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Bills › 91st General Assembly

HF 2694Signed by Governor · June 2, 2026

Relating to the regulation of certain places and activities by the governor

Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Brett Barker (R), Rep. Chad Behn (R), Rep. David L. Blom (R), Rep. Brooke Boden (R), Rep. Taylor R. Collins (R), Rep. Zach Dieken (R), Rep. Samantha Fett (R), Rep. Dean Fisher (R), Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R), Rep. Thomas Gerhold (R), Rep. Cindy Golding (R), Rep. Helena Hayes (R), Rep. Bob Henderson (R), Rep. Craig P. Johnson (R), Rep. Wendy Larson (R), Rep. Judd Lawler (R), Rep. Joshua Meggers (R), Rep. Brent Siegrist (R), Rep. Travis M. Sitzmann (R), Rep. Jennifer J. Smith (R), Rep. Henry Stone (R), Rep. Mark I. Thompson (R), Rep. Charley Thomson (R), Rep. Blaine C. Watkins (R), Rep. Ryan Weldon (R), Rep. Sam Wengryn (R), Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R), Rep. Craig Steven Williams (R), Rep. John H. Wills (R), Rep. Derek Wulf (R)

Topics:Civil rightsState government

Same legislation: HF 2145

Write your legislators about it

Also covers HF 2145.

What changed before it passed
Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2026
  3. Done: House committeeFebruary 19, 2026
  4. Done: Passes the HouseMarch 10, 202667–23
  5. Done: Senate committeeMarch 23, 2026
  6. Done: Passes the SenateApril 29, 202630–15
  7. Done: To the GovernorMay 13, 2026
  8. Done: Signed into lawJune 2, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary The governor would be stopped from closing or making rules for any building used for religious worship. This rule applies even if the governor declares a disaster or a public health emergency.1

Read the official explanation

This bill prohibits the governor from closing, placing a mandate on, or otherwise regulating a place or practice of worship for any reason, including through the proclamation of a disaster emergency or public health disaster. The bill defines “place of worship” as a building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.

Why it matters. The governor would be prohibited from closing, mandating, or regulating any building used by an active congregation for worship, even during a declared disaster emergency or public health crisis. This change would affect religious organizations and the governor's authority to regulate their practices.2

Changed since by amendments S-5230, S-5123, H-8186; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed3

Senate subcommittee

Named March 12, 2026. On March 17, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.

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

5 written public comments to its subcommittee: March 17, 2026 (3), February 12, 2026 (2) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§7.19

How the Code works4

Lobbying

8 for · 2 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HF 2097Renumbered90th GA

91st General Assembly

HF 2145RenumberedHF 2694Became lawfrom HF 2145

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 got through a chamber.

  • HF 2097 Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
    90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2532 · same title
    Cleared committee

Similar bills this General Assembly

  • HF 280 Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
    91st General Assembly · In committee
    Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.