Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the Iowa communications network, and including effective date provisions
Topics:Business & economyState governmentTechnology & privacy
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2590
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2590 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2590 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa will sell its state communications network to a private or public buyer as soon as possible. This change allows the state to sell communication services to more than just government agencies and lets the state manage leases for the network differently. The money from the sale will go into the state's general fund.1
Read the official explanation
This bill strikes provisions prohibiting the Iowa telecommunications and technology commission from providing or reselling communications services to entities other than public and private agencies, prohibiting public and private agencies from providing communication services of the Iowa communications network to another entity unless authorized, and authorizing and regulating leases and agreements regarding the Iowa communications network with private and public agencies. The elimination of these provisions takes effect July 1, 2027. The bill directs the department of management (DOM) to sell the Iowa communications network as soon as feasible. DOM may use a sole source approach to contract for vendor services to facilitate the transaction and may directly solicit bids for the network. The sale must allow authorized users of the network to continue to receive contracted services on commercially reasonable terms for at least years. The bill requires DOM to submit status reports to the legislative services agency every three months, beginning October 1, 2026, and an outline of the proposed sale days prior to completing the transaction. The proceeds of the sale are deposited in the general fund. This provision takes effect upon enactment.
House subcommittee
Named February 10, 2026. On February 16, 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
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 16, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill directs the state to begin the process of selling the Iowa Communications Network. The fiscal impact of the sale cannot be estimated because the revenue depends on a future market valuation. However, if the network is not sold and is instead allowed to serve more users, it is estimated to bring in an increase of $2.0 million to $7.0 million in annual revenue beginning in fiscal year 2028.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of House File 2590 is unknown because there are several scenarios that may have a fiscal impact. The fiscal impact of the sale of the ICN cannot be determined since the sale revenue of the ICN cannot be estimated until a true market valuation is performed.
- Sale of Iowa Communications Network · March 12, 2026
- Sale of Iowa Communications Network · March 3, 2026
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91st General Assembly