Iowa Senate Bill SF2389

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/26

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the payment of per diem to members of the general assembly.(Formerly SF 2209.)

Impact

The new bill, SF2389, directly impacts the financial compensation of assembly members, making it financially more sensitive to the actual legislative calendar. By shortening the duration of time members can claim per diem, the bill might lead to a reduction in overall compensation for those serving in the assembly, effectively limiting payments to a shorter legislative period. This could also encourage legislators to be more mindful of their session attendance and participation, as their compensation structure changes.

Summary

Senate File 2389 is legislation introduced to modify the per diem compensation structure for members of the Iowa General Assembly. The bill changes the eligibility period during which members receive per diem payments from the first 110 calendar days of the first session and the first 100 days of the second session, to a reduced period of the first 55 calendar days for the first session and the first 50 days for the second session. This adjustment aims to more closely align per diem payments with the actual duration that lawmakers are engaged in legislative activities.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SF2389 involve balancing fair compensation for lawmakers and accountability measures to ensure that legislative work is concentrated within a defined period. Proponents believe that by reducing per diem eligibility duration, the state can save on government spending while ensuring that legislators remain focused during their active session periods. Critics, however, may argue that such changes could deter prospective legislators from serving, especially those with less financial flexibility, thereby impacting the diversity and representation within the assembly.