A bill for an act creating a specialty business court, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 570, SSB 1203.) Effective date: 09/01/2026.

New Iowa court for business disputes

Beginning September 1, 2026, Iowa establishes a statewide Business Court with two full-time judges. It shares authority with district courts over qualifying business disputes claiming at least $200,000 in compensatory damages. Qualifying cases mainly seeking a court order or a ruling on legal rights also qualify without that dollar threshold. Covered disputes include business contracts, ownership, shareholder claims, banking, intellectual property, trade secrets, noncompete agreements, securities, and business-related wrongdoing. Commercial property cases qualify, but residential landlord-tenant disputes and foreclosures do not. Government cases qualify only when the government entity requests or expressly agrees to use the court. Personal injury or death claims, and claims under Iowa Code section 714.16 or chapters 633 and 633A, require agreement from all parties and a Business Court judge. Professional-negligence claims qualify only when the underlying transaction falls within the court’s authority. Eligible new cases can be filed directly or moved from district court by motion. Earlier pending cases can move only if the parties agree. Cases or claims outside the court’s authority can be sent to district court or dismissed without blocking a later filing. The court can keep portions it has authority to hear. Jury trials generally stay in the original filing county for transferred cases; directly filed cases use a county where filing was allowed. A different county requires agreement from the parties and judge. Appeals follow district court appeal procedures. Judges generally must issue written opinions on legal questions, except when precedent is well developed or an opinion adds no meaningful legal guidance. The Iowa Supreme Court oversees operations, and judges receive district judge pay and face retention elections. By January 1, 2029, the judicial branch must report on case timing, costs, fees collected, court use, appeals, and participant feedback.