Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations and harassment against public utility employees or contractors, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 11, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 3, 202644–0
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- 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 who work for or contract with public utilities would receive extra legal protection if they are assaulted while doing their jobs. If someone assaults these workers, the person responsible could face tougher penalties like higher fines or prison time. The law also makes harassing these utility workers a more serious crime.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to assaults on persons engaged in certain occupations and harassment against public utility employees or contractors. The bill adds an employee or contractor of a public utility engaged in the performance of a public utility responsibility to the list of occupations that are protected by enhanced assault penalties. The penalty for assault against an employee or contractor of a public utility ranges from an aggravated misdemeanor to a class “C” felony depending on the nature of the assault. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than two years and a fine of at least $855 but not more than $8,540. The bill provides that harassment that occurs against an employee or contractor of a public utility while engaged in the performance of a public utility responsibility is harassment in the first degree. Harassment in the first degree is an aggravated misdemeanor.
House subcommittee
Named March 10, 2026. On March 11, 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
Fiscal note
Can’t be estimated Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill adds employees or contractors of public utilities to a list of occupations protected by enhanced penalties for assault and harassment. The fiscal impact to the state's General Fund, including costs for the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the Department of Corrections, cannot be determined because the number of new convictions cannot be estimated.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of the Bill cannot be determined because the number of new convictions under the Bill cannot be estimated. Figure 2 shows the average State cost per relevant offense. The estimated impact to the General Fund includes operating costs incurred by the Judicial Branch, the Indigent Defense Fund, and the DOC. The costs would be incurred across multiple fiscal years for prison and parole supervision.
- Assaults on Public Utility Workers · March 2, 2026
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
20 for · 0 against · 4 undecided · Who →
Family tree
91st General Assembly