How a State Law Is Made From Idea to July 1 Enactment
A standard lawmaking path begins with an idea and moves through drafting by Legislative Service Bureau staff, filing, committee and subcommittee reviews, full chamber approval, identical passage in both houses, enrollment, and governor signature. Unless directed otherwise, new bills usually take effect July 1 of the enactment year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Legislative Service Bureau
House of Representatives
Senate
House
Des Moines Statehouse access and parking guidance
The Iowa Statehouse sits on a hill above central Des Moines and is reachable by I 235. Visitors may use public parking facilities and follow exits at 14th or 15th Street. From the interstate, head to 14th Street, stay in the right lane, and turn right onto Grand or Walnut streets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
East 9Th Street
Grand
Walnut Avenues
Iowa Statehouse
Statehouse
14Th
15Th Street
14Th Street
Walnut
Des Moines Legislature Welcomes Public to Sessions and Galleries
Each year Iowans travel to Des Moines to observe the General Assembly. Committees hold hearings early in sessions and are open to the public. After deliberation ends, floor debate ramps up with visitors encouraged to watch. Galleries are in front and rear, with access through the Rotunda or stairs as applicable.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
General Assembly
House
Senate
Statehouse Rotunda
Opening of 71st General Assembly Raises Governing Questions
The 71st General Assembly begins with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. as House and Senate members take oaths. New members are sworn in, leaders elected, and the governor’s role outlined, with session expected to run to early May and a daily expense allowance of 40 dollars expiring after 110 days.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
71St General Assembly
House of Representatives
Des Moines
Governor Branstad contact information and address
Citizens are advised they can write or call the governor to share ideas or opinions on legislation. The governor's office at the State Capitol Des Moines Iowa 50319 can be reached by telephone at (515) 281 5211.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Capitol
Terry Branstad
Des Moines
Iowa
Also Mentioned on This Page
Iowa Senate
Kenneth Auge
Fort Madison
Linda Bray
Northwood Drive
Cedar Rapids
Jacqueline Holm
Creston
Amy Mayer
Hudson
David McCaffrey
Davenport
Jeffrey Nielsen
Iowa City
Mary Poehler
Monticello
James Roberts
Scott Romans
Ankeny
Darci Shell
Madrid
Christopher Sorensen
Cedar Falls
Susan Sunthen
Sioux City
Tracy Templeton
Melcher
Sherry Vais
Extra
Scott Watson
Richland
Robin Bell
Bloomfield
Stewart Black
Grinnell
Michael Bocheister
Lisabeth Bench
Stuart
Dana Bolte
Tripoli
Jacquelyn Bowie
Runnells
Ruth Choate
Allison Corbin
Clear Lake
Scott Crum
Griswold
Carey Fitzpatrick
Storm Lake
Laura Fuller
Kristin Henning
Calamus
David Hunt
Granville
Julie Johnson
Hillsboro
Sherry King
Columbus Junction
Jami Maxson
36Th St
Jennifer Olerich
Wall Lake
Julie Plummer
West Des Moines
Lori Sanders
North English
Shelly Shields
Pebble Drive
Todd Stuntzner
Mount Pleasant
Suzanne Vincent
Ida Grove
Bob Arnould
Don Avenson
Oelwein
Elaine Baxter
Burlington
Linda Beatty
Indianola
Wayne Bennett
Galva
Dennis Black
Gene Blanshaw
Scranton
Phil Brammer
Cliff Branstad
R-Thompson
Florence Buhr
Janet Carl
Dorothy Carpenter
Brian Carter
Kay Chapman
Betty J. Clark
Rockwell
Dale Cochran
Eagle Grove
Mike Connolly
Minnette Doderer
D-Iown City
Tom Fey
D-Davenport
Dan Fogarty
D-Cylinder
Robert Grandin
R-Pella
John Groninga
Mason City
Richard Groth
R-Gladbrook
Darrell Hanson
Manchester
William Harbor
R-Henderson
Mark Haverland
Pork City
Jack Hatch
Donald Hermann
Bettendorf
Joan Hester
Honey Creek
Jack Holveck
Randy Hughes
D-Creston
Kyle Hummel
R-Vinton
Dan Jay
Centerville
Tom Jochum
D-Dubuque
Paul Johnson
D-Decorah
Don Knapp
D-Cascade
Dee Koenigs
D-Mclintire
Joseph Kremer
Rjesup
Ray Lageschulte
R-Waverly
Jean Lloyd-Jones
Joyce
Lonergan
Boone
Ruhl Maulsby
Rockwell City
John MclIntee
Waterloo
Andy McKean
Morley
Janet Metcalf
Tom Miller
Louis Muhlbauer
Manilla
Sue Mullins
R-Corwith
Lowell Norland
Kensett
James O’kane
Arthur Ollie
Clinton
David Osterberg
Mount Vernon
Myron Oxley
D-Marion
Edward Parker
Mingo
Donald Paulin
R-Lemars
Emil Pavich
Council Bluffs
Doris Peick
Wendell Pellett
Atlantic
Michael Peterson
D-Carroll
Donald Platt
Muscatine
Charles Poncy
Ottumwa
Dennis Renaud
Altoona
Bob Renken
R-Aplington
Wilmer Rensink
Sioux Center
Ralph Rosenberg
D-Ames
Bill Royer
Essex
Richard Running
Hugo Schnekloth
Eldridge
Gary Sherzan
Don Shoning
Don Shoultz
D-Waterloo
Brent Siegrist
Bob Show
Guthrie Center
Clay Spear
del Stromer
Rgarner
Vic Stueland
Rand Mound
al Sturgeon
Bill Sullivan
Dcantril
Tom Swartz
Marshalltown
George Swearingen
R-Stourney
David Tabor
Baldwin
Jane Teaford
Janis Torrence
Atalissa
Mike van Camp
Harold van Ma
14Th and
Walnut Ave
Terry Branstad Lowa