Table of Contents


Senate/House
• When does the Legislative session convene?
• How can I listen to Senate & House debate?
• How can I watch Senate & House video?
• Where can I view the chamber rules?
Legislators/Contact Info
• How do I find and contact my Legislator?
• How do I get the email addresses of all legislators?
• How can I search for historical legislator information?
• What is the Capitol mailing address?
• I have questions about the Capitol or the legislative process. How can I reach someone at the Capitol?
• Do you provide links to the personal websites of legislators?
Legislation
• How do I find a bill? (Current Legislation)
• How do I find legislation?
• How do I see a listing of all the bills that are eligible to be debated by either chamber?
• How do I see a listing of all bills and resolutions that may be debated on a particular day?
Committees
• Where can I see the committee and subcommittee meetings scheduled for the current day?
• How do I find more information about a committee?
• Where are the committee meeting rooms located?
Iowa Law & Rules
• What is the Iowa Code?
• Where can I look up sections of the Iowa Code?
• How do I find a law?
• What are administrative rules?
• What is the difference between the Administrative Code and Administrative Bulletin?
• Are online rules official rules?
• How often are the Iowa Administrative Bulletin (IAB) and Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) updated?
• How do I find a rule in the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC)?
• Can I print rules from the website?
• Can I download a chapter of rules?
• How do I cite rules?
• What do the numbers in a rule citation mean?
• How do I track rulemaking activity?
• How are rules amended?
• How can I participate in the rulemaking process? How do I comment on a rule?
• Who do I contact if I have a question about a rule?
• What is the shortest time frame in which a rule can be adopted?
• Can a rule change after the Notice is published/hearing is held?
• How is a rule finalized?
• In a Filed rule, what does the Editor’s Note mean?
• How do I create links to the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC)?
Legislative Agencies
• Do you have links to the party-affiliated websites in each chamber?
• Do you have a staff list of employees and their contact information on the website?
• How do I contact the Office of Ombudsman (formerly Citizens' Aide)?
• How do I contact the Secretary of Senate Office or Chief Clerk’s Office?
Publications
• Where can I find all of the publications on your site?
• How do I subscribe to publications via email?
Capitol Tours & Resources
• Where can I learn more about the legislative process?
• Where can I learn about Iowa redistricting?
• Where can I get information on touring the Capitol?
Lobbyist Information
• How do I search lobbyist declarations?
• How do I view a list of all registered lobbyists?
• How do I view a list of all registered clients?
Archives
• How do I look up members, bills, calendars, Iowa Law, and publications from previous years?

Senate/House



When does the Legislative session convene?

To see the schedule of events including session beginning and end dates on our website, click on the Senate/House tab at the top of the page and under the “Session Calendars” heading, click the Session Timetable link.


This schedule is updated annually and is subject to change.


How can I listen to Senate & House debate?

When the Senate or House is in session, you may stream live chamber audio by going to the Senate/House tab at the top of our website and then choosing the link for the chamber and format that you wish.


*HTML5 is the new industry standard for delivering media over the web. Most modern browsers, including most mobile browsers, support HTML5; however, there are still some browsers that do not. The Silverlight version will work with any browser that has the Silverlight plugin installed; these are generally PC-based browsers. We recommend you try the HTML5 link first and then the Silverlight link if the HTML5 link does not work for you.


How can I watch Senate & House video?

We provide live streaming video of the Senate or House proceedings whenever the chamber is in session.

Viewing options for each chamber can be found on the Senate/House tab here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/chambers.

• Watch live video by clicking the Live link next to the appropriate chamber.

• Watch video from a previous date by clicking the Daily Archives link next to the appropriate chamber.

• Watch video on a particular bill debate by clicking the Bill Archives link next to the appropriate chamber and then clicking the link for the appropriate piece of legislation.


Where can I view the chamber rules?

Go to the Senate/House tab along the top of our website and then click the Chamber Rules link along the left. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/chambers/rules

Click the PDF icon for the chamber and rules you wish to view.



Legislators/Contact Info



How do I find and contact my Legislator?

