Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to civil liability of sports officials, providing criminal penalties for assault of sports officials, and including effective date and applicability provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Reichman (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 16, 2025
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- 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 provides that a sports official who officiates an athletic contest at any level of competition in Iowa shall not be liable to any person in any civil action for injuries or damages claimed to have arisen due to actions or inactions within the confines of the athletic facility at which the athletic contest is played related in any manner to the sports official’s officiating duties. This provision does not apply to a sports official who causes injury or damage to a person by actions or inactions that are intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent.
Read the full explanation
The bill applies to legal actions commenced on or after the effective date of the bill, including legal actions that allege actions or inactions of a sports official that occurred prior to the effective date of the bill. The bill provides that a person who commits an assault against a sports official, with the knowledge that the person against whom the assault is committed is a sports official, and with the intent to commit a serious injury, is guilty of a class “D” felony. assault, is guilty of a class “D” felony. The bill provides that a person who commits an assault against a sports official, who knows that the person against whom the assault is committed is a sports official, and who causes bodily injury or mental illness, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill provides that any other assault committed against a sports official by a person who knows that the person against whom the assault is committed is a sports official is a serious misdemeanor. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540. 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. The bill defines “sports official” as an individual who serves as a referee, umpire, or linesman, or in a similar capacity, at any athletic contest, and who is a member of or registered with a local, state, regional, or national organization that is engaged, in part, in providing education and training to sports officials. The bill takes effect upon enactment.
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 January 16, 2025. On January 22, 2025 it recommended passage.
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
Amends§708.3A
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
3 for · 1 against · 6 undecided · Who →
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.
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None got through a chamber.
- HF 2078 Relating to civil liability of sports officials, providing criminal penalties for assault …90th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2043 Relating to civil liability of sports officials, providing criminal penalties for assault …88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 2023 Relating to civil liability of sports officials, providing criminal penalties for assault …88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
Similar bills this General Assembly
- HF 52 Relating to civil liability of sports officials, providing criminal penalties for assault …91st General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passageNearly identical
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.