State lawmakers decided to table a bill to criminalize homelessness after hearing Iowans speak out against it. The bill would have made unauthorized sleeping in public places a misdemeanor punishable by fine or jail time and forced houseless people into designated camps and parking lots.
Senate Study Bill 3175 was copied from a piece of legislation by The Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank. Many of the speakers were local community and professional advocates for houseless people, and they emphasized to lawmakers that the bill directly contradicts best practices for mitigating poverty.
@iowastartingline A bill that would criminalize #homelessness and force people into camps was discussed today in the #Iowa ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line
WATCH: Health care workers in Iowa unionize
Here's how River Hills workers in southeast Iowa won their union, despite opposition from their company.
WATCH: The Energy Bills Relief Act could crack down on price gouging and lower costs. 👀
Energy prices are rising faster than inflation—and Congress is finally talking about it. The Energy Bills Relief Act could crack down on price...
WATCH: Maliah Kome knows what it’s like to grow up trans nonbinary in rural Iowa.
Maliah Kome knows what it's like to grow up trans nonbinary in rural Iowa. Hear her story.
WATCH: Iowa Republicans voted to cut Medicaid and are now raising your health insurance taxes
Iowa Republicans voted to cut Medicaid, promised it wouldn't hurt anyone, and are now raising your health insurance taxes to clean up the mess.
WATCH: 50+ No Kings protests are happening across Iowa this Saturday
50+ No Kings protests are happening across Iowa this Saturday, March 28, 2026.
WATCH: Iowa Rep. Jeff Shipley called a Cedar Falls resident slurs over the Ivermectin bill
Iowa Rep. Jeff Shipley called a Cedar Falls resident slurs after he confronted Shipley about a bill to make Ivermectin available over the counter.