Use the Find Your Legislator tool to determine your state representatives: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find.

Click the Interactive Map to specify your location, or use the tabs provided to determine your representatives by address, city, or zip code. Then use the links provided to contact the legislator(s) that represent your district.


How do I get the email addresses of all legislators?

Go to Legislators tab, click the Current Legislator Information link and then click the Legislator List link: Legislator List.


How can I search for historical legislator information?

Use the Historical Information tool to easily locate information on anyone who has served in the Iowa Legislature since 1838: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/informationOnLegislators/historicalInformation.

You only need to enter one search criteria to launch the search. Enter your search criteria and hit the Search button.


What is the Capitol mailing address?

1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319


I have questions about the Capitol or the legislative process. How can I reach someone at the Capitol?

On our website, in the black area at the bottom of the page, click the Contacts link. This will display a list of legislative contacts with phone numbers, email (if applicable), and links to applicable sections of the website.



Do you provide links to the personal websites of legislators?

Yes. On our website, in the black area at the bottom of the page, click the Contacts link.

When you click on a legislator’s name, a message will appear stating that you are leaving our state-supported website. Click the Click here to continue link to go to the legislator’s web page.



Legislation



How do I find a bill? (Current Legislation)

By Bill Number

If you know the bill number, type it into the Bills quick search box located in the top left corner under the website header, on the homepage of our website (www.legis.iowa.gov), make sure the Numbers tab is selected (it will be the default option). Then hit the Go button or Enter key.

*In order for this tool to work properly, turn off your pop-up blocker when using our website or add our website to the trusted site list in your browser.

By Keyword

If you do not know the bill number but you know a keyword for the bill, for example “fish,” type the word into the Bills quick search box located in the top left corner under the website header, on the homepage (www.legis.iowa.gov). Make sure to select the Keyword tab above the text box before typing your word and hit the Go button or the Enter key to launch the search.

This will display all current legislation containing “fish”, “fishing”, “fished” etc. Current legislation is considered anything within the current General Assembly, which is two years long.


How do I find legislation?

Use the quick find box on the main page or click on the Legislation tab along the top of our website and then click the link at left entitled Find Legislation.


Click the appropriate link for the search method you wish to use.


How do I see a listing of all the bills that are eligible to be debated by either chamber?

Go to the Legislation tab and then click the Debate Eligibility Calendar link along the left-hand side of the screen. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/eligibleDebate

Click the appropriate link next to Regular Calendar for the chamber you wish to view.

*Regular Calendars contain the Senate and House calendars listing all bills and resolutions reported out of committee and eligible for consideration by the full chamber. Most bills are listed under the grouping named “Regular Calendar,” although some bills are organized into special calendars or lists that include appropriations, ways and means bills, or unfinished business.


How do I see a listing of all bills and resolutions that may be debated on a particular day?

Go to the Legislation tab and then click the Debate Eligibility Calendar link along the left-hand side of the screen. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/eligibleDebate

Click the appropriate link next to Daily Debate Calendar for the chamber you wish to view. While this calendar shows bills that may be debated on a given day, it is not certain if they will be debated on that day.



Committees



Where can I see the committee and subcommittee meetings scheduled for the current day?

During session, on our homepage, look at the lower two boxes displayed in the main pane. The left-hand side shows Senate committees scheduled for the current day and the right-hand side shows House committees meeting on the current day. These boxes will update in real time. If a meeting is canceled or added, the content will adjust accordingly on the home page. (You may need to click the Refresh button in your browser to update the content.)


How do I find more information about a committee?

Click on the Committees tab along the top of the website. This page lists all of the current committees, including standing, appropriations, Legislative Council, permanent statutory, and interim study committees, as well as public hearings.

Click on the name of the committee to learn more about it. After clicking on the committee name link, you will see the committee membership, member photos, meeting information, subcommittee assignments, and staff information for that committee. You will also see links for bills, amendments, and study bills sponsored by the committee and bills currently in the committee.


Where are the committee meeting rooms located?

