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Iowa Senate Bill SF613
Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session
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Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF613

Introduced
3/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act concerning the regulation and support of leisure activities, including by providing for gambling enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism marketing and infrastructure program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1157; See SF 625.)

Impact

The enactment of SF613 would have notable implications for the state's gambling framework by standardizing rates and appropriations which can bolster the state's public safety initiatives through dedicated funding. By reallocating funds previously managed under varied tax and fee structures, the bill aims to streamline financial resources towards tourism and event promotion, thereby enhancing economic development within the state. This realignment may attract larger events, potentially driving significant visitor engagement and revenue generation from tourism-related activities.

Summary

Senate File 613 (SF613) focuses on the regulation and support of leisure activities, specifically addressing gambling enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the allocation of associated revenue. The bill proposes an increase in the tax rate imposed on sports wagering net receipts from 6.75% to 9%, with funds from this taxation directed to a newly established Iowa major events and tourism fund. Additionally, the bill includes financial appropriations of $8 million annually from the sports wagering receipts fund for public safety equipment, which is used by the Department of Public Safety to maintain and replace necessary equipment.

Contention

Despite its economic motivations, SF613 may face opposition from those concerned about the increased tax burden on sports wagering operators, which could translate to higher costs for consumers. Critics might argue that the emphasis on tourism and event sponsorship funding could detract from other essential services or divert resources away from necessary public support programs. Moreover, the modification and repeal of the existing sports tourism marketing program could spark debate on the effectiveness and future of other funding mechanisms for sports initiatives across Iowa.

Companion Bills

IA SSB1157

Related A bill for an act concerning the regulation and support of leisure activities, including by providing for gambling games and sports wagering enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism marketing and infrastructure program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 613, SF 625.)

IA SF625

Similar To A bill for an act relating to gambling regulation, including enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 613, SSB 1157.)

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1157

A bill for an act concerning the regulation and support of leisure activities, including by providing for gambling games and sports wagering enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism marketing and infrastructure program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 613, SF 625.)

IA SF625

A bill for an act relating to gambling regulation, including enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SF 613, SSB 1157.)

IA SF640

A bill for an act relating to economic development by establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism and marketing infrastructure program, and making appropriations.(Formerly SF 621.)

IA SF621

A bill for an act relating to economic development by establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism and marketing infrastructure program, and making appropriations.(See SF 640.)

IA SF650

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1238.)

IA SSB1238

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, providing for related matters including county payment for district court furnishings, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, and eliminating the sports tourism marketing program and fund, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 650.)

IA SF660

A bill for an act relating to sports wagering and tourism, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1240.) Effective date: 06/11/2025, 07/01/2025.

IA SF2484

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund, technology reinvestment fund, and renewable fuel infrastructure fund, providing for related matters including financial assistance eligibility for regional sports authority districts, department of health and human services information technology systems, the railway tracks overpass and underpass fund, and eligibility for entities to receive financial assistance from both the Iowa major events and tourism fund and the sports tourism infrastructure program, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 3187.) Effective date: Enactment, 07/01/2026

IA SF465

A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority and the Iowa finance authority including the strategic infrastructure program, brownfield, grayfield, and redevelopment tax credits, community attraction and tourism, vision Iowa, sports tourism marketing, the historic preservation tax credit, homelessness, the title guaranty board, and arts and culture, and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1106; See SF 622, SF 642.)

IA SSB1240

A bill for an act making appropriations from the sports wagering receipts fund, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 660.)

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IA HF182

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