Inside the Dome: 2026 Legislative Programming

ADVOCACY STARTS NOW!

As the 2026 legislative session gets underway, iTIP is focused on advocating for policies that support Iowa’s tourism and hospitality industry.

iTIP’s advocacy efforts are rooted in member needs and real-world industry impact. From funding and workforce considerations to long-term destination competitiveness, the priorities outlined for this session reflect the issues that matter most to tourism businesses, organizations, and destinations across Iowa.

 

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMMING

To help members stay informed and engaged, iTIP is offering several opportunities in January to learn more about the legislative process and connect directly with policymakers. Participation helps reinforce the collective voice of Iowa’s tourism industry. Attendance at legislative events is free, but RSVPs are encouraged to ensure appropriate accommodations.

• Legislative Session Preview Webinar
  • January 8 @ 2 PM
• Advocacy 101: Legislative Training Day
  • January 21 @ 1 – 4 PM
• Iowa Tourism Night
  • January 21 @ 5 – 8 PM

 

IOWA TOURISM NIGHT

Iowa Tourism Night is an opportunity for the tourism and hospitality industry to come together and connect with Iowa’s elected officials in a setting focused on connection and conversation. The evening allows legislators to hear directly from the people behind Iowa’s destinations, attractions, lodging, events, and communities. It also helps them better understand how tourism supports jobs, local economies, and quality of life across the state.

Legislators typically attend events like this when they know constituents from their district will be in the room. Member participation and personal invitations are critical to strong legislative attendance. Members are asked to invite their elected officials using the postcard invitation so legislators know they will have constituents in attendance.

Thank you Iowa Tourism Night Sponsors

Events like this are made possible through the generous support of our partners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 TOURISM PRIORITIES

Members should have recently received a printed copy of iTIP’s 2026 Legislative Priorities in the mail. You may download a copy online. These priorities were shaped through industry input and guide our work at the Capitol throughout the session. Members are encouraged to share this document with state, city, and county elected officials in their area. If additional copies are needed, please reach out.

The 2026 priorities focus on:

1. Keep Iowa Competitive
   1. Advance new opportunities such as Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs), which give local hospitality partners the ability to collectively invest in marketing and development initiatives. Protect critical existing sources like the hotel/motel tax that communities rely on to support tourism growth.
2. Maintain Iowa’s Summer Tourism Season
   1. Safeguard the current school start date of August 23 to ensure a strong end-of-summer tourism season that benefits attractions, events, and communities across Iowa. Preserving this timeframe protects an important period of visitor spending and seasonal employment, supporting jobs and local businesses.
3. Preserve and Grow State Investment in Tourism
   1. Continue funding proven programs such as Destination Iowa, Regional Sports Authority Districts (RSAD), and Community Attraction & Tourism (CAT). Sustained investment in the Iowa Tourism Office and outdoor recreation programs is essential to expand statewide impact and ensure communities across Iowa benefit from tourism growth.
4. Make New Tourism Programs Work for Iowa
   1. With the new Major Events & Tourism Fund now established, the focus is on making sure it is implemented effectively. Proper rollout will ensure Iowa can compete for large-scale events and projects that bring national attention and economic impact to our state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION DATES:

• January 12, 2026 – First day of Iowa’s 2026 Legislative Session.
• January 13, 2026 – Governor’s Condition of the State address. Governor Reynolds will discuss her budget and policy priorities.
• February 20, 2026 – First Funnel: Final date for Senate bills and joint resolutions to be reported out of Senate committees and House bills and joint resolutions out of House committees.
• March 2026 – March REC
• March 20, 2026 – Second Funnel: Final date for Senate bills and joint resolutions to be reported out of House committees and House bills and joint resolutions out of Senate committees.
• April 21, 2026 – 100th calendar day of the session: per diem expenses end
• June 2, 2026 – Primary election.
• July 1, 2026 – FY 2027 begins. Standard effective date for bills.
• November 3, 2026 – General election.