Relating to software licensing restrictions for certain state entities, and including applicability provisions

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2026
Stopped: SubcommitteeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: House committeeFunnel: by February 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill prohibits a software licensing contract entered into by the department of management (DOM) or a supported entity for a software application designed to be installed and run on generally available desktop or server hardware from limiting the ability of DOM or the supported entity to install or run the software application on the desktop or server hardware selected by DOM or the supported entity. The bill applies to software licensing contracts and addendums entered into by DOM or a supported entity on or after July 1, 2026.

Read the full explanation

Under Code chapter 8, subchapter XI (information technology), a supported entity is an authority, board, commission, committee, council, department, or independent agency of state government, but does not include the office of the governor, the office of an elective constitutional or statutory officer, the general assembly, the judicial branch, a political subdivision of the state, or the state board of regents and its institutions.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§8.85A

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works