Another year, another Iowa Legislative Session and a possible run at legislative action to protect sports officials. In the Senate, it’s called SF50 or Senate File 50, and the House has their version of the bill called HF52.
The Senate will hold a subcommittee meeting on Wed. 1/22/2025 at 3:00 p.m. in the Senate Lounge at the State Capitol. Anyone may attend or speak at this hearing to give public comment, a Zoom link will be available to attend or comment remotely on the Senate version, but not in the House (I’m trying to find the link for this to attend via Zoom). This subcommittee is lead by Senators Jeff Reichman (R of Keokuk), Herman Quirmbach (D of Ames) and Scott Webster (R of Bettendorf).
This bill essentially adds the title “sports official” to a long list of others, making this assault a felony. It says, “A person who commits an assault against a peace officer, jailer, corrections officer, …with the intent to inflict serious injury is guilty of a class “D” felony. They’re also guity of another class “D” felony if that person uses or displays a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault. But in certain cases, this crime could also be classified as a serious misdemeanor
If you follow this link and really want to get into the weeds, you’ll see which lobbyists groups have declared For, Against, or Undecided on this matter. You’ll also see their definition of a sports official and other details, such as potential limits to liability for injuries a player might incur in any contest we officiate.
We’ll update this post with any new developments, such as whether the senate committee recommends this for floor discussion and a possible vote. In previous years this topic has not made it past the funnell week or essentially died due to lack of interest or treated as less of a priority.
Please get involved and contact your State Senator or Representative to let them know if you have an opinion here.
01/22/2025 Subcommittee recommends passage.
01/15/2025 Subcommittee Meeting: 01/22/2025 8:00AM House Lounge 2.
01/15/2025 Subcommittee: Rinker, Gustoff and Levin. H.J. 82.
01/14/2025 Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 46.
Looks like it’s moving forward in both house and senate. Article in The Iowa Capital Dispatch. https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/01/22/bill-raising-penalties-for-assaulting-sports-referees-moves-forward/
An update: this bill has a decent chance of getting past the first funnel deadline of March 7, only needs to get past the committee on either house or senate by then. Senate Judiciary is lead by chair Jason Schultz and Matt Blake is the ranking member. Send either or both of them an email expressing your support, perhaps we can get it through committee this year for floor discussion and a vote. Both versions seem to be moving simultaneously, so if it gets past the funnel deadline it’s likely to make it to the Governor’s desk.
This bill is dead: After the first funnel deadline, this has NOT been brought forward for debate, nor has it received a floor vote in either chamber. Better luck next year.
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/03/07/funnel-week-2025-what-bills-are-alive-dead-at-iowa-statehouse-after-first-deadline/