SF 472: Relating to retention and recertification elections for public employee collective bargaining units and including effective date and applicability provisions. Applicability date: 05/19/2026

What it does

This bill relates to retention and recertification elections for public employee collective bargaining units conducted by the employment appeal board (board). The bill requires the board to issue to the public employer and the bargaining representative a written notice of intent to conduct such an election prior to conducting the election. The bill requires a public employer, after receiving such notice, to submit to the board a list of employees in the bargaining unit within days. The board shall utilize the submitted list to determine the employees eligible to vote in the election and the outcome of the election.

House subcommittee · named March 10, 2026

• Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Rick L. Olson (D) · rick.olson@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Charley Thomson (R) · charley.thomson@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 3 for, 11 against

For: Americans For Prosperity; Mackinac Center Action; Professional Educators of Iowa

Against: AFSCME Council 61; IBEW Iowa State Conference; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Iowa Peace Officers Association; Iowa State Building and Construction Trades; Iowa State Education Association; Laborers International Union of North America; Linn County Board of Supervisors; Mid-American Carpenters Regional Council; Teamsters Local 238; United Professionals/UE

In plain words

1. February 20, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Workforce committee · as SSB 1172
2. February 21, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Dickey, Donahue and Schultz · as SSB 1172
3. February 24, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 1172
4. February 25, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 472 · as SSB 1172
5. February 27, 2025Filed in the Senate
6. February 27, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
7. March 10, 2025Passed the Senate, 32–15
8. March 26, 2025Arrived in the House
9. March 28, 2025House subcommittee named: Thomson, C., Lawler and Olson
10. April 1, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
11. April 2, 2025Approved by the House committee
12. April 2, 2025Committee vote: 14–6
13. March 10, 2026House subcommittee named: Holt, Olson, Thomson and C
14. March 11, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it
15. March 18, 2026Approved by the House committee
16. March 18, 2026Committee vote: 14–7
17. April 28, 2026Passed the House, 56–34
18. May 5, 2026Sent to the Governor
19. May 19, 2026Signed into law