HF 940 Iowa House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to civil law, including providing notice to named beneficiaries in probate law, a process for named beneficiaries to obtain ownership of property held by others in probate law, and authorizing spouses to amend premarital agreements, and including applicability provisions.

HF 940 modifies civil law regarding probate and premarital agreements. For probate, the bill requires holders of property with a beneficiary designation to notify named beneficiaries, including charitable organizations, within ten business days of an owner's death that they may have a right to the property. It establishes a process for beneficiaries to claim property or information using a notarized affidavit, while protecting property holders who comply in good faith from liability. Additionally, the bill authorizes spouses to amend premarital agreements after marriage, provided the amendment is in writing, signed by both parties, and meets any other criteria outlined in the original agreement. This aims to streamline the transfer of designated property and provide flexibility for spouses to modify premarital terms.
Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2025 Last action Apr 22, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprinted · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was reprinted to reflect amendments passed by the House, expanding its scope to include civil law and premarital agreements alongside the original probate law changes. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new requirement for property holders to notify charitable organizations listed as beneficiaries, in addition to notifying individual beneficiaries. The bill also clarifies that the new probate provisions apply to the 2025 Code.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely probate law to include civil law and premarital agreements, and it now explicitly applies to the 2025 Code.
SCOPE

Added provisions relating to civil law and authorizing spouses to amend premarital agreements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for property holders to notify charitable organizations listed as beneficiaries within ten business days of the owner's death.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill to reference the 2025 Code, indicating the new provisions are part of the current legislative session's code.

DEFINITION

Added a new subsection to the existing beneficiary definition section.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'HF 940' to 'House File 940' and added a reprint date of March 26, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2026 · House Mar 26, 2025

How they voted

440
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Apr 8, 2026
D Democratic15
13 Yea 2
86% Yea
R Republican34
31 Yea 3
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Amendments
5
Apr 8, 2026
Introduced
Senate amendment H-8334 filed.
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 45, nays 0.
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendment S-5005 adopted, as amended.
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendment S-5170 to S-5005 filed, adopted.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Amendment S-5005 filed.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report, recommending amendment and passage.
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
legislature
Jan 28, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 01/29/2026 9:30AM Room 217 Conference Room.
legislature
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee reassigned: Bousselot, Blake, and Schultz.
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Bousselot.
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House, yeas 96, nays 0.
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amendments H-1175 and H-1184 adopted.
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Amendment H-1184 filed.
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Amendment H-1175 filed.
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.