Relating to vexatious litigation and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 17, 2025
3. ✕
   Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
4. Next: Passes the Senate
5. Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
6. Next: Passes the House
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to vexatious litigation and provides for penalties. The bill provides that a person commits a serious misdemeanor if the person or the person’s counsel files, brings, defends, or asserts a civil claim in bad faith or with no reasonable basis in law or fact. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named February 17, 2025. On February 25, 2025 it recommended passage.

• Sen. Mike Bousselot REmail
• Sen. Matt Blake DEmail
• Sen. Scott Webster REmail

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

Creates§720.6A

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