Relating to government bodies for purposes of open records, and making penalties applicable

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 29, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 29, 2025
3. ✓
   Done: Senate committeeMarch 3, 2025
4. ✕
   Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
5. –
   Skipped: House committeeSkipped
6. ✓
   Done: Passes the HouseMarch 5, 202686–0
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 amends the definition of “government body” in Code chapter (open records) to include an instrumentality of a county, city, or township, thereby subjecting such instrumentalities to open records requirements and associated civil penalties applicable to government bodies. The bill defines the term “instrumentality”.1 (felonious misconduct in office).1, a public officer or employee who knowingly falsifies a writing, or knowingly delivers a falsified writing, with the knowledge that the writing is falsified and that the writing will become a public record of a government body, commits a class “D” felony.

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 13, 2026. On January 22, 2026 it recommended passage.

• Sen. Scott Webster REmail
• Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach DEmail
• Sen. Dave Sires 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

Cost: up to $18,100 Compare with other bills

The fiscal impact of Senate File 503 cannot be determined but is anticipated to be minimal. The average State cost for a Class D felony is between $13,000 and $18,100. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC. The costs would be incurred across multiple fiscal years for prison and parole supervision.

• Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026
• Public Records, Government Bodies · March 4, 2026

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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§22.1

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.