Iowa Legislature Concludes 2026 Session with Property Tax Deal and Budget Bills
The Iowa Legislature concluded its 2026 session with a last-minute agreement on property taxes and the passage of several budget bills. The session saw the approval of major legislation, including a comprehensive health bill, immigration and citizenship verification requirements, and childcare assistance. A key development was the compromise on property taxes, which is projected to save taxpayers $4.2 billion over six years. The agreement caps revenue growth for city and county general levies at 2% starting in the 2027-2028 fiscal year, with different caps for county hospitals and emergency management agencies. The plan also includes a homestead exemption and extends the state sales tax for 20 years, directing more revenue towards property tax relief. Additionally, the session addressed issues such as water quality funding, abortion pill access, and repeat offender sentencing. 
