All Roll Calls
Yes: 134 • No: 7
IowaSF 56391st General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate
A bill for an act relating to the licensure of crematory operators and funeral establishments, and making penalties applicable. (Formerly SF 198.) 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
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Iowa bans paid referrals for crematory business
Beginning July 1, 2026, funeral directors, crematory operators, and their agents face a ban on payments for securing crematory business. They cannot pay, offer, accept, or offer to accept money or anything of value as a commission or gratuity. Honest advertising and sales made under chapter 523A are exempt. Violations are simple misdemeanors. The ban may protect buyers from conflicted referrals, while providers face new restrictions and criminal penalties.
Iowa strengthens crematory licensing and oversight
Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa’s licensing board must set rules for licensing people who operate cremation establishments and crematory equipment. Applicants must complete a board-approved cremation course from a nationally recognized organization, except funeral directors receive licenses upon submitting the required application. The board can restrict, suspend, or revoke licenses, or place license holders on probation, with rules governing discipline and reinstatement. Grounds include knowingly misleading funeral-service buyers about important facts, related chapter 144 violations, knowingly helping unlawful funeral or crematory operations, and willful or repeated chapter 156 or rule violations. These changes strengthen buyer protections while adding training requirements and expanding discipline for operators.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/24/2026
Passed House
Yes: 89 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Passed Senate
Yes: 45 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor.
6/2/2026SenateReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/5/2026SenateExplanation of vote.
3/30/2026HouseMessage from House.
3/24/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/24/2026HousePassed House, yeas 89, nays 7.
3/24/2026HousePlaced on calendar.
3/19/2026HouseCommittee vote: Yeas, 21. Nays, 0. Excused, 2.
3/18/2026HouseCommittee report, recommending passage.
3/18/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends passage.
3/12/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/12/2026 8:00AM House Lounge 2.
3/10/2026HouseSubcommittee: Jeneary, Nielsen and Smith.
3/10/2026HouseRead first time, referred to State Government.
3/9/2026HouseMessage from Senate.
3/4/2026HouseImmediate message.
3/4/2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 45, nays 0.
3/4/2026SenatePlaced on calendar.
1/28/2026legislatureCommittee report, approving bill.
1/28/2026SenateSubcommittee recommends passage.
1/26/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/26/2026 12:00PM Room 315.
1/23/2026legislatureSubcommittee: Guth, Bisignano, and Westrich.
1/22/2026Senate* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
1/22/2026legislatureReferred to State Government.
6/16/2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill.
3/6/2025SenateIntroduced, placed on calendar.
3/6/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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