Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa limiting years of service for members of the general assembly

Sponsored by Sen. Matt Blake (D), Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D), Sen. Thomas Townsend (D), Sen. Zach Wahls (D), Sen. Mike Zimmer (D)

Topics:State government

Write your legislators about it

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedMarch 5, 2025
Stopped: Approved in committeeDid not pass
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: Passes the House
Next: Passes again next General AssemblyThe same wording, after an election
Next: Voters decideOn the next general election ballot

Did not pass It didn’t pass both chambers before the General Assembly ended. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Iowa voters could decide to limit how long people can serve in the state legislature. Under this rule, a senator or representative could not serve more than twelve years in a row and would have to take a two-year break after that. These new limits would only apply to people first elected to office on or after January 1, 2029.¹

Read the official explanation

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa limiting years of service for persons elected to the general assembly. The amendment provides that a person shall not be elected for a term as a senator or representative if the term would result in the person serving more than twelve consecutive years in the general assembly. Additionally, a senator or representative shall not be elected for a term as a senator or representative for two years following a twelfth consecutive year of service in the general assembly. These limitations apply only to persons first elected for a term commencing on or after January 1, 2029. The resolution, if adopted, would be referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.

Full bill text²

Senate subcommittee

Named March 11, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.

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

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 0 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HJR 6Cleared committee89th GA SJR 3Cleared committee90th GA

91st General Assembly

SJR 10Cleared committee

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None got through a chamber.

SJR 3 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa limiting years of service …
90th General Assembly · In committee · same title
Cleared committee
HJR 6 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa limiting years of service …
89th General Assembly · In committee · same title
Cleared committee

Matched by wording or an identical title.