HF 2296: Restricting counties and cities from issuing a local form of identification

What it does

This bill prohibits a county or city from issuing identification cards to its residents. The bill provides exceptions for counties authorized to issue driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards, and persons with disabilities identification devices pursuant to Code chapter 321M. The bill also provides an exception for a county or city when issuing an identification card to an employee or elected official relating to the employee’s or official’s job duties.

Senate subcommittee · named March 2, 2026

• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich (R) · cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Kevin Alons (R) · kevin.alons@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D) · herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 7 for, 23 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Fraternal Order of Police; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum); Iowa State Police Association; Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association

Against: AFSCME Council 61; Building Bridges; City of Iowa City; Common Good Iowa; Des Moines Area Religious Council; Dubuque For Refugee Children; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; and 11 more

In plain words

1. January 14, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Public Safety committee · as HSB 552
2. January 14, 2026House subcommittee named: Vondran, Gjerde and Wengryn · as HSB 552
3. January 28, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as HSB 552
4. February 3, 2026Approved by the House committee · as HSB 552
5. February 3, 2026Committee vote: 13–8 · as HSB 552
6. February 5, 2026Filed in the House
7. February 5, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2296 · as HSB 552
8. February 25, 2026Passed the House, 69–22
9. February 25, 2026Arrived in the Senate
10. March 2, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Westrich, Alons and Quirmbach
11. March 10, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
12. March 19, 2026Approved by the Senate committee
13. April 7, 2026Passed the Senate, 31–14
14. April 16, 2026Sent to the Governor
15. April 16, 2026Signed into law