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Bills › 91st General Assembly

Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor

Sponsored by Rep. Brett Barker (R), Rep. Chad Behn (R), Rep. David L. Blom (R), Rep. Brooke Boden (R), Rep. Taylor R. Collins (R), Rep. Zach Dieken (R), Rep. Samantha Fett (R), Rep. Dean Fisher (R), Rep. Dan Gehlbach (R), Rep. Thomas Gerhold (R), Rep. Cindy Golding (R), Rep. Helena Hayes (R), Rep. Bob Henderson (R), Rep. Craig P. Johnson (R), Rep. Wendy Larson (R), Rep. Judd Lawler (R), Rep. Joshua Meggers (R), Rep. Brent Siegrist (R), Rep. Travis M. Sitzmann (R), Rep. Jennifer J. Smith (R), Rep. Henry Stone (R), Rep. Mark I. Thompson (R), Rep. Charley Thomson (R), Rep. Blaine C. Watkins (R), Rep. Ryan Weldon (R), Rep. Sam Wengryn (R), Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R), Rep. Craig Steven Williams (R), Rep. John H. Wills (R), Rep. Derek Wulf (R)

Topics:Civil rightsState government

Same legislation: HF 2694

Write your legislators about it

Also covers HF 2694.

What changed before it passed
Official bill pageLobbyist declarationsOne-pager to print

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2026
  3. Done: House committeeFebruary 19, 2026
  4. Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2694
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became HF 2694 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2694 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary The governor would be stopped from closing or making rules for any building used for religious worship. This rule applies even during a public health crisis or a declared disaster emergency.1

Read the official explanation

This bill prohibits the governor from closing, placing a mandate on, or otherwise regulating a place or practice of worship for any reason, including through the proclamation of a disaster emergency or public health disaster. The bill defines “place of worship” as a building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.

Changed since by amendments S-5230, S-5123, H-8186; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

House subcommittee

Named January 27, 2026. On February 12, 2026 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

5 written public comments to its subcommittee: March 17, 2026 (3), February 12, 2026 (2) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§7.19

How the Code works3

Lobbying

8 for · 2 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Tried before

HF 2532Cleared committee90th GAHF 2097Renumbered90th GA

91st General Assembly

HF 2145RenumberedHF 2694Became lawfrom HF 2145

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

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

  • HF 2097 Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
    90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2532 · same title
    Cleared committee
  • HF 2532 Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
    90th General Assembly · Approved by committee · same title
    Cleared committee

Similar bills this General Assembly

  • HF 280 Relating to the regulation of places and practices of worship by the governor
    91st General Assembly · In committee
    Nearly identical

Matched by wording or an identical title.