SF 588: Concerning local government notice requirements on certain actions

What it does

Under current law, notice requirements for local governments vary as follows: a political subdivision’s proposed property tax hearing requires not less than nor more than days’ notice; a city’s proposed issuance of joint transit general corporate purpose bonds requires at least days; state building codes adopted by ordinance and later repealed require a public hearing after giving not less than but not more than days’ notice; a city resolution of intent to discontinue requires a public hearing on the proposal to discontinue the city with at least days’ notice; a city special committee hearing to consider a city development board’s proposal to discontinue or adjust a city boundary requires two publications in a newspaper having general circulation in each city and each territory involved in the proposal; a city resolution to reduce the number of council members from five to three requires a public hearing on the proposal with at least days’ notice; city council budget certifications require a public hearing with not less than nor more than days’ notice; a city proposal to establish one or more utility districts with fee schedules for the connection of property to the city sewer or water utility requires a 20-day notice; city resolutions of necessity for public improvements require a public hearing with not less than days’ notice to the property owners subject to the special assessment; city appointments of civil service commissioners require published notice of the proposed appointments for no less than days prior to a vote by the city council; amendments to city or county revitalization area plans require a hearing with at least days’ notice and the public hearing shall not be held earlier than the next regularly scheduled city council or board of supervisors meeting following the published notice; and when a city council amends, supplements, or changes regulations and restrictions or the boundaries of districts, a public hearing is required with at least days’ notice and the public hearing shall not be held earlier than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following the published notice.

Senate subcommittee · named February 19, 2025

• Sen. Dave Sires (R) · dave.sires@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Izaah Knox (D) · izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Scott Webster (R) · scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 0 against

For: City of Des Moines; City of Waukee; Iowa Chapter of Sierra Club; Iowa League of Cities; Metropolitan Coalition

In plain words

1. February 13, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Local Government committee · as SSB 1116
2. February 13, 2025Senate subcommittee named: De Witt, Guth and Knox · as SSB 1116
3. February 19, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Sires, Knox and Webster · as SSB 1116
4. March 3, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes · as SSB 1116
5. March 6, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 588 · as SSB 1116
6. March 10, 2025Filed in the Senate
7. March 10, 2025Approved by the Senate committee
8. March 25, 2025Passed the Senate, 49–0
9. April 8, 2025Took the place of HF 651 on the House floor (the same legislation)
10. April 8, 2025Passed the House, 88–8
11. May 19, 2025Sent to the Governor
12. June 6, 2025Signed into law