HF 621: Relating to firearms on school property, and including effective date provisions

What it does

The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill relates to firearms on school property. Under current administrative rules, the driver of a school vehicle transporting pupils shall not permit firearms or other weapons, nor ammunition, to be carried in the passenger compartment. The bill allows a school district or nonpublic school to authorize or direct a person to carry, transport, or possess a firearm, other weapon, or ammunition in a school vehicle.

House subcommittee · named February 10, 2026

• Rep. Jeff Shipley (R) · jeff.shipley@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Chad Behn (R) · chad.behn@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Heather Matson (D) · heather.matson@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 4 for, 9 against

For: Inspired Life; Iowa Firearms Coalition, Inc.; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; National Rifle Association of America

Against: Dubuque Coalition for Nonviolence (CNV); Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa State Education Association; Iowans for Gun Safety; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Urban Education Network of Iowa

In plain words

1. February 27, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Education committee
2. March 3, 2025House subcommittee named: Stone, Fett and Levin
3. March 5, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
4. February 10, 2026House subcommittee named: Shipley, Behn and Matson
5. February 17, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
6. February 18, 2026Approved by the House committee
7. February 18, 2026Committee vote: 17–6