Iowa HF 2356: A bill for an act establishing the state public defender’s pilot…

Introduced Feb 9, 2026
In committee
Passed the House Feb 26, 2026
Passed the Senate Mar 23, 2026
To the governor Apr 9, 2026
Became law Apr 9, 2026

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

A bill for an act establishing the state public defender’s pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the project to preserve families.

Every action

14 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 6 earlier steps

Feb 9, 2026HouseIntroduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 234.
Feb 25, 2026HouseFiscal note.
Feb 26, 2026HousePassed House, yeas 90, nays 0. H.J. 453.
Feb 26, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 460.
Mar 2, 2026SenateMessage from House. S.J. 422.
Mar 2, 2026SenateRead first time, attached to SF 2370. S.J. 422.

Mar 19, 2026SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 599.
Mar 23, 2026SenateSubstituted for SF 2370. S.J. 617.
Mar 23, 2026SenatePassed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0. S.J. 618.
Mar 23, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 620.
Mar 24, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 727.
Apr 9, 2026HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor. H.J. 870.
Apr 9, 2026GovernorSigned by Governor. H.J. 870.
May 20, 2026HouseFiscal note.

Roll calls

3 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 1 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Shall the bill pass? · Full House

Passed 90–0

Feb 26, 2026 · journal entry

Yes 90 No 0 Not voting 10

Democrats: 28 yes, 0 no Republicans: 62 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes · 90

Absent · 10

Shall the bill pass? · Full Senate

Passed 47–0

Mar 23, 2026 · journal entry

Yes 47 No 0 Not voting 3

Democrats: 16 yes, 0 no Republicans: 31 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes · 47

Absent · 3

Committee and other votes

Date	Where	Question	Result
Jan 26, 2026	House Judiciary	Committee recommendation: Do Pass Members Yes · 19 Aime WichtendahlD Angel RamirezD Beth Wessel-KroeschellD Bill GustoffR Blaine C. WatkinsR Carter F. NordmanR Charley ThomsonR Craig Steven WilliamsR Dr. Megan L. SrinivasD Jeff ShipleyR John H. WillsR Jon DunwellR Judd LawlerR Mark I. ThompsonR Rick L. OlsonD Ross WilburnD Samantha FettR Sean BagniewskiD Steven C. HoltR Excused · 2 Henry StoneR Skyler WheelerR	19–0

A bill for an act establishing the state public defender’s pilot project to implement innovative models of child welfare legal representation as the…