89th General Assembly · Iowa Funnel one-pager · Tuesday, November 10, 2026
SSB 3061: SSB 3061
Became SF 2246 · Its progress continues under the new number.
What it does
This bill authorizes the use of remote testimony in civil trials, noncontested criminal proceedings, and contested criminal proceedings with consent of the defendant. Under current law, all testimony needs to be taken in open court, except for depositions.2d 740 (Iowa 2001). The court held that phrase “in open court” meant physical presence in the courtroom itself, and ruled that allowing telephonic testimony over objection violated the statute. The bill is also, in part, a response to the supreme court of Iowa’s decision in State v.
Sponsors
Not listed
Cost
See the fiscal note
Many noncontested judicial proceedings will be conducted remotely under SF 2246. 0% of the noncontested judicial proceedings that it is a party to are conducted remotely. This cost savings is composed of savings to the Office of the State Public Defender opera…
Senate subcommittee · named January 25, 2022
- Sen. Julian B. Garrett (R)
- Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov
- Sen. Jeff Taylor (R) · jeff.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Lobbying · 2 for, 0 against
For: Iowa Judicial Branch - Supreme Court; Sellers Galenbeck and Nelson
In plain words
- January 25, 2022Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
- January 25, 2022Senate subcommittee named: Garrett, Petersen, Taylor and J
- February 4, 2022Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
- February 8, 2022Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2246
From public records at legis.iowa.gov, compiled by Iowa Funnel (iowafunnel.com), an independent, nonpartisan site. Current as of Tuesday, November 10, 2026. https://iowafunnel.com/bills/89/SSB3061