Stay informed with the latest updates from the Iowa State Capitol, tailored specifically for the tourism industry. The weekly newsletter, Inside the Dome: iTIP’s Legislative Insights, brings you key legislative news, a comprehensive bill tracker, and insights into how current policies impact Iowa’s tourism industry.
Special thanks to the team at Cornerstone Government Affairs for their dedicated advocacy on behalf of iTIP.
- Read the April 6, 2026 newsletter (Week 12)
- iTIP Bill Tracker (information available to members, please login to member portal to access)
TOURISM IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS (HSB 734): IMMEDIATE OUTREACH NEEDED
The Tourism Improvement Districts legislation (HSB 734) was scheduled to be discussed in House Ways & Means last week but was not taken up. As conversations continue, questions have been raised around bonding and how the assessment is perceived.
How you can help:
Please take a few minutes to reach out to members of House Ways & Means. If you already have a relationship, this is a great time to reconnect. If not, this is a valuable opportunity to introduce yourself and share why this matters to your community.
When sharing the bill’s value for your community, be specific. If you just write “grow tourism,” it’s easy for a legislator to gloss over. Providing one clear, tangible example helps make the impact real and easier to understand.
Tourism advocacy is a grassroots effort. It works because of the relationships you’ve built and the conversations you continue to have with elected officials. Every conversation helps move this work forward.
Building relationships with your elected officials does not have to be complicated, but it does take intention. In this short video, Dylan Does of Meet in Marshalltown sits down with Iowa State Senator Kara Warme for a real, unscripted conversation about what that connection can look like. It is a reminder that the people representing you in Des Moines are just that, people, and taking the time to build those relationships can make a meaningful difference in your advocacy efforts.