House File 321 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 321 BY FISHER A BILL FOR An Act relating to magistrate qualifications. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 2 TLSB 2336YH (1) 91 cm/ns
H.F. 321 Section 1. Section 602.6404, subsection 3, Code 2025, 1 is amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu 2 thereof the following: 3 3. A person is not required to be an attorney licensed to 4 practice law in this state as a condition of being appointed to 5 the office of magistrate, but a county magistrate appointing 6 commission shall first consider applicants who are admitted 7 to practice law in this state when selecting persons for the 8 office of magistrate. 9 EXPLANATION 10 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 11 the explanations substance by the members of the general assembly. 12 This bill relates to magistrate qualifications. Under 13 current law, a magistrate is required to be an attorney 14 licensed to practice in the state unless the magistrate 15 was holding office on April 1, 2009. The bill removes the 16 requirement that a magistrate be a licensed attorney and 17 provides that licensed attorneys instead receive first 18 consideration. The bill substantively matches the provision 19 in effect prior to 2009. 20 -1- LSB 2336YH (1) 91 cm/ns 1/ 1