All Roll Calls
Yes: 135 • No: 6
IowaHF 95691st General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET
A bill for an act relating to judicial branch administration, including judicial officer residency, judicial officer retirement age, remote proceedings, court reporter supervision and duties, and civil pleadings availability, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 259.) Effective date: 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Signed by Governor
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Iowa court filings face fewer delays
Beginning July 1, 2025, filed pleadings no longer must stay in the clerk’s office until a docket note is made. Clerks must mark each pleading with the date received. They must make the docket note within two business days after a new petition or order is filed. For other pleadings, they must make the note as soon as practicable.
Iowa court reporters get centralized oversight
Beginning July 1, 2025, district chief judges or their designees supervise court reporters, schedule their work, and assign duties. District judges appoint reporters with chief-judge approval; chief judges may delegate general supervision to district court administrators. Presiding judges may supervise reporters while they report a proceeding. An uncertified reporter may serve for up to one year only during a vacancy or disability, after a verified, unsuccessful search for a certified reporter. Reappointment requires certification during that appointment. Reporters must record evidence and proceedings when a party requests it in a civil or criminal case.
Iowa courts can hold proceedings remotely
Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa courts may hold proceedings remotely instead of at designated locations in each county. Courts do not have to offer remote proceedings. Parties may still agree to hold nonjury cases, special proceedings, and other matters elsewhere in the judicial district.
Iowa judges get broader residency options
Beginning July 1, 2025, district judges may live in their judicial election district or a bordering county before taking office. They serve in their appointment district but no longer must live there throughout their terms. District associate and full-time associate juvenile and probate judges must meet the broader residency rule before and during service. Magistrates must live in their district or a bordering county during their terms. Retention elections for associate, juvenile, and probate judges take place in their appointment district.
Iowa judges get higher age limits
Beginning July 1, 2025, judicial appointment age limits rise from 72 to 78, and senior judges’ retirement age rises from 78 to 84. Judicial nominees must have time for an initial and one regular term before turning 78. Associate juvenile and probate appointees must finish their initial terms before 78; magistrates must be under 78 when appointed. The Iowa Supreme Court may grant eligible senior judges one-year terms at 84 and 85, allowing service until 86. Those extensions remain discretionary and subject to statutory reappointment requirements.
Court reporters lose vacancy pay protection
Beginning July 1, 2025, Iowa removes a specific guarantee of regular salary and benefits for court reporters during judicial vacancies. It covered vacancies eligible to be filled after the appointing judge died, resigned, retired, was removed, became disabled, or lost retention. The protection lasted until a successor judge was appointed or the reporter was reappointed. Removing it does not itself set replacement pay or require a pay cut.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
Passed House
Yes: 87 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
5/19/2025HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/19/2025HouseMessage from Senate.
4/24/2025HouseImmediate message.
4/23/2025SenatePassed Senate, yeas 48, nays 0.
4/23/2025SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
4/10/2025SenatePlaced on calendar.
4/3/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
4/3/2025SenateExplanation of vote.
4/3/2025HouseSubcommittee recommends passage.
4/2/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 04/02/2025 9:00AM Senate Lounge.
4/1/2025SenateSubcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Taylor.
4/1/2025SenateRead first time, referred to Judiciary.
3/31/2025SenateMessage from House.
3/31/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/27/2025HousePassed House, yeas 87, nays 6.
3/27/2025HouseAmendment H-1135 adopted.
3/27/2025HouseAmendment H-1135 filed.
3/19/2025HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar.
3/12/2025House
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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