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Kim Reynolds
GOVERNOR
Office of the GovernorChris Cournoyer
LT governor
June 02, 2026
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 2694, an Act relating to the regulation of certain places and activities by the
govemor.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely
Kim PWynolds
Govemor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House File 2694
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF CERTAIN PLACES AND ACTIVITIES BY
THE GOVERNOR.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. NEW SECTION. 7.19 Regulation of places and
practices of worship — limitation.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the
governor shall not close, place a mandate on, or otherwise
regulate a place or practice of worship for any reason.
House File 2694, p. 2
including through the proclamation of a disaster emergency
pursuant to chapter 29C or public health disaster pursuant to
section 135.144, For the purposes of this section, ^place of
worship" means a building in which an active congregation is
devoted to worship.
Sec. 2. Section 29C.6, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended
to read as follows:
1. After finding a disaster exists or is threatened,
proclaim a state of disaster emergency. This proclamation
shall be in writing, indicate the area affected and the facts
upon which it is based, be signed by the governor, and be
filed with the secretary of state. If the state of disaster
emergency specifically constitutes a public health disaster
as defined in section 135.140, the written proclamation shall
include a statement to that effect. A state of disaster
emergency shall continue for thirty days, unless sooner
terminated or extended in writing by the governor. The
general assembly may, by concurrent resolution, rescind this
proclamation. If the general assembly is not in session,
the legislative council may, by majority vote, rescind this
proclamation. Rescission shall be effective upon filing of the
concurrent resolution or resolution of the legislative council
with the secretary of state. A proclamation of disaster
emergency shall activate the disaster response and recovery
aspect of the state, local, and interjurisdictional disaster
emergency plans applicable to the political subdivision or area
in question and be authority for the deployment and use of any
forces to which the plan applies, and for use or distribution
of any supplies, equipment, and materials and facilities
assembled, stockpiled, or arranged to be made available.
b. A measure dictated in a state of disaster emergency shall
not do any of the following:
(1) Authorize a change to established laws, policies, or
regulations governing a local, county, or state election for
public office absent prior approval of the general assembly.
(2) Regulate conduct within a private residence.
(3) Require a vaccination.
c. A measure dictated in a state of disaster emergency that
constitutes a public health disaster, as defined in section
House File 2694, p. 3
135.140, shall not require but may recommend that a private
business operating within this state cease the businesses
lawful operations.
PAT GRASSLE:
Speaker of the House
AMY SINg^fAIR
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2694, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved
MEq^N NELSON
Chief (fcerk^^ the House
2026
KIM RM50LDS
Governor