BW INSIGHTS

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Four

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Kelsey R. Schott | 02.10.2026

Capitol Update As week four comes to a close, 864 bills have been filed this year. With only two weeks remaining until the first funnel deadline, a significant number of subcommittees are scheduled in the next two weeks as legislators work to advance priority legislation through committee. At the current pace, this session is on track to meet or... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Three

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Kelsey R. Schott | 02.02.2026

Capitol Update The third week of session was busy both at the Capitol and on the campaign trail. President Donald Trump visited Iowa, delivering a speech in Clive focused on affordability. Several members of the legislature attended the event, along with federal candidates currently seeking office. With less than six months until the 2026... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Two

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Kelsey R. Schott | 01.27.2026

Capitol Update The second week of the legislative session gained momentum despite the short week due to the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Today is the final deadline for individual members to request bills with the Legislative Services Agency. On Wednesday the first floor debate of the year took place on the House carbon... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week One

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Kelsey R. Schott | 01.21.2026

Capitol Update First Day. This year’s General Assembly began on Monday, January 12, 2026. The State Constitution dictates that session be held annually starting on the second Monday of January and the Iowa Code directs the General Assembly to convene at 10:00 a.m. The first day began with an Administrative Rules Committee meeting followed by each... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Sixteen

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 05.05.2025

Capitol Update The 110th day of session has passed without a sine die resolution. The House didn't debate at all this week. The Senate met and passed 22 bills. There are now 128 enrolled bills. The Governor signed 9 bills this week, bringing the total bills signed so far this session to 44. The legislative session will extend into next week and... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Fifteen

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 04.28.2025

Capitol Update The 110th day of the legislative session is next Friday, May 2nd. Old hands at the Capitol look for boxes on the floor of the House and Senate for legislators to pack their belongings in to take home at the end of session. No such sightings yet! The Senate passed 24 bills this week and the House passed 44 bills. So far this session,... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Fourteen

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 04.21.2025

Capitol Update Both the Senate and House had floor debate with the Senate passing 41 bills and the House passing 26 bills. So far this session, 79 bills have been enrolled - which means they have passed both the Senate and the House, have been signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, and are ready for the Governor’s... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Thirteen

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 04.14.2025

Capitol Update Breaking News. This morning, Governor Reynolds shared she will not seek reelection in 2026, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. Click here to watch her full announcement. This Week. The Senate debated Monday-Wednesday passing 30 bills. The House debated on Tuesday passing 8 bills. This is the time of year when a lot... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Twelve

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 04.07.2025

Capitol Update The second funnel is here and gone. Neither the House or Senate had floor debate this week, instead concentrating on subcommittees and Committee meetings. Next week (week 13) joint rules require that the Senate considers only House bills, House joint resolutions, and unfinished business and the House considers only Senate bills,... Read More

2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Eleven

By Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith | 03.31.2025

Capitol Update This Week. The days to the next funnel are dwindling. This week the Senate passed 30 bills on the floor and the House passed 49. Most of those bills will have to be pushed through the Committees on the other side by next Friday, April 4 or they will be ineligible for further consideration this session. New Representative Blaine... Read More