Click on the Committees tab along the top of the website and then click the Committee Room Maps link along the left-hand side to view a map of all of the committee rooms in the Capitol building by floor.




Iowa Law & Rules



What is the Iowa Code?

The Iowa Code contains all the general and permanent laws of the State of Iowa. The printed version is published every two years to coincide with the start of a General Assembly. The updated, electronic version of the Iowa Code is published annually on the General Assembly's website and on DVD.


Where can I look up sections of the Iowa Code?

Iowa Code Quick Find Box

If you know the Iowa Code section you are looking for, type the Iowa Code section into the Iowa Code Quick Search box located in the top left corner under the Bills text box, on the homepage (www.legis.iowa.gov). Then hit the Go button or Enter key to pull up the most current version of the Iowa Code section you typed.

*In order for this tool to work properly, turn off your pop-up blocker when using our website or add our website to the trusted site list in your browser.

Using Search Legislative Documents (Website Search Engine)

On our homepage (www.legis.iowa.gov), click on the Publications tab along the top of the screen and then click Search Legislative Documents on the left side of the screen to launch the search engine. In the Search Within box along the left, click the small white arrow in front of “Iowa Law & Rules” to expand the selection. Then click the small white arrow in front of Code of Iowa. Then click the arrow in front of the year you wish to view. Continue this method to drill down to the information you want.

OR

On our homepage (www.legis.iowa.gov), click on the Publications tab along the top of the screen and then click Search Legislative Documents on the left side of the screen to launch the search engine. Once in the search engine, click the Advanced Search tab along the top of the search engine. On the left, you’ll see an Iowa Code Quick Search box. Type the Code section into the box and hit Go or the Enter key to pull up the most current version of the Iowa Code section.

On the Archives Tab

On our homepage (www.legis.iowa.gov), click on the Archives tab along the top of the screen. Under the Iowa Law & Rules heading, choose a year from the drop-down next to Iowa Code (Composite of all permanent laws enacted by the Iowa General Assembly, viewable by Iowa Code chapter or section (2005 to Current)) or choose a year from the drop-down next to Iowa Code Archive (Composite of all permanent laws enacted by the Iowa General Assembly, in PDF format (1839 to Current)). The content will update and display for the year you selected.


How do I find a law?

By Iowa Code chapter or section

If you know the Iowa Code chapter or section number, type it into the Quick Search box on the homepage of our website (www.legis.iowa.gov) or on the Iowa Law & Rules page https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law and hit the Go button or Enter key.

*In order for this tool to work properly, turn off your pop-up blocker when using our website or add our website to the trusted site list in your browser.

To view the Iowa Code in its entirety or to view Iowa Code archives, browse links available here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/statutory.

By Topic

If you do not know the Iowa Code chapter or section but you are interested in law pertaining to a particular topic, use the Search Legislative Documents tool https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search. In the Search Within parameters in the left navigation pane, narrow your results to Iowa Law and Rules > Code of Iowa.


What are administrative rules?

Administrative rules are statements of general applicability that implement or interpret law, prescribe policy, or describe the organization, procedure, or practice requirements of an executive branch agency. Administrative rules are published biweekly in the Iowa Administrative Code.


What is the difference between the Administrative Code and Administrative Bulletin?

The Iowa Administrative Code is a composite of all adopted administrative rules and is updated biweekly. The Iowa Administrative Bulletin is a biweekly notice of all proposed and adopted changes to administrative rules and includes other information, including public hearings schedule, rulemaking schedule, ARRC meeting agenda, delays, and objections, required and permitted by Iowa Code chapter 2B.


Are online rules official rules?

Yes, the electronic version is official pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 2B. To confirm that a rule is current and has not been superseded, Publications Editing Office (Administrative Code) at AdminCode@legis.iowa.gov.


How often are the Iowa Administrative Bulletin (IAB) and Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) updated?

Pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 17A, the IAB and IAC are published biweekly. The annual rulemaking schedule can be found on our website here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/ACOD/767406.pdf.


How do I find a rule in the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC)?


OR locate the search box for Search Legislative Documents, located in the right margin of the page: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law.

