Iowa State Senate

Iowa State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 13, 2025
Session end:	April 22, 2025
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$25,000/year + per diem
Members
Total:	50
Democrats:	15
Republicans:	34
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
President:	Amy Sinclair (R)
Maj. Leader:	Jack Whitver (R)
Min. Leader:	Janice Weiner
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Iowa State Senate is the upper chamber of the Iowa General Assembly. Alongside the Iowa House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Iowa state government and works alongside the governor of Iowa to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Iowa State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Iowa State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Des Moines, Iowa.

Twenty-five seats out of the chamber's 50 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 34-16 to 35-15.

Thirty-four[1] seats out of the state Senate's 50 seats were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 32-18 to 34-16.

Iowa has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Iowa State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Iowa State Senate as of February 2025:

Party	As of February 2025
	Democratic Party	15
	Republican Party	34
	Other	0
	Vacancies	1
Total	50

Members

Leadership

The Senate elects a president and president pro tempore from its members. The duties of the president include referring bills to committee, preserving order, and making procedural rulings. The president pro tempore presides over the Senate in the absence of the president.^[2]

Leadership and members

• Senate president: Amy Sinclair (R)
• President Pro Tem: Ken Rozenboom
• Majority leader: Jack Whitver (R)
• Minority leader: Janice Weiner

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024[3]
Salary	Per diem
$25,000/year	$178/day for legislators who live outside of Polk County. $133.50/day for legislators who live within Polk County.

Swearing in dates

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Iowa state senators assume office on the first day of January which is not a Sunday or legal holiday.^[4][5]

Membership qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

The Iowa Constitution states, "Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same time and place as representatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age, and possess the qualifications of representatives as to residence and citizenship."^[6]

Historical party control

Republicans won control of the Iowa State Senate in 2016. In 2024, they won a 34-16 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Iowa Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Iowa State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	26	27	21	20	20	21	25*	30	32	27	26	26	20	18	18	16	15
Republicans	24	23	29	30	30	29	25*	20	18	23	23	24	29	31	32	34	35

*The parties entered into a power-sharing agreement to accommodate the evenly-divided chamber.

Before 1992

The Iowa State Senate switched partisan control 10 times from 1900 to 2022.

Trifecta history

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Iowa was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2007-2010
• Republican trifecta: 1997-1998, 2017-2023
• Divided government: 1992-1996, 1999-2006, 2011-2016

Iowa Party Control: 1992-2025
Four years of Democratic trifectas  •  Eleven years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Elections

Elections by year

Iowa state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Iowa holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Iowa State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Iowa State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 4, 2024. The filing deadline was March 15, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Iowa State Senate from 33-16 with one vacancy to 34-15 with one vacancy.

Iowa State Senate
Party	As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	16	15
	Republican Party	33	34
	Vacancy	1	1
Total	50	50

2022

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Iowa State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 18, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Iowa State Senate from 32-18 to 34-16.

Iowa State Senate
Party	As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	18	16
	Republican Party	32	34
Total	50	50

2020

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 13, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans retained their 32-18 majority in the Iowa State Senate.

Iowa State Senate
Party	As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	18	18
	Republican Party	32	32
Total	50	50

2018

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Iowa State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on June 5, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 16, 2018.

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Iowa State Senate from 29-20 to 32-18.

Iowa State Senate
Party	As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	20	18
	Republican Party	29	32
	Independent	1	0
Total	50	50

2016

See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Iowa State Senate were held in 2016. The primary election took place on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 18, 2016. A total of 25 seats out of the 50 seats in the Iowa State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Republicans won control of the Iowa State Senate, securing a GOP trifecta in the state. Democrats held a three-seat majority in the chamber prior to the election.^[7] Republicans picked up six seats, giving them a nine-seat majority.

