Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the establishment of an electronic court notification system
Topics:Courts & civil lawTechnology & privacy
Same legislation: HF 2645
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2645
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2645 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2645 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa will create a new system that sends text messages to people involved in criminal court cases. These messages will include reminders about court dates, locations, and any fees that need to be paid. People can choose to sign up for these alerts or opt out if they do not want them.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the establishment of an electronic court notification system. The bill provides that the state court administrator shall, by July 1, 2027, establish an opt-out electronic court notification system for all pending and future criminal case actions. The system shall: deliver text-based notifications to enrolled individuals regarding all public case proceedings and events, including appearance reminders containing the date, time, and location, and notification of fees due and methods of payment; provide enrolled individuals with a clear and simple option to opt out of receiving notifications through the electronic court notification system; protect against the disclosure of nonpublic information, including information filed in cases under seal; and limit participation in the electronic court notification system to enrolled individuals. The bill provides that the electronic court notification system may be operated by the Iowa judicial branch or be operated under a contract with a qualified third-party entity that meets the requirements of the bill.
House subcommittee
Named February 16, 2026. On February 17, 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 17, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill requires the State Court Administrator to create an electronic system that sends text notifications to people involved in criminal cases regarding court events, reminders, and fees. The Judicial Branch expects one-time implementation costs between $1.0 million and $1.5 million, followed by an estimated annual maintenance cost of $100,000 per year.3
From the note: House File 2645 is expected to increase expenditures for the Judicial Branch. 5 million. Once implemented, the estimated annual cost for ongoing maintenance of the system is anticipated to be $100,000 per year. 2 Source Judicial Branch /s/ Jennifer Acton March 3, 2026 Doc ID 1602008 The Fiscal Note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code.
- Electronic Court Notifications, Criminal Case Actions · March 3, 2026 · $100,000
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§602.1209B
Lobbying
0 for · 0 against · 2 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly