Iowa Bill Aims to Limit Local Civil Rights Protections

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A bill advanced by an Iowa House subcommittee would ban local governments from enacting civil rights protections that exceed the scope of the state's civil rights law. This comes after Governor Reynolds signed legislation in 2025 that removed gender identity as a protected characteristic under Iowa's civil rights act. The bill is facing pushback from local officials like Coralville City Council member Katie Freeman, who argue it interferes with communities' ability to address their own needs.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is part of a broader effort by some Iowa Republicans to roll back LGBTQ+ rights protections, even at the local level. This could leave many Iowans without adequate civil rights safeguards, especially in more conservative parts of the state where local governments may be unwilling to enact stronger protections.

The details

The bill advanced by the House subcommittee would prohibit local governments from adopting civil rights ordinances that provide broader protections than the statewide Iowa Civil Rights Act. This comes after Governor Reynolds signed a law in 2025 that removed gender identity as a protected characteristic under Iowa's civil rights law. In response, cities like Coralville and Iowa City have passed their own resolutions to provide local LGBTQ+ protections. However, the new bill aims to override these local actions.

• In 2025, Governor Reynolds signed a law removing gender identity as a protected characteristic under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
• The current bill was advanced by an Iowa House subcommittee in February 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The bill will next be considered by the full Iowa House, where it faces an uncertain future given the opposition from local officials and civil rights advocates.