Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF570

Introduced

3/10/25

Refer

3/11/25

Caption

A bill for an act creating a specialty business court, providing fees, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1203; See SF 639.)

Impact

If enacted, SF570 will establish a distinct legal framework within Iowa’s judicial system, allowing the business court to function with the same powers as district courts but specifically tailored to business matters. The court will have jurisdiction over controversies involving amounts exceeding ten million dollars and specific actions relating to business governance and internal affairs. By focusing on these business-specific issues, the bill aims to reduce the burden on regular district courts and expedite the resolution of high-stakes business disputes, potentially fostering a more favorable environment for businesses.

Summary

Senate File 570 proposes the creation of a specialty business court in Iowa designed specifically to adjudicate civil actions related to significant commercial transactions and other business-related disputes. The court is intended to streamline legal proceedings for cases with substantial amounts in controversy and enhance the efficiency of judicial handling in complex business cases. This initiative is expected to bolster the state’s attractiveness for business operations by providing a more focused legal environment for resolving disputes.

Contention

Debate surrounding SF570 has highlighted both support and concerns. Proponents argue that the creation of a specialized court will lead to more informed and efficient judgments in business-related cases, thus supporting economic growth. Critics, however, express worries that a separate business court could create inequalities in access to justice for smaller businesses that may not be able to afford the fees associated with higher-stakes court proceedings. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the implications of the governor's appointment power over judges, particularly regarding potential biases in judicial decision-making.

Companion Bills

IA SSB1203

Related A bill for an act creating a specialty business court, providing fees, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 570, SF 639.)

IA SF639

Similar To A bill for an act creating a specialty business court, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 570, SSB 1203.)

Previously Filed As

IA SF544

A bill for an act providing for business organizations, including limited liability companies, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1188.)

IA SSB1188

A bill for an act providing for business organizations, including limited liability companies, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 544.)

IA HF655

A bill for an act providing for business organizations, including limited liability companies, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 207.) Effective date: 01/01/2024.

IA SF549

A bill for an act relating to captive insurance companies, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 509, SF 424.) Effective date: 07/01/2023, 01/01/2025. Applicability date: 01/01/2025.

IA SF509

A bill for an act relating to captive insurance companies, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 424; See SF 549.)

IA SF2347

A bill for an act providing for limited liability companies, providing for fees, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3147.)

IA SF286

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1136.)

IA SSB3150

A bill for an act regulating litigation financing contracts, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2446

A bill for an act providing for certain business entities by establishing a military service filing fee waiver, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 632.)

IA HSB207

A bill for an act providing for business organizations, including limited liability companies, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 655.)

Similar Bills

HI HB2223

Relating To The Judiciary.

LA SB74

Provides relative to criminal court jurisdiction over juveniles. (8/1/25) (EG SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

TX HB3290

Relating to the adoption of special threat response policies by school districts and special threat response policies and protocols by law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in school districts and of standard terminology for special threat response by the Texas Education Agency.