HF 2556: Relating to damages against participants in firearms regulation violations by political subdivisions, and including effective date provisions

What it does

This bill relates to damages against participants in firearms regulation violations by political subdivisions. Under current law, if a political subdivision violates the prohibition against firearms regulation, a person adversely affected may file suit in the appropriate court for declaratory and injunctive relief and all damages attributable to the violation. A court is required to award the prevailing party in any such lawsuit reasonable attorney fees and court costs. In addition to such damages, the bill requires the court to assess damages against participants in the violation in the amount of not more than $500 and not less than $100 per day, or if a person knowingly participated in such a violation, in the amount of not more than $2,500 and not less than $1,000 per day.

Senate subcommittee · named March 5, 2024

• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jeff Reichman (R) · jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 3 against

For: Iowa Firearms Coalition, Inc.; National Rifle Association of America; VALOR Iowa

Against: Brady United Against Gun Violence; City of Iowa City; Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund

In plain words

1. February 15, 2024Filed in the House
2. February 29, 2024Passed the House, 84–11
3. March 4, 2024Arrived in the Senate
4. March 5, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Webster, Petersen and Reichman
5. March 13, 2024Approved by the Senate committee
6. April 11, 2024Passed the Senate, 40–5
7. April 23, 2024Sent to the Governor
8. May 1, 2024Signed into law