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ARTICLE · 16 MARCH 2026

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Eight

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The Iowa Legislature continued floor debate this week, taking up several high-profile policy measures, including a "tough-on-crime" package which cleared the Iowa House on Wednesday.

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Matthew H. McKinney
Matthew H. McKinney
R.G. Schwarm
R.G. Schwarm
Kelsey Schott
Kelsey Schott

Capitol Update

The Iowa Legislature continued floor debate this week, taking up several high-profile policy measures, including a "tough-on-crime" package which cleared the Iowa House on Wednesday. The package includes HF 2542, which establishes a "three strikes" system for certain crimes. Under the bill, individuals who accumulate three points, assigned for felony or aggravated misdemeanor charges, would face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years. Rep. Steven Holt (R - Crawford), the bill's floor manager, said that the measure is intended to ensure people who repeatedly commit lawless actions will be removed from society and incarcerated. The bill was amended to remove theft, harassment, and possession of a controlled substance as qualifying offenses following discussions with other stakeholder organizations. The measure ultimately passed the House 68-23.

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