Iowa State Senate
Party	As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	25	20
	Republican Party	23	29
	Independent	1	1
	Vacancy	1	0
Total	50	50

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Iowa State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 14, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 26-24 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Iowa State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 26 26      Republican Party 24 24 Total 50 50 2012 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 16, 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 26-24 majority. Democrats gained no seats in the election, giving them a 26-23 majority with one vacancy. Iowa State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 26 26      Republican Party 24 23      Vacancy 0 1 Total 50 50 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Iowa State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 28 Michael Breitbach 0.1% 29,700 John Beard District 26 Mary Jo Wilhelm 0.4% 30,934 Merlin Bartz District 48 Dan Zumbach 1.7% 32,273 Nate Willems District 30 Jeff Danielson 2.1% 33,211 Matt Reisetter District 4 Dennis Guth 5.7% 30,332 Bob Jennings District 42 Rich Taylor 6% 29,735 Larry Kruse District 32 Brian Schoenjahn 6.5% 30,684 Elliott Henderson District 46 Chris Brase 6.7% 29,910 Shawn Hamerlinck District 36 Steven Sodders 8.2% 29,093 Jane A. Jech District 49 Rita Hart 9.2% 31,703 Andrew Naeve 2010 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 19, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 32-18 majority. Democrats lost five seats in the election, giving them a 27-23 majority. Iowa State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 32 27      Republican Party 18 23 Total 50 50 In 2010, a total of $5,058,528 was raised in campaign contributions by those running for state Senate. The top donors were:[8] 2010 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Democratic Party $1,540,045 Iowa Republican Party $607,907 Iowans for Tax Relief $112,250 Associated General Contractors of Iowa $89,750 Iowa Credit Union League $80,000 Iowa Dental Association $71,550 Iowa Bankers Association $69,500 Iowa Farm Bureau $66,779 Iowa Healthcare Association $66,250 Butler County Republican Central Cmte $61,300 2008 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 3, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,045,502. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2008 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Senate Democratic Majority Fund $1,197,175 Iowa Republican Party $380,724 Iowa Democratic Party $254,129 Iowa State Education Association $189,025 Associated General Contractors Of Iowa $113,750 Iowa Credit Union League $102,250 Iowans For Tax Relief $78,500 Master Builders Of Iowa $74,000 Iowa Dental Association $69,428 Iowa Bankers Association $68,364 2006 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 6, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,456,412. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2006 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Republican Party $904,869 Iowa Senate Democratic Majority Fund $872,628 Iowa Democratic Party $639,997 Associated General Contractors Of Iowa $130,250 Hawkeye PAC $85,000 Iowa Republican Party & Its Eisenhower Club $80,982 Iowans For Tax Relief $77,900 Cownie, James S $72,100 Iowa Bankers Association $68,850 Forward Together Pac $66,000 2004 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 8, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $7,217,102. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2004 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Democratic Party $1,569,820 Iowa Republican Party $1,016,589 Hawkeye PAC $123,000 Taxpayers United $122,850 Iowa Association Of Realtors $103,400 Associated General Contractors Of Iowa $101,675 International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers $82,650 Iowa Trial Lawyers Association $65,850 Iowa Bankers Association $59,904 Democracy For America $53,000 2002 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 4, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,266,190. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2002 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Democratic Party $424,611 Iowa Republican Party $193,390 Iowa Republican Party & Its Eisenhower Club $111,856 Associated General Contractors Of Iowa $93,450 Taxpayers United $77,150 Effective Government Cmte $74,000 Iowa State Education Association $69,650 Iowa Association Of Realtors $52,650 Master Builders Of Iowa $36,750 Service Employees $36,100 2000 See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 6, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,079,038. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2000 Donors, Iowa State Senate Donor Amount Iowa Democratic Party $450,276 Iowa Republican Party $324,115 Iowa Republican Party & Its Eisenhower Club $143,200 Associated General Contractors Of Iowa $94,069 Taxpayers United $57,300 Iowa State Education Association $53,150 Taxpayers United $47,750 Master Builders Of Iowa $43,750 Iowa Federation Of Labor AFL-CIO $35,100 Iowa Association Of Realtors $31,550

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Iowa General Assembly, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. The governor of Iowa is required within five days of a vacancy in the General Assembly to call for a special election. If the vacancy happens in session or within 45 days of the session convening, the governor must call for an election as soon as possible with at least an 18-day notice. All other special elections require a 40-day notice as long the election does not happen on the same day as a school election within the district.^[14]

See sources: Iowa Code § 69.14

District map

See also: Iowa state legislative districts

The state of Iowa has 150 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 50 districts and the state House has 100 districts.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Iowa

