Prohibiting political subdivisions from using certain moneys to hire lobbyists or pay instrumentalities, and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 23, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2025
3. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 3, 2025
4. ✕
   Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
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 prohibits a political subdivision from using moneys received from the imposition of a tax to employ or compensate a lobbyist, or to pay an instrumentality that employs or compensates a lobbyist. For the purposes of the bill, “instrumentality” is defined and includes, among other entities that meet certain qualifications, the Iowa league of cities, the Iowa state association of counties and any of its affiliates, and the Iowa school board association. When used in Code chapter 68B (government ethics and lobbying), “lobbyist” means an individual who, by acting directly, receives compensation to encourage the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order by the members of the general assembly, a state agency, or any statewide elected official; is a designated representative of an organization which has as one of its purposes the encouragement of the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order before the general assembly, a state agency, or any statewide elected official; represents the position of a federal, state, or local government agency, in which the person serves or is employed as the designated representative, for purposes of encouraging the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order by members of the general assembly, a state agency, or any statewide elected official; or makes expenditures of more than $1,000 in a year, other than to pay another lobbyist or to communicate with only the members of the general assembly who represent the district in which the individual resides, to communicate in person with members of the general assembly, a state agency, or any statewide elected official for purposes of encouraging the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order.

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 18, 2026. On February 18, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Sen. Dave Sires REmail
• Sen. Izaah Knox DEmail
• Sen. Cherielynn Westrich 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

Fiscal note

Can’t be estimated Compare with other bills

The fiscal impact cannot be determined since it is not known how many additional convictions may result under the Bill. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per offense for a serious misdemeanor. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC.

• Political Subdivisions, Lobbyist Compensation · March 20, 2025

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

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§68B.9

Amends§68B.34

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.