In the Search Within box along the left, click the small white arrow in front of “Iowa Law & Rules” to expand the selection. Then click the small white arrow in front of Iowa Administrative Code. Then click the arrow in front of the agency you wish to view. Continue this method to drill down to the information you want.


By agency, chapter, or rule

If you know the agency number or Iowa Administrative Code chapter or rule number, type it into the Quick Search box on the Iowa Law & Rules page https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law and hit the Go button or Enter key.

*In order for this tool to work properly, turn off your pop-up blocker when using our website or add our website to the trusted site list in your browser.

To view the full list of agencies in the Iowa Administrative Code, click here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/agencies.

To view Iowa Administrative Code archives, click here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/agencies, then select from the dropdown for Archive By Year.


By Topic

If you do not know the agency number or Iowa Administrative Code chapter or rule number but you are interested in rules pertaining to a particular topic, use the Search Legislative Documents tool: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search. In the Search Within parameters in the left navigation pane, narrow your results to Iowa Law and Rules > Iowa Administrative Code.


Can I print rules from the website?

Yes, look up the rule you are looking for using the Quick Find box here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules.
*Printer-friendly options are available by clicking on the PDF links provided.


Can I download a chapter of rules?

Choose a chapter of the IAC here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/agencies by clicking on the Chapters link next to the appropriate state agency. Then click on the PDF link next to the appropriate chapter for a printer-friendly version of the chapter or click the RTF link for an editable Word-formatted copy of the chapter.


How do I cite rules?

There is a note about citation in the preface of each Bulletin.


What do the numbers in a rule citation mean?

For purposes of searches on our website, rule citations appear as follows: “Agency.Chapter.rule.”

In the Iowa Administrative Code, rule citations appear as follows: Agency—Chapter.rule(implementation).

For explanation of rule citations and rule subparts, see the explanation here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/ACOD/767394.pdf.


How do I track rulemaking activity?

Track rulemakings using the Rules Tracker: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/tracker.

Track rulemaking and related activity using subscription services available at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/subscribe/subscriptions.


How can I participate in the rulemaking process? How do I comment on a rule?

Track rulemaking and related activity using subscription services available at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/subscribe/subscriptions.

Track rulemakings using the Rules Tracker: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/tracker.


Who do I contact if I have a question about a rule?

Contact the Publications Editing Office (Administrative Code) at AdminCode@legis.iowa.gov.


What is the shortest time frame in which a rule can be adopted?

Explanation of emergency procedures (Iowa Code sections 17A.4 and 17A.5): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/ACOD/767388.pdf.

Emergency Rulemaking Documents Filed Prior to Publication in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin (IAB): https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/emergencyDocs.


Can a rule change after the Notice is published/hearing is held?

Yes. For an overview of the rulemaking process, see: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/howDoRulesWork.


How is a rule finalized?

For an overview of the rulemaking process, see: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/howDoRulesWork.


In a Filed rule, what does the Editor’s Note mean?

At the discretion of the Administrative Code Editor, amendments may be omitted from publication in an Adopted and Filed rulemaking. The information contained in the Editor’s Note can be used to locate the published Notice of Intended Action for those amendments.

To see the amendments that were published under Notice or Adopted and Filed Emergency, refer to the IAB publication date noted in the Editor’s Note. Within that publication, locate the ARC number of the Notice or Adopted and Filed Emergency. NOTE: If the amendments were also Adopted and Filed Emergency, the amendments will be printed with the Emergency and incorporated by reference into the Notice.

To see the amendments incorporated in the Iowa Administrative Code, refer to the Supplement referenced in the last bracketed note.



Documentation describing persistent links can be found here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/ACOD/767409.pdf.




Legislative Agencies




Yes. Click on the Legislative Agencies tab along the top of the screen and then click the link for the appropriate chamber and party along the left-hand side of the screen.

Senate Democrats website: Senate Democrats.

Senate Republicans website: Senate Republicans.

House Democrats website: http://iowahouse.org/.

House Republicans website: http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/.