The Legislative Services Agency prepares redistricting plans for approval by the Iowa State Legislature. According to All About Redistricting, the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) consists of "civil servants committed to nonpartisanship and otherwise charged with tasks like legal and fiscal analysis of state legislation and state government oversight." The LSA is assisted by a commission, which consists of the following members:^[15]

1. one member selected by the majority leader of the Iowa State Senate
2. one member selected by the majority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives
3. one member selected by the minority leader of the Iowa State Senate
4. one member selected by the minority leader of the Iowa House of Representatives
5. one member selected by the first four members

The members of this commission cannot "hold partisan public office or an office in a political party, and none may be a relative or employee of a federal or state legislator (or the legislature as a whole)."^[15]

Working with this commission, the LSA drafts congressional and state legislative district lines. The maps are presented as a single bill to the state legislature, which may approve or reject the bill without altering it (the legislature can provide feedback). If the legislature rejects the plan, the LSA must draft a second proposal. If the legislature rejects the second proposal, the LSA must draft a third, and final, set of maps. If the legislature rejects this plan, it may then approve its own maps. Since the implementation of this process in 1980, the state legislature has never chosen not to approve an LSA proposal. Redistricting plans are also subject to gubernatorial veto. In addition, the legislature may repeal or revise the maps at any time, though it has never done so.^[15]

State law establishes the following criteria for both congressional and state legislative districts:^[15]

1. Districts must be "convenient and contiguous."
2. Districts must "preserve the integrity of political subdivisions like counties and cities."
3. Districts must "to the extent consistent with other requirements, [be] reasonably compact–defined in terms of regular polygons, comparisons of length and width, and overall boundary perimeter."

In addition, state House districts are required to be contained within state Senate districts "where possible, and where not in conflict with the criteria above." It is explicit in state law that district lines cannot be drawn "to favor a political party, incumbent, or other person or group."^[15]

2020

See also: Redistricting in Iowa after the 2020 census

On November 4, 2021, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed new congressional and state legislative maps into law after the state's Legislative Services Agency had proposed them on October 21, 2021. The Iowa legislature approved the maps on October 28, 2021, by a vote of 48-1 in the state Senate and 93-2 in the state House.^[16] The legislature could only vote to approve or reject the maps and could not make any amendments. These maps took effect for Iowa's 2022 congressional and legislative elections.

District map before and after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010

See also: Redistricting in Iowa after the 2010 census

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa's population increased 4.1 percent between 2000 and 2010, growing to 3.05 million. This rate was less than half of the national growth rate of roughly 10 percent between 2000 and 2010.^[17] Due to this slow growth, the U.S. Census Bureau determined that Iowa would be represented by four members of the U.S. House of Representatives, rather than the five seats Iowa had during the 2000-2010 decade.^[18] Most of Iowa's growth occurred in the urban and suburban areas of the state, while most of the rural counties grew slowly or lost population.^[19]

On March 31, 2011, the Iowa Legislative Service Agency released its first map. The map paired two incumbent Republicans in one U.S. House district and two incumbent Democrats in another U.S. House district. The map also created 7 potential incumbent versus incumbent combinations in the State Senate elections and seven districts without incumbents. The State House map created 14 vacant districts and 14 potential incumbent versus incumbent races.^[20] The Iowa State Senate passed the plan 48 to 1, and the House of Representatives approved the plan 90 to 7.^[21]

The new State House districts varied from the ideal population count by no more than 1.93 percent, or less than a 300-resident deviation from the target for the least accurate district.^[22]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Iowa State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Iowa by year

