Iowa Senate approves House File 2694 after debate over continuing-appropriations language criticized as a 'power grab'
The Iowa Senate on April 29, 2026 passed House File 2694, approving amendments that (1) create a continuing-appropriations mechanism that can take effect if the Legislature passes and presents a budget that is not enacted and (2) correct drafting in public-health language. Critics called the continuing-appropriations provision a bid to limit a future governor's authority; the Senate approved the bill by a constitutional majority and immediately messaged it to the House.
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The Iowa Senate on April 29, 2026 passed House File 2694 after adopting two amendments that rework emergency-powers and public-health language and add a continuing-appropriations mechanism to keep prior-year appropriations in place if the General Assembly passes and presents a budget that is not subsequently enacted.
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