Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the authority of combined recreational lake and water quality districts when issuing bonds
Sponsored by Sen. Dan Zumbach (R)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- 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 Currently, lake and water quality districts must hold an election before they can take on new debt. This change would allow these districts to issue bonds using the same rules and processes that cities use. Under the new rules, some debt might still require voter approval, but it would no longer be required for every single instance.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to bonding and indebtedness authority of a combined recreational lake and water quality district (district) under Code chapter 357E. Under current law, such a district has the same powers to issue bonds that a city has under the laws of this state. However, Code section 357E.11A(3) requires any indebtedness of the district, except for refunding bonds, to first be authorized at election. The bill strikes the election requirement for all indebtedness and specifies that districts are subject to the same requirements and limitations to issue bonds that a city has under the laws of this state, which may, but does not always require, approval at election.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 11, 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
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§357E.11A