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Kim Reynolds OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Chris Courngyer
GOVERNOR 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 2695, an Act relating to the application of foreign law and limiting changes in
venue of civil actions, and including applicability provisions.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincerely,
Kim PpvnolHsKim Reynolds
Govemor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 WWW.G0VERN0R.10WA.GOV
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House File 2695
AN ACT
RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF FOREIGN LAW AND LIMITING CHANGES
IN VENUE OF CIVIL ACTIONS, AND INCLUDING APPLICABILITY
PROVISIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. NEW SECTION. 623.1 Prohibition on transfer of
civil actions involving foreign law.
1. As used in this section, ^foreign iav" means any law,
legal code, or legal system of a jurisdiction outside any state
or territory of the United States, including but not limited
to laws or rules of international organizations, tribunals, or
courts.
2, A court of this state, an arbitration panel, a tribunal,
or an administrative agency shall not transfer a civil action
to another court or forum if the transfer would result in
application of a foreign law that would violate or is likely to
violate a fundamental liberty, right, or privilege guaranteed
by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of
the State of Iowa.
House Pile 2695r p. 2
Sec. 2. NEW SECTION, 626E.1 Application of foreign law.
1. As used in this section, '^foreign law'' means any law,
legal code, or legal system of a jurisdiction outside any state
or territory of the United States, including but not limited
to laws or rules of international organizations, tribunals, or
courts.
2. A ruling or decision of a court of this state, an
arbitration panel, a tribunal, or an administrative agency that
is based, in whole or in part, on a foreign law is void and
unenforceable if application of the foreign law denies a party
a fundamental liberty, right, or privilege guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the
State of Iowa,
3. A contract, or a contractual provision if severable, that
provides for the choice or application of a foreign law is void
and unenforceable if application of the foreign law denies a
party a fundamental liberty, right, or privilege guaranteed by
the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of
the State of Iowa.
4. A contract, or a contractual provision if severable,
that grants jurisdiction to a foreign tribunal or forum is void
and unenforceable if exercise of jurisdiction by the foreign
tribunal or forum results in application of a foreign law that
denies a party a fundamental liberty, right, or privilege
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States or the
Constitution of the State of Iowa.
5. This section shall not be construed to do any of the
following:
a. Disapprove, abrogate, or overturn existing precedent of
the supreme court.
b. Limit the adjudication of ecclesiastical or internal
religious matters of a religious organization, including the
selection, appointment, discipline, or removal of clergy, or
the interpretation of religious doctrine.
c. Apply to a corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, association, or any other type of business entity
that voluntarily and knowingly subjects the corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, or other
type of business entity to foreign law or a foreign forum.
House Pile 2695, p. 3
d. Apply in any circumstance in which federal law preempts
state law, including obligations arising under treaties or
international agreements to which the United States is a party
Sec. 3. APPLICABILITY. This Act applies to civil actions,
contracts, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings
commenced on or after the effective date of this Act.
PAT GRASSLEY
Speaker of House
AMY SINCLAIR
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 2695, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved 2026
/mn MmMEGHAN NELSON
Chief c/erk the House
KIM REFOLDS
Governor