Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Archives Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate passes bill removing Iowa City research‑center requirement after extended debate
Summary
The Senate approved Senate File 2293 to remove the statutory requirement that a State Historical Society research center be maintained in Iowa City, prompting extended floor debate about public access, preservation and executive‑branch decision‑making; the measure passed 28–17.
Madam President — the Senate on the floor approved Senate File 2293, which removes the statutory requirement that the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) maintain a State Historical Society research center in Iowa City and leaves the Des Moines requirement unchanged. Senator Kelker moved final passage after floor debate and the bill passed 28–17.
Opponents led by Senator Stade urged a no vote, saying the change “threatens to cause lasting harm to priceless historical records” and warned that separating library and archival holdings would reduce public access and damage irreplaceable materials. Stade told colleagues the Iowa City collections include extensive unique holdings — including “8,000 linear feet of original manuscripts” and a photograph collection exceeding 1,000,000 images — and said cataloging and preservation capacity in Iowa City would be lost if the center is closed.
Senator Weiner likewise urged rejection, saying the move followed an executive decision by the Department of Administrative Services under then‑director Adam Steen and called that action a violation of law. “This is the kind of executive action and corruption that Iowans hate,” Weiner said on the floor, adding there were pending lawsuits and an injunction limiting removal of materials.
Supporters, including Senator Kelker, said the items will be preserved, transferred to appropriate local historical institutions or the state archives in Des Moines, and that a short‑term partnership with the University of Iowa will maintain public access through mid‑2026. Kelker argued the statute is outdated and that collections will not be discarded. He urged colleagues to approve the change to align statute with current administration plans.
The vote on final passage was 28 in favor, 17 opposed. After passage, the sponsor asked unanimous consent to immediately message the bill to the other chamber.
What happens next: With Senate passage, the measure moves to the other chamber and, if enacted there and signed, the statutory requirement for an Iowa City research center would be removed. Opponents emphasized pending litigation and urged continued oversight and careful handling of archival materials.
