Office of the Governor release (edited)
05/04/26
Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s “proud” of the work accomplished as the Iowa Legislature adjourned their 2026 session over the weekend.
Reynolds noted the modest 1.4% increase to the state budget, and said, “Republicans are delivering big for Iowans.”
Among the bills passed this session are a property tax reform that saves Iowa taxpayers $4.2 billion over six years by limiting the growth of local government and broadening the tax base. It caps local government revenue growth at 2% and quadruples the Homestead Tax Exemption over three years. The bill also allows online posting of tax notices and shifts the burden of proof to assessors in disputes with homeowners.
A charter school and school choice package directs per-pupil funding to follow students that attend charter schools, grants those students access to the same academic and extra-curricular offerings as their traditional public school peers, expands access to statewide voluntary preschool and adds the University of Northern Iowa as a charter school authorizer.
Legislation was also passed that bans certain food dyes and additives from school meals, directs the state Health and Human Services Department to request federal approval for healthy SNAP and Healthy Summer EBT programs, creates weekly requirements for elementary student physical activity, and adds nutrition education requirements for prospective and currently licensed physicians.
A new bill requires the use of Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, to confirm citizenship and immigration status for professional licenses, requires E-Verify to determine employment eligibility for new public hires, strengthens pre-trial and bail penalties for some criminal offenses by illegal immigrants, and requires Iowa voters swear U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury.
All cities, counties or any other political subdivision to lower US and Iowa flags to half-staff when directed by proclamation from the governor.
Another bill limits civil or criminal lawsuits against individuals or businesses based on claims that their greenhouse-gas emissions caused climate-related harm.
The full statement from Governor Reynolds is available below.
DES MOINES— Today, Governor Kim Reynolds released the following statement regarding the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session:
“As I reflect on the end of my final legislative session, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together on behalf of Iowans this year. With only a modest 1.4% increase to the state budget, Republicans are delivering big for Iowans.
“We kept our promise by passing meaningful property tax relief and reform, estimating nearly $4 billion in savings over the next six years. By capping local government revenue growth at 2% with clear and responsible guardrails, this plan brings certainty and discipline to a system that needed both. We’re also quadrupling the Homestead Tax Exemption, raising it to $20,000 so more of a home’s value is protected against taxes. And by lowering school levies while fully maintaining school funding, the state is stepping up to carry a greater share of the responsibility, easing the burden on Iowa taxpayers while keeping our commitment to strong public schools. Finally, we created First Home Iowa tax-deductible savings accounts to help young Iowans begin preparing for homeownership.
“We strengthened educational freedom by ensuring more equitable state funding follows students who choose public charter schools and expanding access to both academic and extracurricular opportunities. We approved the University of Northern Iowa, home to Iowa’s largest teacher education program, as a new charter school authorizer to grow high-quality options while maintaining strong accountability. We also expanded access to Iowa’s statewide voluntary preschool program, helping reduce waitlists and ensure more families can benefit from high-quality early learning.
“We took intentional steps to make Iowa a healthier state by refocusing food assistance programs on nutrition, eliminating certain dyes and additives from school foods, and requiring medical schools and continuing medical education to include nutrition courses. Limiting screentime and increasing daily physical activity for elementary students will help young Iowans establish lifelong healthy behaviors. And by allowing psychologists licensed in other states to practice in Iowa, we will expand our health care workforce and improve access to care.
“We supported strong and stable families by reforming foster parent training to ensure more foster homes are available for children in need. We also made child care assistance permanent for child care workers, providing them a reliable, affordable way to remain in the workforce and ensure access to quality child care for working families across our state.
“And we passed a comprehensive plan to improve water quality in Iowa, a $319 million investment over the next 12 years.
“Throughout my time in office, the commonsense, conservative policies we’ve enacted will ensure our state remains strong, prosperous, and vibrant for generations to come. That has been my commitment to Iowans since day one, and I will continue to serve with that same purpose during my final months in office.”