*When you click on any of the party-affiliated links (above), a message will appear stating that you are leaving our state-supported website. Click the Click here to continue link to go to the caucus’s web page.


Do you have a staff list of employees and their contact information on the website?

Yes. Click on the Legislative Agencies tab along the top of the page and then click the appropriate division name along the right-hand side for contact information for the employees in that division.


How do I contact the Office of Ombudsman (formerly Citizen’s Aide)?

Click on the Legislative Agencies tab along the top of the page and then click the Office of Ombudsman link on the page or along the left to be redirected to the Office of Ombudsman website.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Ombudsman/


How do I contact the Secretary of Senate Office or Chief Clerk’s Office?

Click on the Legislative Agencies tab along the top of the page and then click either the Secretary of Senate Office link or the Chief Clerk’s Office link along the left-hand side of the screen.




Publications



Where can I find all of the publications on your site?

Click on the Publications tab along the top of the page to find information for all publications.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications


How do I subscribe to publications via email?

You can either click on the Publications tab and click the Subscriptions link along the left or scroll to the bottom of the website and click the Subscribe link.


LSA offers several subscription options. Within Legislative Subscriptions, check the box in front of the publications you wish to subscribe to, scroll to the bottom of the page, enter the email address you would like the publications sent to and click the Subscribe button. You will receive a confirmation email in the account you specified. Click the confirm subscription link to complete the process.

If you no longer wish to be subscribed to a list, check the box(es) in front of the publication(s) you no longer wish to receive, scroll to the bottom of the page, enter your email address and click the Unsubscribe button.



Capitol Tours & Resources



Where can I learn more about the legislative process?

Click the Capitol Tours & Resources tab along the top of the screen to view many educational documents. Click on the appropriate link to learn more about that topic.


Where can I learn about Iowa redistricting?

Click the Capitol Tours & Resources tab along the top of the screen and then click the link along the left entitled Iowa Redistricting. Click the links to learn more about that topic or view maps of the various districts.

To learn more about the redistricting process, click the Capitol Tours & Resources tab along the top of the screen and then click the link along the left entitled About Redistricting.


Where can I get information on touring the Capitol?

Click the Capitol Tours & Resources tab along the top of the screen and then click the Tour the Capitol link along the left-hand side of the screen.

For Capitol Tour and Building Information: Capitol Tour and Building Information.

To schedule a tour of the Iowa Capitol online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol/request.

For video and pictorial tours of the Capitol and Capitol grounds: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol/pictorial.



Lobbyist Information



How do I search lobbyist declarations?

Click on the Lobbyist Information tab along the top of the website, and then click the Search Lobbyist Declarations link.


• You can search declarations by lobbyists by typing the lobbyist name into the “Lobbyist Name” text box and then clicking the Submit bottom at the bottom of the page.

• You can search declarations by client by clicking on the radio button to select the “Retrieve Bills by Client” option and then typing the client name into the “Client Name” box and then clicking the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

• You can search declarations by bill number by choosing the bill type from the drop-down shown and then typing the bill number(s) into the corresponding boxes. When you have entered the bills you want to search, click the Submit button. (You can search the declarations for up to five bills using this method.)


How do I view a list of all registered lobbyists?

Click on the Lobbyist Information tab along the top of the website, then click the Lobbyist link under the “View List Sorted By:” heading.


This will show you a listing of all of the lobbyists currently registered in our system. This is a point-in-time reference, meaning that as lobbyists are added, removed, or changed, the listing will update accordingly.


How do I view a list of all registered clients?

Click on the Lobbyist Information tab along the top of the website, then click the Client link under the “View List Sorted By:” heading.


This will show you a listing of all of the clients currently registered in our system. This is a point-in-time reference, meaning that as clients are added, removed, or changed, the listing will update accordingly.



Archives



How do I look up members, bills, calendars, Iowa Law, and publications from previous years?

On our website, click the Archives tab along the top of the page. Then use the drop-downs to select the General Assembly (GA) or year next to the content you wish to view.


When you select a time frame from the drop-down, the search will launch and the contents will display for that point in time.