91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 349: Relating to the rules of civil procedure, including remedies for the failure to meet discovery deadlines

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 it does

This bill relates to enforcement of the Iowa rules of civil procedure discovery deadlines.517 (discovery and inspection) unless all parties agree to the waiver or extension. If a party fails to comply with a deadline, the bill requires the court to assess a civil penalty against the party for violation of the rules and if the nonoffending party would typically file a motion to compel to enforce the missed deadline, then reasonable attorney fees shall also be awarded. The bill prohibits a court from waiving civil penalties or awards under the bill.

Cost

No fiscal note

Senate subcommittee · named February 20, 2025

Sen. David D. Rowley (R) · david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Julian B. Garrett (R)
Sen. Janet Petersen (D) · janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 0 for, 4 against

Against: Innocence Project; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa State Bar Association

In plain words

February 18, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
February 20, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Rowley, Garrett and Petersen