All Roll Calls
Yes: 221 • No: 1
IowaHF 249091st General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET
A bill for an act relating to public meetings and records, including public notice requirements for meetings of a governmental body, supervision and fees associated with examining and copying public records, employment separation information for certain government employees, contractors, or appointees, and injunctions to restrain vexatious requesters. (Formerly HSB 578.) Effective date: 07/01/2026.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT
Signed by Governor
state government
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Easier public records access, tighter fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa records offices must fill copy requests made in writing, by phone, or electronically. They cannot require you to appear in person, and an authorized staff member may supervise access. Offices must make every reasonable effort to charge only copying costs for records taking less than 30 minutes to produce. Supervision fees must be reasonable, and copying charges cannot exceed reasonable costs directly tied to supervising, making, and providing copies. Ordinary office overhead cannot be included; legal fees are limited to reviewing or removing legally protected confidential information. Offices must communicate reasonable necessary expenses when they receive the request, and you can challenge those expenses.
Free records for veterans benefit claims
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa county recorders cannot charge to examine or copy records needed for veterans benefit claims. The records must be necessary to complete and file a claim with Iowa or U.S. Veterans Affairs. Records unrelated to the claim do not qualify.
Clearer public notices for government meetings
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa government bodies must give public notice of meetings, including reconvened meetings. Notices must state the time, date, place, and tentative agenda and reach news media that requested notice. Bodies must post notices in a prominent place they designate annually and on their primary website or online presence, when applicable. Agenda changes made within the law's notice timeframe must be marked “AMENDED,” identify the changes, and receive the same notice treatment.
More disclosure of government departure payments
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa government bodies must disclose more information about covered people who resign or are discharged. Disclosures include the last date they worked or actively carried out their position's essential duties. They also include continued pay, severance, and other compensation or benefits beyond amounts owed for work before their last day. Disclosure is required whether or not the details appear in a written document, contract, agreement, or arrangement.
Court limits and protections for records requesters
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa district courts can bar a person's access to one government body's records or limit requests. The body must support its petition with an affidavit and clear and convincing evidence, give reasonable notice, and receive a hearing. Courts must find a pattern of abusive requests that, taken together, clearly lack a public interest. They must also find that continued requests threaten substantial, irreparable harm to government duties and that less restrictive measures are inadequate. Abuse includes requests mainly meant to harass, unreasonable burdens substantially disrupting essential operations, or requests accompanied by legally defined harassment. Many requests alone—even from news media—do not establish abuse, and courts must weigh the policy favoring open records. If the court finds it more likely than not that the requester was not abusive, the government must pay all costs and reasonable lawyer fees, including appeal fees.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/22/2026
Passed House
Yes: 89 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/20/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 44 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
Passed House
Yes: 88 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
5/15/2026HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/6/2026HouseExplanation of vote.
5/1/2026HouseMessage from House.
4/22/2026SenateImmediate message.
4/22/2026HousePassed House, yeas 89, nays 0.
4/22/2026HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendment H-8389.
4/22/2026HouseSenate amendment H-8389 filed.
4/20/2026HouseMessage from Senate.
4/20/2026HouseImmediate message.
4/20/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 44, nays 0.
4/20/2026SenateAmendment S-5116 adopted, as amended.
4/20/2026SenateAmendment S-5193 to S-5116 filed, adopted.
4/20/2026SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
3/26/2026SenatePlaced on calendar.
3/19/2026legislatureAmendment S-5116 filed.
3/19/2026SenateCommittee report, recommending amendment and passage.
3/19/2026SenateSubcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
3/5/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/05/2026 11:30AM Room 315.
3/4/2026legislatureSubcommittee: Salmon, Townsend, and Webster.
2/26/2026SenateRead first time, referred to State Government.
2/24/2026SenateMessage from House.
2/24/2026SenateImmediate message.
2/23/2026HousePassed House, yeas 88, nays 1.
2/23/2026HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/16/2026House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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