House adopts bill tightening legislative review of major administrative rules

The Iowa House passed House File 2717, a bill to refine legislative oversight of administrative rulemaking. Proponents said the bill creates a more targeted referral model for the Administrative Rules and Review Committee (ARC), allowing ARC to send specific major rules to legislative leadership for ratification rather than requiring universal automatic ratification.

Representative Wills, who presented the amendment package adopted on the floor, said the changes narrow the ratification requirement, set objective criteria for referral, and codify review timing under Iowa Code section 17.1(8). She also offered an amendment to raise the threshold defining a major rule (H8318), changing the annual threshold from $200,000 to $1,000,000 and the five‑year threshold from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000; that amendment was adopted.

Supporters argued the bill balances oversight and efficient governance; Representative Magnaske raised concerns about potential effects on future governors' emergency powers and possible litigation or administrative clogging. Representative Lollar closed for the proponents, saying the measure restores legislative checks while preserving emergency exceptions and public notice requirements. The House adopted the bill as amended (vote: 60 aye, 32 no, 8 absent). The enrolled measure will be transmitted to the Senate.