Relating to public records requests

Sponsored by the House State Government Committee

Proposed by the Public Information Board, Iowa · all agency proposals

Topics:State government

Same legislation: HSB 582

Write your legislators about it

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 20, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 20, 2026
Done: House committeeFebruary 4, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 26, 202689–0
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary When someone asks for public records, the person in charge must quickly acknowledge the request and give them a contact person. They also need to tell the person when they can expect an answer, how much it might cost, and if there will be any delays.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill provides that upon receipt of a public records request, the lawful custodian shall (1) promptly, as defined in the bill, acknowledge the request and provide the contact information of the lawful custodian’s authorized designee, (2) provide an approximate date for a response and an estimate of any reasonable fees associated with the request, and (3) inform the requester of any expected delay in production of the public record.

Why it matters. People requesting public records would receive a prompt acknowledgment, an estimated response date, and an estimate of any associated fees. Lawful custodians of public records would be required to provide contact information for an authorized designee and notify requesters of any expected delays.²

Full bill text³

Senate subcommittee

Named March 3, 2026. 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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§22.3 §22.4

How the Code works⁴

Lobbying

7 for · 1 against · 26 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

SF 202Cleared committee90th GA HF 350Passed a chamber90th GA

Study bill

HSB 582Renumbered

91st General Assembly

HF 2330Passed a chamberfrom HSB 582

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.

HF 350 Relating to public records requests
90th General Assembly · Passed House · same title
Passed a chamber
SF 202 Relating to public records requests
90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same title
Cleared committee

Similar bills this General Assembly

HF 400 Relating to public records requests
91st General Assembly · Approved by committee
Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.