Iowa
3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t
The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
What is Iowa’s legislative ‘funnel’ and how does it work? (2026)
The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.
The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.
What Iowa bills missed the cut?
Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.
What Iowa bills made the cut?
Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.
What big issues are hung up?
Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.
“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”
What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?
If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.
Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.