for a three-month period prior to the 2024 General Election if the amendment were passed by the 90th General Assembly.

Fiscal Impact

Constitutional Amendment Publication Cost. The estimated cost to publish a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the 89th General Assembly would be $14,400 (8 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2022 (FY 2023), prior to the convening of the 2023 Legislative Session.

Assuming the proposed amendment is passed a second time by the 90th General Assembly, the estimated cost would be $178,200 (99 newspapers x 3 months x $600). The costs would be incurred in fall 2024 (FY 2025).

These publication costs would be incurred by the Secretary of the Senate’s Office and the Chief Clerk’s Office in the House of Representatives, and reimbursed by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

Sources

  • Legislative Services Agency
  • Office of the Secretary of State

Reading a fiscal note3

Lobbying

1 for · 1 against · 3 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.

  • SJR 2003 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernator…
    88th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same title
    Passed a chamber

Similar bills this General Assembly

  • HJR 3 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the gubernator…
    90th General Assembly · Passed both chambers
    Very similar
  • SSB 1110 SSB 1110
    90th General Assembly · In committee
    Very similar

Matched by wording or an identical title.