The guide
Iowa government, in plain English
How the Legislature makes laws, how elections work, and what all the jargon means. No civics degree required.
The two-minute version
- Iowa’s Legislature, the General Assembly, has 100 Representatives and 50 Senators. It meets every year from January into spring.
- A bill has to get through a subcommittee, a committee and a vote of the whole chamber, then do it all again in the other chamber, then get the Governor’s signature.
- Two deadlines each spring, the funnels, knock out most bills that haven’t moved far enough.
- Representatives are elected every two years; Senators every four. Primaries are in June and the general election in November of even-numbered years.
- Anyone can go to a subcommittee meeting, contact their legislators, and see which organizations lobby for or against a bill.
Chapters
The LegislatureWho's in charge, caucuses and committees, a session start to finish, and how an idea becomes a law.Bills & amendmentsWhat HF, SSB and HJR mean, how bills change, and how the Constitution is amended.On the floorVotes, calendars, motions and the end-of-session scramble.The funnelThe two deadlines that decide which bills are still alive.The budgetHow the state decides what to spend: the fiscal year, revenue estimates, budget bills and the rules that limit them.ElectionsWho's on the ballot, primaries, special elections, and how results become official.Money & lobbyingCampaign finance reports, and how lobbyists register for and against bills.Code, costs & scoresThe Iowa Code, fiscal notes, and how Funnel works out what’s moving, report cards and who votes alike.Taking partHow to speak at a subcommittee, send a written comment, and reach your legislators.GlossaryEvery odd phrase you'll see in a bill's history, in plain English.
Where you can take part
Go to a subcommittee meeting
They’re open to the public and usually take comments. Notice is short, often a day, which is why Funnel alerts you right away.
Contact your legislators
You have one Representative and one Senator. Find yours. A short message that names the bill number goes a long way.
Watch the debate
Floor sessions and many committee meetings are streamed. Video is linked from each bill’s official history.
Vote, every time
Primaries often decide who wins a seat, and turnout is low. How elections work.