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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 2138 Restricts Alcohol Industry Ties and Political Activity for State Officials
Last action · June 2, 2026: Signed by Governor . H.J. 1166 .
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What This Bill Does
Senate File 2138 prohibits members of the alcoholic beverages commission and the director of revenue from holding financial interests in alcohol manufacturing or sales, restricts commission members from using their office to promote political views, and bars Department of Revenue employees from licensing or enforcing alcohol rules where they hold ownership interests or employment ties. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.
The law alters conflict-of-interest standards and political neutrality rules for state officials overseeing alcohol regulation, making violators subject to disciplinary action including potential termination.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Members of the Alcoholic Beverages Commission
Commission members face new restrictions on holding financial interests in alcohol businesses and are explicitly barred from using their office for political persuasion.
Director of Revenue
The director is subject to strict conflict-of-interest prohibitions regarding financial stakes in alcohol enterprises and properties.
Department of Revenue Employees
Employees are prohibited from licensing, permitting, or enforcing rules against any alcohol-related business in which they hold an ownership interest or employment control position.
Key Facts
- Not more than two members of the alcoholic beverages commission may hold permits, licenses, or financial interests in the manufacture, wholesale, or retail sale of alcoholic beverages, except as institutional investors.
- Commission members are prohibited from directly or indirectly using their office to influence, persuade, or induce any person to adopt their political views or favor political candidates.
- The director of revenue is prohibited from having any financial interest in the manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages, or mortgages/deeds of trust on properties used for alcoholic beverage businesses.
- Department of Revenue employees are barred from licensing, permitting, or participating in the licensing process for any person, business, or organization if the employee has an ownership interest or employment control position with them.
Show all 8 facts
- Department of Revenue employees are barred from enforcing alcohol laws or rules against any entity in which they hold an ownership interest or employment control position.
- A director of revenue or department employee who violates the restrictions is subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge from employment.
- Commission members, the director of revenue, and department employees remain legally permitted to purchase and keep alcoholic beverages in their personal possession.
- The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the law prevent state officials from buying or possessing alcohol for personal use?
What happens if a Department of Revenue employee violates these conflict-of-interest rules?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
55 actions- Jun 2, 2026HouseEnrolledSigned by Governor . H.J. 1166 .
- May 6, 2026HouseReported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor. H.J. 1164 .
- May 1, 2026HouseExplanation of vote. H.J. 1082 .
- Apr 28, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 1031 .
- Apr 28, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 902 .
- Apr 28, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 43, nays 4. S.J. 902 .
Show 49 earlier actions
- Apr 28, 2026SenateFloorConference committee report adopted. S.J. 901 .
- Apr 27, 2026HouseMessage from House. S.J. 881 .
- Apr 23, 2026SenateConference committee report filed. S.J. 879 .
- Apr 23, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 996 .
- Apr 23, 2026HouseFloorPassed House , yeas 87, nays 0. H.J. 991 .
- Apr 23, 2026HouseFloorConference committee report adopted. H.J. 991 .
- Apr 23, 2026HouseConference committee report filed. H.J. 988 .
- Apr 21, 2026HouseMessage from House. S.J. 843 .
- Apr 20, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 947 .
- Apr 20, 2026HouseHouse conference committee appointed : Jones, Chair; Collins, Bloomingdale, Baeth, and Nielsen. H.J. 936 .
- Apr 16, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 932 .
- Apr 16, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 818 .
- Apr 16, 2026SenateSenate conference committee appointed : Green, chair; Bisignano, Bousselot, Drey, and Koelker. S.J. 824 .
- Apr 16, 2026SenateSenate insisted. S.J. 816 .
- Apr 8, 2026HouseMessage from House. S.J. 748 .
- Apr 7, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 835 .
- Apr 7, 2026HouseHouse refused to concur with Senate amendment H-8285 . H.J. 827 .
- Apr 1, 2026HouseSenate amendment H-8285 filed. H.J. 804 .
- Apr 1, 2026HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 801 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateImmediate message. S.J. 707 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 43, nays 3. S.J. 707 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateFloorAmendment S-5151 filed, adopted. S.J. 706 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateAmendment S-5128 withdrawn. S.J. 706 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateSubstituted for SF 2138 . S.J. 706 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateWithdrawn. S.J. 707 .
- Apr 1, 2026SenateHF 2200 substituted. S.J. 706 .
- Mar 24, 2026SenateAmendment S-5128 filed. S.J. 642 .
- Mar 19, 2026SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 599 .
- Mar 19, 2026SenatePlaced on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 599 .
- Mar 10, 2026SenateIntroducedRead first time, attached to SF 2138 . S.J. 546 .
- Mar 10, 2026HouseMessage from House. S.J. 546 .
- Mar 10, 2026HouseImmediate message. H.J. 630 .
- Mar 10, 2026HouseFloorPassed House , yeas 88, nays 4. H.J. 623 .
- Mar 10, 2026SenateAttached to HF 2200 . S.J. 546 .
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. H.J. 173 .
- Jan 29, 2026Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2200 .
- Jan 28, 2026Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 2138 .
- Jan 28, 2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 163 .
- Jan 28, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 157 .
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee vote: Yeas, 18. Nays, 2. Excused, 3. H.J. 162 .
- Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report, recommending passage. H.J. 162 .
- Jan 26, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Jan 21, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/26/2026 12:00PM RM 305.
- Jan 21, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Jan 20, 2026HouseSubcommittee: Jones, Baeth and Bossman. H.J. 128 .
- Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, referred to State Government. H.J. 124 .
- Jan 20, 2026SenateSubcommittee Meeting: 01/21/2026 3:00PM Senate Lounge.
- Jan 15, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Green, Drey, and Koelker.
- Jan 15, 2026Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to State Government.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
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Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance55How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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