Bills › 91st General Assembly
Requiring an initial appearance before a magistrate on new felony charges by a person on felony probation or parole
Sponsored by Sen. Mark S. Lofgren (R)
Topics:Courts & civil lawCrime & corrections
Same legislation: HF 2037
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 12, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeJanuary 27, 2026
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People currently on felony probation or parole who are arrested for a new felony must see a judge before they can be released. Under current rules, these individuals could sometimes be released without seeing a magistrate first. This change ensures they have an initial court appearance before they are allowed to go home.1
Read the official explanation
This bill requires an initial appearance before a magistrate on new felony charges by a person on felony probation or parole. Current law allows a person arrested with or without a warrant to be released within the period of time the person would otherwise remain incarcerated while waiting to be taken before a magistrate if the release is pursuant to pretrial release guidelines or a bond schedule promulgated by the judicial council, unless the person is charged with manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or distribution of methamphetamine. The bill requires a person arrested with or without a warrant and charged with a felony who is at the time of the arrest on probation or parole, in lieu of or as a result of a sentence of incarceration imposed upon conviction of a felony, and subject to supervision by the district department of correctional services to have an initial appearance before a magistrate prior to release pursuant to pretrial release guidelines or a bond schedule promulgated by the judicial council.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 13, 2026. On January 20, 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 12, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
3 for · 0 against · 3 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly