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HSB 285

A bill for an act relating to the enforcement of immigration laws, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill makes knowingly failing to follow immigration enforcement requirements a class D felony and mandates revocation of an officer’s certification.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 946.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HSB 285

Summary of HSB 285 / HF 946 (Immigration Enforcement)

Overview

  • Bill: HSB 285, later renumbered by committees as HF 946
  • Title: A bill for an act relating to the enforcement of immigration laws, and providing penalties
  • Introduced: March 4, 2025
  • Status: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as HF 946
  • Topic: Immigration; enforcement by law enforcement officers

Purpose: Establish penalties for law enforcement officers who knowingly fail to comply with the requirements of Chapter 27A (enforcement of immigration laws), and require mandatory revocation of certification for officers who are convicted of such failure.

Key Provisions

  • Section 27A.12 – Failure to comply

    • Creates the offense: Any law enforcement officer, including an elected sheriff, who knowingly and intentionally fails to comply with the requirements of Chapter 27A shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a class “D” felony.
    • Penalties for conviction: Class D felony, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine ranging from $1,025 to $10,245.

  • Certification consequences

    • Conviction under this section constitutes grounds for mandatory revocation of the officer’s certification by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) under section 80B.13A, subsection 2, paragraph “a.”

Affected Parties

  • Law enforcement officers in Iowa, including elected sheriffs
  • Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), responsible for certifications and revocations

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: March 4, 2025
  • Subcommittee: Holt, James, and Wheeler (convened March 5, 2025)
  • Subcommittee action: March 5, 2025 (recommended passage)
  • Committee actions:
    • March 6, 2025 – Committee report recommending passage; bill renumbered as HF 946
    • March 12, 2025 – Committee report approving bill (renumbered HF 946)

Potential Impact

  • Accountability: Establishes a strict felony standard and mandatory certification revocation for noncompliance with immigration enforcement requirements.
  • Deterrence: Signals strong penalties for officers who deliberately fail to follow Chapter 27A procedures.
  • Operational effects: Could affect investigations, training, and adherence to immigration enforcement protocols; may influence officer discipline and certification status.

Notes

  • The accompanying explanatory text clarifies that its inclusion does not reflect agreement with the explanation’s substance by all members of the General Assembly.
  • The bill is scoped to enforcement of immigration laws and specifies serious consequences for noncompliance by officers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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