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 February 13, 2026 newsletter (Week 5)
- iTIP Bill Tracker (information available to members, please login to member portal to access)
ACTION ALERT: CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
School Start Date Legislation
SF 2175 : an omnibus school choice bill with the school start date legislation tucked in on page 14 has a subcommittee scheduled for next week.
- Members: Green-CH, Quirmbach, Rozenboom
Date: 2/16/2026 @ 10 AM
Location: Room 315 (Zoom Link)
Industry voices are needed now. When contacting your senator, share how an earlier start date would impact your local community, attraction, or event, and highlight the workforce challenges this change would create during Iowa’s peak tourism season. Download the school start date fact sheet.
Tourism Improvement Districts (TID)
- HSB 734 has been introduced and assigned a subcommittee. TID legislation is not subject to funnel rules as it is being moved through Ways & Means Committees.
– Megan Jones – CH (Spencer), Bill Gustoff (DSM), Elizabeth Wilson (Cedar Rapids) - Talking points: Feel free to use the following talking points with elected officials to educate the importance of this legislation.
- Industry-led, not taxpayer-funded: Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs) are funded by the lodging industry itself and is passed on to visitors, creating a “no new taxes on residents” model while strengthening Iowa’s tourism economy. This is enabling legislation only that provides local hoteliers and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) or tourism-based organizations the opportunity to form a district to drive increased tourism activities which benefit the industry. The Iowa Lodging Association is in support of TIDs.
- Proven nationwide success: There are 221 active TIDs across 25 states serving both rural communities and urban areas. These TIDs have collectively generated about $724.8 million annually, demonstrating strong bipartisan adoption and measurable results in peer states. Iowa must keep its competitive edge.
- Local control and accountability: Formation requires signed petitions from hoteliers only, business owners, public notice, and hearings, ensuring transparency at all levels of the process. A governance structure is created by the hoteliers at the local level in partnership with its tourism-based organizations to manage the TID.
- Drives measurable economic growth: TID funds support tourism promotion, marketing, workforce development, sales missions, and destination development — investments shown in other states to increase overnight stays, attract major events, and grow visitor spending. Iowa and the communities in the state competing for increased tourism must be competitively positioned.
- Creates stable, dedicated tourism funding: Unlike traditional public funding streams, TIDs establish a reliable and supplemental public-private partnership revenue source that cannot be diverted to unrelated municipal expenses, helping Iowa destinations stay competitive.
