Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the rules of civil procedure, including remedies for the failure to meet discovery deadlines
Sponsored by Sen. Adrian Dickey (R)
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 18, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 20, 2025
- 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 Courts would no longer be allowed to change or skip deadlines for sharing evidence in lawsuits unless everyone involved agrees to it. If someone misses these deadlines, the court must charge them a fine and may require them to pay the other side's lawyer fees. These penalties are required and cannot be waived by a judge.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to enforcement of the Iowa rules of civil procedure discovery deadlines.517 (discovery and inspection) unless all parties agree to the waiver or extension. If a party fails to comply with a deadline, the bill requires the court to assess a civil penalty against the party for violation of the rules and if the nonoffending party would typically file a motion to compel to enforce the missed deadline, then reasonable attorney fees shall also be awarded. The bill prohibits a court from waiving civil penalties or awards under the bill. The bill also provides that civil penalties and fees shall be in addition to any other remedy the party may be entitled to.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 20, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.
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