All Roll Calls
Yes: 134 • No: 7
IowaSF 56391st General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET
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
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
No kickbacks on funeral or cremation
Beginning 07/01/2026, funeral directors and crematory operators may not pay, offer, ask for, or accept commissions or gifts to secure business. Honest advertising is allowed. Sales made under chapter 523A are not covered. A violation is a simple misdemeanor.
Stricter licensing for cremation establishments
Beginning 07/01/2026, cremation establishments must pay a board‑set fee and file a sworn application. The form must list ownership, location, staff license numbers, trade or corporate name, and the operator or funeral director in charge. False sworn applications carry the same penalties as any false affidavit.
Tougher discipline for funeral and cremation
Beginning 07/01/2026, the board can restrict, suspend, revoke, or put licenses on probation. Discipline can follow for lying to buyers, violating chapter 144, helping someone practice or operate unlawfully, or willful or repeated rule violations. The board sets reinstatement conditions by rule. It is also illegal to aid or allow unlawful crematory operations, including letting someone use crematory equipment.
New licenses for crematory operators
Beginning 07/01/2026, Iowa licenses crematory operators. To get a license, you must finish a board‑approved cremation course from a nationally recognized organization. The board sets the rules and application form. If you are a licensed funeral director, the board issues you a crematory operator license when you file the board’s application. This adds training for new operators but a simpler path for funeral directors.
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.
6/2/2026GovernorReported correctly enrolled, signed by President and Speaker, and sent to Governor.
5/5/2026SenateExplanation of vote.
3/30/2026legislatureMessage from House.
3/24/2026HouseImmediate message.
3/24/2026legislaturePassed House, yeas 89, nays 7.
3/24/2026HousePlaced on calendar.
3/19/2026legislatureCommittee vote: Yeas, 21. Nays, 0. Excused, 2.
3/18/2026legislatureCommittee report, recommending passage.
3/18/2026legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
3/12/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/12/2026 8:00AM House Lounge 2.
3/10/2026HouseSubcommittee: Jeneary, Nielsen and Smith.
3/10/2026legislatureRead first time, referred to State Government.
3/9/2026legislatureMessage from Senate.
3/4/2026SenateImmediate message.
3/4/2026legislaturePassed Senate, yeas 45, nays 0.
3/4/2026SenatePlaced on calendar.
1/28/2026legislatureCommittee report, approving bill.
1/28/2026legislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
1/26/2026legislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/26/2026 12:00PM Room 315.
1/23/2026legislatureSubcommittee: Guth, Bisignano, and Westrich.
1/22/2026legislature* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
1/22/2026legislatureReferred to State Government.
6/16/2025legislatureCommittee report, approving bill.
3/6/2025legislatureIntroduced, placed on calendar.
3/6/2025legislature
Bill Text
As Introduced
Enrolled
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