2025

See also: 2025 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025, and adjourn on April 22, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also: 2024 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on April 20, 2024. 2023 See also: 2023 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on May 4, 2023. 2022 See also: 2022 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on May 24, 2022. 2021 See also: 2021 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on May 19, 2021. 2020 See also: 2020 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on June 14, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Iowa State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 16, 2020, through June 3, 2020. The suspension was initially scheduled to last through April 15, 2020. It was subsequently extended further, first to April 30, 2020, then to May 15, 2020, and then to June 3, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 14, 2020.[23][24] 2019 See also: 2019 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through April 27, 2019. 2018 See also: 2018 Iowa legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2018, through May 5, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017 See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2017, through April 22, 2017. 2016 See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 11 through April 29. 2015 See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 5 (extended session). Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included road funding, state budget, income tax cuts, broadband expansion, school calendars, local option sales taxes, medical marijuana, eminent domain, banning traffic cameras, and a sales tax increase.[25] 2014 See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 13 through May 2. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included cutting the state income tax, increasing the gas tax, and a minimum wage increase.[26] 2013 See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to May 23. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included education reform, providing healthcare for low-income and other uninsured residents, and a tax relief package that sought to lower property taxes.[27] 2012 See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 9. 2011 See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the General Assembly was in session from January 10 through July 1. The legislature had an extended session due to concerns on how to reduce commercial property taxes. House Republicans favored a 25 percent reduction in commercial property tax rates, while Senate Democrats proposed a tax credit that would be paid directly to the owners of the commercial properties.[28] During the extended session, legislators did not receive per diem. Iowa legislative rules allow lawmakers to receive per diem for a maximum of 100 days in even numbered years, and 110 days in odd numbered years. The 110th calendar day of the 2011 session was April 30. The rules may be amended at any time to extend the legislative session. Session highlights Budget Iowa ended its 2011 fiscal year with $54.5 million in revenue collections above estimated figures, an increase of six percent over fiscal 2010. The six percent increase was one percent higher than expected.[29] As a whole, Iowa collected $329.3 million more in revenue than it did in 2010.[29] School funding A disagreement over state spending on public schools ended in compromise, with Democrats agreeing to a Republican-proposed two percent increase in spending (equivalent to about $60 million) for FY 2012. The Senate approved the plan by a vote of 26-19 and the House by 56-39. Though Democrats had originally asked for a three percent overall increase in funding, they secured an extra $24 million for preschool programs in exchange for their support for the Republican plan.[30] No property tax reform Lawmakers failed to agree on reforms to the state's property tax system. House Republicans called for across-the-board property tax cuts, while Democrats sought to limit tax concessions to small businesses.[31] At the time, Iowa collected commercial property taxes based on 100 percent of a property's assessed value, a considerably higher level than in neighboring states; in Missouri, for instance, taxes were only calculated based on 33.3% of a property's value. 2010 See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the General Assembly was in session from January 11th to March 30th.

About legislative sessions in Iowa

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[32] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

The Legislative Department of the Iowa Constitution establishes when the Iowa General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of the article states that the General Assembly is to convene its regular session on the second Monday of January of each year. The General Assembly can also be called into special session by a proclamation of the Governor of Iowa or by a written request of two-thirds of both houses of the General Assembly.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

Veto overrides

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Iowa are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 67 of the 100 members in the Iowa House of Representatives and 34 of the 50 members in the Iowa State Senate. Iowa is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden in a special session called by the legislature.^[33] Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.^[34]

Authority: Legislative Department, Section 16 of the Iowa Constitution.

"Every bill which shall have passed the general assembly, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the same upon their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if, after such reconsideration, it again pass both houses, by yeas and nays, by a majority of two thirds of the members of each house, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the governor's objections."

Role in state budget

See also: Iowa state budget and finances

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[35]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between June and July.
2. Agency requests are submitted to the governor by October 1.
3. Public hearings are held in December.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the Iowa State Legislature by February 1.
5. The legislature adopts a budget in April or May.
6. The fiscal year begins in July.

Iowa is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[35][36]

The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget. In turn, the legislature is statutorily required to adopt a balanced budget.^[35]

Committees

See also: List of committees in Iowa state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Iowa State Senate has 18 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Iowa Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article X of the Iowa Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Iowa

The Iowa Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Iowa requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Legislature

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions with an election for state legislators in between for the Iowa State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Iowa House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Iowa State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 3 of Article X of the Iowa Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 10 years starting in 1970. Iowa is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Iowa	10 years	2020	2030

2026 measures:

See also: Iowa 2026 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2026.

• Iowa Two-Thirds Legislative Vote Requirement for Income Tax Increase Bills Amendment (2026)
• Iowa Prohibit Graduated Individual Income Tax Rates Amendment (2026)

2025 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2025 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2025.

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

No measures to list

See also

Elections	Iowa State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Iowa State Senate elections, 2024 Iowa State Senate elections, 2022 Iowa State Senate elections, 2020 Iowa State Senate elections, 2018	Iowa General Assembly Iowa House of Representatives Governor of Iowa Iowa Supreme Court	State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Iowa General Assembly

Footnotes

	v • e State of Iowa Des Moines (capital)
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