IowaGovernor would be barred from regulating worship places and practices
The signed text would limit the governor's emergency authority over worship, private homes, elections, vaccinations, and lawful private business operations.
What it does
The governor would not be allowed to close, impose mandates on, or otherwise regulate worship places or practices, even during a disaster or public health emergency.
During a state disaster emergency, measures could not change election rules without legislative approval, regulate conduct in private homes, or require vaccination.
During a public health disaster, the governor could ask a private business to stop lawful operations but could not require the business to close.
Argument forThese limits could protect worship, home life, voting rules, and lawful businesses from emergency orders issued without the listed safeguards.
Argument againstThe limits may reduce the governor's ability to respond quickly to a public health emergency affecting worship places, homes, or businesses.
More detail
The governor would not be allowed to close, mandate rules for, or otherwise regulate a place or practice of worship. This covers a building where an active congregation worships and the congregation's worship practices. The restriction would apply for any reason, including during a disaster emergency or public health disaster.
A measure issued during a state disaster emergency would not be allowed to change election rules without legislative approval, regulate conduct in a private home, or require vaccination. These limits would apply to measures issued during a state disaster emergency. Changing established election laws, policies, or regulations would require prior approval from the General Assembly. The text does not bar election-related measures that do not change established rules. The limits would apply after the governor proclaims a state disaster emergency and while that emergency continues.
During a public health disaster, the governor could recommend that a private business stop its lawful operations but could not require it to do so. This applies to private businesses operating in Iowa during a state disaster emergency that is also a public health disaster. The business must be operating lawfully. The governor may recommend stopping operations but may not require it. The provision would apply while the state disaster emergency constitutes a public health disaster.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.Became Law
- May 13Reported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.To Governor
- May 3Immediate message.
- May 3Passed Senate, yeas 31, nays 14.Major
- May 3Senate receded.
- May 2Message from Senate.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Upper
- May 2Message from House.
- May 2Immediate message.
- May 2House refused to concur in H-8438.
- Apr 30Senate amendment H-8438 filed.Minor
- Apr 30Message from Senate.
- Apr 29Immediate message.
- Vote recorded Shall amendment S-5123 be adopted? Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 29Passed Senate, yeas 30, nays 15.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 29Amendment S-5230 filed, adopted.Major
- Apr 29Amendment S-5123 adopted, as amended.Major
- Apr 29Amendment S-5234 to S-5123 filed, adopted.
- Apr 29Point of order raised on S-5123, ruled in order.
- Mar 26Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
- Mar 23Amendment S-5123 filed.Minor
- Mar 23Committee report, recommending amendment and passage.Minor
- Mar 17Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
- Mar 12Subcommittee Meeting: 03/17/2026 10:00AM Room 315.
- Mar 12Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Bisignano, and Schultz.
- Mar 10Read first time, referred to State Government.Minor
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Message from House.
- Mar 10Immediate message.
- Mar 10Passed House, yeas 67, nays 23.Passed 1st Chamber
- Mar 10Amendment H-8186 adopted.Major
- Mar 9Amendment H-8186 filed.Minor
- Feb 23Introduced, placed on calendar.Introduced
Government & EthicsPublic SafetyCivil Rights & Voting