SF 47 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act creating a special motion for expedited relief in actions involving the exercise of the right of freedom of speech and of the press, the right to assemble and petition, and the right of association, and including applicability provisions.

SF 47, known as the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act," creates a special legal process for individuals facing lawsuits that target their exercise of free speech, press, assembly, or association on matters of public concern. It allows a defendant to file a "special motion for expedited relief" to dismiss such a lawsuit, which then pauses other legal proceedings like discovery. The court must dismiss the case if the defendant shows it falls under these protections and the plaintiff cannot demonstrate a valid initial legal claim. The bill also mandates the award of court costs, attorney fees, and litigation expenses to the party who prevails on this special motion.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Last action Apr 16, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment S-3010 filed.
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report, recommending passage.
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Jan 27, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 01/28/2025 9:30AM Room 217 Conference Room.
legislature
Jan 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Subcommittee: Reichman, Blake, and Taylor.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to Judiciary.
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, referred to State Government.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jeff Reichman
Jeff Reichman
RRepublican
IA
50