Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the enforcement of immigration laws, and providing penalties
Sponsored by the House Judiciary Committee
Topics:Crime & correctionsPublic safety & emergenciesImmigration
Same legislation: HSB 285
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 4, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeMarch 4, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 6, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 26, 202561–35
- 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 Law enforcement officers, including sheriffs, could face a felony charge if they intentionally fail to follow state rules for enforcing immigration laws. If convicted, these officers would also lose their official certification to work in law enforcement.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the enforcement of immigration laws. The bill provides that any law enforcement officer, including an elected sheriff, who knowingly and intentionally fails to comply with the requirements of Code chapter 27A (enforcement of immigration laws) shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. The bill provides that conviction under the bill shall be grounds for mandatory revocation of a law enforcement officer’s certification by the Iowa law enforcement academy.
Why it matters. Law enforcement officers, including elected sheriffs, would face a class D felony charge and the mandatory loss of their professional certification if they intentionally fail to follow certain immigration enforcement laws. The Attorney General would be responsible for investigating these officers.2
Changed since by amendment H-1171; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 31, 2025. 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
7 written public comments to its subcommittee: March 5, 2025 (7) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill states that law enforcement officers who intentionally fail to comply with certain immigration enforcement laws will be investigated by the Attorney General and may face the loss of their certification. Because the bill was amended, it no longer requires a fiscal note to estimate costs or savings. Therefore, the fiscal impact on state or local funds cannot be estimated.4
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 946 provides that any law enforcement officer, including an elected sheriff, who knowingly and intentionally fails to comply with the requirements of Iowa Code chapter 27A (Enforcement of Immigration Laws) will be subject to investigation by the Attorney General. If the law enforcement officer is determined not to be in compliance or if the law enforcement officer refuses to comply with Iowa Code chapter 27A, the law enforcement officer’s case will be referred to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Council with recommendations for revocation of the officer’s certification.
Fiscal Impact
The introduced version of House File 946 required a Fiscal Note which included estimated correctional, minority, and fiscal impacts. House File 946 was amended by the House on March 26, 2025, and the Bill no longer requires a Fiscal Note.
- Enforcement of Immigration Laws, Criminal Penalty · April 2, 2025
- Enforcement of Immigration Laws, Criminal Penalty · March 20, 2025
Family tree
Study bill
91st General Assembly