All Roll Calls
Yes: 135 • No: 6
IowaHF 95691st General Assembly (2025–2026)House
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
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Senior judges can serve longer
Beginning July 1, 2025, the senior judge retirement benchmark is 84, with possible one‑year reappointments up to age 86. The supreme court can assign a senior judge to temporary duty for up to 13 weeks each year without salary. The senior judge keeps the annuity, gets expense reimbursement, and may get a temporary court reporter. If assigned to the court of appeals or supreme court, the judge receives help from a law clerk and a secretary. Extra weeks need the judge’s consent, and assignment to the supreme court requires prior service there before retirement.
New rules and pay protections for court reporters
Beginning July 1, 2025, only certified shorthand reporters may use the title or be appointed as district court reporters, except for narrow temporary hires. The chief judge controls scheduling, assignments, approvals of hires, and removals for cause, and a presiding judge may direct a reporter’s work during a live proceeding. The chief judge may bring in temporary reporters for heavy workloads or when a regular reporter is ill. If no certified reporter can be found, a qualified uncertified reporter may serve up to one year but must become certified to be reappointed. If a judge leaves office and the vacancy can be filled, the appointed reporter keeps working as directed and keeps regular pay and benefits until a successor is chosen or reappointed. The law also repeals subsection 4 of Iowa Code section 602.1612.
Courts can hold hearings remotely
Beginning July 1, 2025, district courts may hold court at designated places or by remote communication. Cases without a jury may be heard in another place with all parties’ consent. Neighboring counties that share court costs count as one unit for handling matters. A pleading is filed on the date the clerk stamps it. The clerk must enter a new petition or order in the docket within two business days, and other filings as soon as possible.
Judges must live in their district
Beginning July 1, 2025, district judges, district associate judges, and full‑time associate juvenile and probate judges must live in the judicial election district or a neighboring county before taking office and for the whole term. They serve in the district tied to their residence, and the chief judge can reassign them under law. Magistrates must live in the county’s judicial election district or a neighboring county and can be sent to other counties for orderly court work. The law also repeals Iowa Code section 602.11110.
Higher judicial retirement and appointment ages
Beginning July 1, 2025, many Iowa judges have a higher mandatory retirement age of 78. A historic rule still keeps age 75 for certain justices and judges who held office on July 1, 1965. Nominating panels must choose lawyers who can serve an initial and one regular term before turning 78. New appointees to district associate, associate juvenile, and associate probate judge roles must be licensed in Iowa and able to finish the initial term before age 78. A person 78 or older cannot be appointed as a magistrate. These retirement changes apply to judicial officers who retire on or after July 1, 2025.
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.
5/19/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.
5/19/2025SenateMessage from Senate.
4/24/2025SenateImmediate message.
4/23/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 48, nays 0.
4/23/2025SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
4/10/2025legislaturePlaced on calendar.
4/3/2025legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
4/3/2025legislatureExplanation of vote.
4/3/2025legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
4/2/2025legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 04/02/2025 9:00AM Senate Lounge.
4/1/2025SenateSubcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Taylor.
4/1/2025legislatureRead first time, referred to Judiciary.
3/31/2025legislatureMessage from House.
3/31/2025HouseImmediate message.
3/27/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 87, nays 6.
3/27/2025HouseAmendment H-1135 adopted.
3/27/2025legislatureAmendment H-1135 filed.
3/19/2025legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
3/12/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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