Relating to habitual offenders, and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 4, 2026
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 4, 2026
3. ✓
   Done: House committeeFebruary 12, 2026
4. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 4, 202668–23
5. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 24, 2026
6. ✓
   Done: Passes the SenateMay 2, 202639–6
7. ✓
   Done: To the GovernorMay 13, 2026
8. ✓
   Done: Signed into lawJune 2, 2026

Became HF 2542 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2542 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to habitual offenders. The bill strikes the current law regarding habitual offenders and provides that a habitual offender is a person who has been convicted, in a court of this state or any other state, or of the United States, of any combination of level one or level two offenses resulting in the accumulation of three or more points.2B(3)(c), theft, and possession of a controlled substance. Each conviction of a level one offense is worth one point.4. Each conviction of a level two offense is worth one-half point.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Changed since by amendments H-8470, S-5252, H-8116; see Amendments. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

House subcommittee

Named February 4, 2026. On February 5, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Rep. Steven C. Holt REmail
• Rep. Samantha Fett REmail
• Rep. Ross Wilburn DEmail

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

Fiscal note

The cost increase per individual is approximately $43,000 for prison admissions based on the increased LOS. In FY 2025, there was a total of 121 new prison admissions with an average LOS of 675 days. Under the Bill, the new LOS would be approximately 2,555 days. 2 million over the entire LOS. 8 with an average LOS of 1,314 days.

• Final Fiscal Note — Sentencing Enhancements, Repeat Offenders · May 20, 2026 · $43,000
• Sentencing Enhancements, Repeat Offenders · March 16, 2026
• Sentencing Enhancements, Repeat Offenders · March 3, 2026

Nonpartisan cost estimates from the Legislative Services Agency’s Fiscal Services Division. The newest is first. Reading a fiscal note

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§902.8§902.9

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.