summary
Introduced
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
In Committee
02/19/2025
02/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill allows a county to secede from the state of Iowa by the adoption of an ordinance. A county that adopts an ordinance to secede from the state of Iowa ceases to be a political subdivision of the state for all purposes and the county and the residents of the county shall no longer be subject to the laws or Constitution of the State of Iowa. The bill requires all property, real or personal, that is owned by the state of Iowa and located in a county that secedes from the state to remain under the ownership and control of the state. The bill requires an ordinance to secede from the state of Iowa to have an effective date of not less than one year after the date of adoption. The bill does not apply unless the county has approval from the federal government and another state to become part of the other state, or unless the county has approval from the federal government to become its own state or territory.
AI Summary
This bill proposes a mechanism for an Iowa county to secede from the state through the adoption of a specific ordinance. Under the proposed legislation, when a county passes such an ordinance, it would cease to be a political subdivision of Iowa and would no longer be subject to state laws or the state constitution. The bill requires that any state-owned property within the seceding county would remain under state ownership, and mandates that the secession ordinance cannot take effect for at least one year after its adoption. Importantly, the bill includes a critical caveat that the secession process is only valid if the county receives approval from the federal government to either join another state or become its own independent state or territory. This proposed legislation represents an unprecedented approach to potential county-level separation from a state, though its practical implementation would likely face significant legal and constitutional challenges.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, referred to Judiciary. H.J. 359. (on 02/19/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF477 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF477.html |
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