All Roll Calls
Yes: 149 • No: 82
IowaSF 31191st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
A bill for an act relating to city civil service employees and related procedures and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1010.) Effective date: 08/16/2025.
Sponsored By: COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Extra rights and fee help for officers
Beginning August 16, 2025, employees who are “officers” under section 80F.1(1)(f) can request documents and records from the appointing authority that matter to cause and whether the punishment fits, unless another law bars release. On appeal, the district court may award reasonable attorney fees, expert fees, and costs to these officers only when they are fully reinstated after termination without discipline, their suspension is cut by more than 50%, or a demotion is reversed.
Stronger hearing and evidence rights for city workers
Beginning August 16, 2025, civil service discipline must be for just cause. The city must prove the conduct and that the penalty is proportionate. After written charges, the commission sets a hearing within 10 days and holds it 5–20 days later, usually during business hours. Both sides exchange evidence in advance, cannot hide helpful evidence, and share subpoenas and produced materials; city exhibits use numbers and employee exhibits use letters. Hearings are public, but in cities under 200,000, workers can request closed deliberations. The commission issues a majority, written decision with findings within 30 days after the record closes and may use outside counsel if a conflict exists, paid by the city.
Immediate discipline with written reasons allowed
Beginning August 16, 2025, a chief or other appointing authority may remove, demote, or suspend a subordinate right away. They must give the employee written reasons that are reasonable and just, showing a law or policy was broken or the conduct is likely harmful to the public. Other rights in law still apply.
Cities barred from citizen review boards
Beginning August 16, 2025, any city with a civil service commission cannot create or run a citizen board to review officer conduct as defined in law. Local ordinances, resolutions, or other actions to set up such boards are not allowed.
Court appeals in 30 days, no retrial
Beginning August 16, 2025, you or the city must file any court appeal of a commission decision within 30 days. The district court reviews the record and does not hold a new trial or take new evidence.
Hiring lists capped at 40 names
Beginning August 16, 2025, civil service hiring lists stay capped at 40 names. Only the top 40 applicants remain eligible on a list.
Big cities set commission size by ordinance
Beginning August 16, 2025, cities with more than 75,000 people set the number of civil service commissioners by ordinance. The number must be at least 3 and no more than 7.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/17/2025
Amendment H-1246
Yes: 31 • No: 61
House vote • 4/17/2025
Passed House
Yes: 81 • No: 12
Senate vote • 3/17/2025
Passed Senate
Yes: 37 • No: 9
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
5/19/2025GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/19/2025SenateExplanation of vote.
4/24/2025legislatureMessage from House.
4/21/2025HouseImmediate message.
4/17/2025legislaturePassed House, yeas 81, nays 12.
4/17/2025HouseAmendment H-1246, yeas 31, nays 61, filed, lost.
4/17/2025legislatureSubstituted for HF 641.
4/17/2025legislaturePlaced on calendar under unfinished business.
4/3/2025legislatureRead first time, passed on file.
3/18/2025legislatureMessage from Senate.
3/17/2025SenateImmediate message.
3/17/2025legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 37, nays 9.
3/17/2025SenateAmendment S-3008 adopted.
3/17/2025legislatureAmendment S-3022 filed, adopted.
3/17/2025legislatureAmendment S-3008 filed.
2/25/2025legislatureCommittee report, approving bill.
2/13/2025legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
2/13/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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