The Iowa General Assembly adjourned on May 3 after 112 days, concluding a highly successful session for The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) and its legislative priorities.
Among the session's highlights, lawmakers approved a $4 per hour increase in indigent defense contract rates beginning July 1, bringing the total increase since 2019 to $22 per hour. The Justice Systems Budget also includes additional funding and staffing for the State Public Defender's Office to help address ongoing workload pressures.
The legislature also established a new Attorney Loan Repayment Program designed to help attract and retain attorneys in Iowa, particularly in rural communities and areas with indigent defense needs. The program will provide qualifying attorneys with up to $10,000 annually in student loan assistance for up to six years.
In addition, 10 of the ISBA's 11 affirmative agenda bills were approved and signed into law.
This brief update highlights only a few of the session's most significant developments. Look for a detailed analysis of the 2026 legislative session and its impact on Iowa lawyers in the June issue of The Iowa Lawyer magazine.
2026 ISBA AFFIRMATIVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Visit the Iowa Bar Blog for more news.
