Iowa's Lawmaking Process: From Bill To Be Enacted

The process of a bill becoming a law in Iowa is a complex one. It begins with an idea, which can come from anyone, from individual citizens to companies and special interest groups. The idea is then taken to a legislator, who will have a legislative service agency draft the bill. The bill is then sent to either the House or the Senate, where it is assigned a number and a standing committee within that chamber. The committee then assigns the bill to a subcommittee, which usually consists of three legislators. The subcommittee holds a hearing for the bill, during which lobbyists for special interest groups can voice their opinions. If the bill passes this stage, it moves on to a hearing with the full committee, where it is debated and amendments can be proposed. If the bill passes through the committee, it goes to the chamber (House or Senate) for a vote. If it passes this stage, it moves on to the other chamber, where the process starts over with subcommittee hearings, committee hearings, etc. For a bill to become a law, it must pass both chambers in identical form and be signed by the governor.

Bills are introduced by legislators, the governor's office, or the judicial branch

Bills can be introduced by legislators, the governor's office, or the judicial branch. Individual citizens, companies, and special interest groups can propose ideas for laws to their legislators, who will then have a legislative service agency draft the bill. The governor's office and executive branch agencies can also propose bills.

Once a bill is introduced, the Senate president or speaker of the House will assign it to a specific committee, which is a smaller group of legislators that focus on specific areas, such as education or public safety. The committee chairperson appoints a three-person subcommittee, which holds a hearing for the bill. During the subcommittee hearing, lobbyists for special interest groups can voice their opinions over the proposed legislation. At the end of the hearing, the proposed bill will either be passed through to the full committee or the bill dies.

If the bill passes through the subcommittee, there will be a hearing with the full committee. The committee debates the bill, and amendments can be proposed. Ultimately, the committee will vote to either send it to the full chamber or let the bill die. Lobbyists are typically not allowed to be present or speak in the committee meetings.

If the bill passes through the committee, it goes to the chamber (House or Senate). There, the bill is debated, and amendments can be proposed and are voted upon. Amendments to the bill must be approved by a majority vote. The bill will then be put up for a vote.

Bills are assigned to a committee, then a subcommittee

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a specific committee by the Senate president or the speaker of the House. This committee is a smaller group of legislators that focus on specific areas such as education or public safety. The committee then assigns the bill to a subcommittee, which usually consists of three legislators.

The subcommittee holds a hearing for the bill, during which lobbyists for special interest groups can voice their opinions on the proposed legislation. At the end of the hearing, the bill will either be passed through to the full committee or it will die. If the bill passes through the subcommittee, there will be a hearing with the full committee. The committee debates the bill, and amendments can be proposed. Ultimately, the committee will vote to either send it to the full chamber or let the bill die. Lobbyists are typically not allowed to be present or speak in committee meetings.

Bills must pass through a full committee hearing

Once a bill has been introduced, it is assigned to a specific committee by the Senate president or speaker of the House. This committee is a smaller group of legislators that focus on specific areas, such as education or public safety. The committee then assigns the bill to a subcommittee, which usually consists of three legislators.

The subcommittee holds a hearing for the bill, during which lobbyists for special interest groups can voice their opinions on the proposed legislation. At the end of the hearing, the bill will either be passed through to the full committee or it will die. If the bill passes through the subcommittee, there will be a hearing with the full committee. The committee debates the bill, and amendments can be proposed. Ultimately, the committee will vote to either send it to the full chamber or the bill will die. Lobbyists are typically not allowed to be present or speak in the committee meetings.

If the bill passes through the full committee, it goes to the chamber (House or Senate). There, the bill is debated, and amendments can be proposed and are voted upon. Amendments to the bill must be approved by a majority vote. The bill will then be put up for a vote.

Bills are voted on by the full body of lawmakers

Once a bill has been introduced and assigned to a committee, it must pass through a subcommittee and then be voted through the full committee. If a majority of those smaller groups of lawmakers approve, the bill goes to the floor, where the full body of lawmakers will vote. The majority party has discretion over which bills receive hearings and floor votes.

The bill will be debated, and amendments can be proposed and are voted upon. Amendments to the bill must be approved by a majority vote. The bill will then be put up for a vote. Lobbyists are not allowed in the chamber during voting, but they can attempt to influence legislators outside of the chamber beforehand.

If the bill passes with the required number of votes, it will then pass to the other chamber, where the process starts over with subcommittee hearings, committee hearings, etc. If the bill passes through the second chamber without amendment, it is sent to the governor. If it is amended, it must go back to the original chamber for approval of those amendments. If the original chamber does not approve of the amendments, a conference committee is appointed.

Bills are sent to the governor to be signed into law

Once a bill has been approved by both chambers of the Iowa Legislature in identical form, it is sent to the governor, who has three options: they can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action. If the governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If they veto it, the Legislature can override the veto if two-thirds of the members in each chamber vote to pass the bill again. If the governor takes no action for three days during the session, the bill automatically becomes law. This is similar to the process at the federal level, where a bill approved by both houses of Congress is sent to the president to be signed into law, or automatically becomes law if the president takes no action for ten days while Congress is in session.

The governor of Iowa is currently Kim Reynolds, a Republican. In 2023, the Iowa Legislature was also controlled by the Republican Party, which held majorities in both the House and the Senate. This gave the Republicans significant influence over which bills received hearings and floor votes.

The governor's office is one of several entities that can propose bills, along with legislators, the judicial branch, and executive branch agencies. Bills are drafted by a legislative service agency and then sent to either the House or the Senate, where they are assigned a number and referred to a standing committee. The committee then assigns the bill to a subcommittee, which usually consists of three legislators. The subcommittee holds a hearing, during which lobbyists for special interest groups can voice their opinions on the proposed legislation. If the bill passes this stage, it goes back to the full committee for debate and a vote. If it passes the committee, it goes to the chamber (House or Senate) for debate, amendments, and a vote. If it passes the chamber, the process starts over in the other chamber.

Frequently asked questions