Iowa House passes House File 2749 to revise declaration-of-value rules for property deeds

The Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 2749 on the floor, approving changes to the requirements for submitting a declaration of value when recording deeds or instruments conveying real property in Iowa, the bill’s sponsor said.

Representative Holt, the bill’s sponsor, opened debate by calling it “the most noncontroversial bill I’ve ever run” and said the measure revises declaration-of-value requirements for real-estate recordings in Iowa. Representative Wikindoll, who said she served on the bill’s subcommittee, urged colleagues to support it and said it “removes some… clutter in the code.”

After a brief floor exchange the chair recognized a motion to read the bill for the last time and place it on final passage. The clerk read the bill’s caption on the floor as relating to the real estate transfer tax and declarations of value. The clerk then opened the voting machine for a recorded vote; members called when their names were read registered “Aye,” including Hayes, Golding, Shipley, Momsen and Bosman. The clerk reported the final tally as 90 ayes, 0 nays and 10 not voting, which the chair declared a constitutional majority sufficient for passage.

Following passage, Representative Kaufman asked that the House immediately message several bills to the Senate and the chair ordered those messages. Kaufman also asked unanimous consent to withdraw House File 2581 in light of the passage of Senate File 2304; the chair ordered the withdrawal when no objection was heard.

The House then agreed to a motion to adjourn; Representative Kaufman moved that the chamber adjourn until Tuesday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m., and the chair declared the House adjourned.

The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.