Policymakers to Know Heading into 2026

We are approximately one month away until the second session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly convenes. The 2026 legislative session will begin on January 12 and is tentatively set to adjourn on April 21. Though it’s an election year, policymakers are still set to focus on many substantive issues that will generate buzz including property tax cuts and reform, the Iowa Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recommendations and more. Meet some of the leaders who will be driving that agenda.

Governor Kim Reynolds – The governor announced she would be not run for re-election in 2026 during the spring of this year. She’s been an extraordinary champion for business and industry as she has spearheaded the pro-growth reform of our tax climate, transformed our unemployment insurance system into a reemployment system, signed multiple bills enhancing our legal climate, made state government much more efficient and more. At the top of her final legislative agenda as governor is property tax and the DOGE recommendations.

House Speaker Pat Grassley – Pat has been the Speaker since the 2020 legislative session. He was first elected to the House in 2006 and is one of the longest serving members of his caucus of 66. The Speaker sets the agenda for the lower chamber. He works as a farmer and represents House District 57, which is all of Butler and parts of Bremer Counties.

House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann – Bobby was elected by his GOP peers in August to serve as the new Majority Leader in the House. He replaced longtime Leader Matt Windschitl. He was previously the Ways & Means Chair and before that, the State Government Chair. The Majority Leader decides which bills get put on the calendar for debate on the floor. He represents House District 82, which is all of Cedar and parts of Muscatine and Scott Counties. Kaufmann is a small business owner and livestock farmer.

House Ways & Means Chair Carter Nordman – Carter is the newly minted chair of the Tax Writing Committee in the lower chamber as former chair Bobby Kaufmann became Majority Leader. During the 2025 session, he was the Health and Human Services Chair and prior to that, he chaired the Education Budget Subcommittee. He was elected in 2020 and works as a financial advisor. He will be in the thick of the premier public policy item of the 2026 legislative session as property tax cuts and reform is under his committee’s jurisdiction. He represents House District 47, which is all of Greene and Guthrie and parts of Dallas Counties.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh – Mike was just elected to the position of Majority Leader by his GOP colleagues in October. Mike, who previously chaired the Health and Human Services Committee, replaced longtime Leader Jack Whitver. He represents Senate District 32, which is all of Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Clayton and parts of Fayette and Dubuque Counties. Mike was elected to the upper chamber in 2020 and has previously worked as a plant manager. He was the Mayor of Spillville for several years as well. Nothing comes to the floor of the Senate without the Majority Leader’s approval.

Senate President Amy Sinclair – Amy is a longtime senator who was first elected in 2012. She became the president of the upper chamber at the end of 2022. She’s a former county supervisor as well. Amy represents Senate District 12, which is all of Decatur, Wayne, Lucas, Clarke, Madison and Adair and parts of Union, Appanoose and Dallas Counties. The President plays a very significant role in the chamber as she governs debate on the floor and rules on points of order and whether amendments are germane.

Senate Ways & Means Chair Dan Dawson – Dan was first elected to the upper chamber in 2016, which is the cycle where the GOP established their first trifecta across state government in 20 years. He represents Senate District 10, which is Council Bluffs. Dan has played a critical and leading role in reforming Iowa’s tax climate over the last several years. With property tax cuts and reform being center stage next year, he will be driving a lot of those conversations.

To learn even more about what’s in store for the 2026 legislative session, attend ABI’s Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will take place on Wednesday, January 14. You will have the opportunity to interact with numerous legislators and officials. Governor Reynolds, all 150 legislators and several state agency directors will be invited. You will also receive a comprehensive preview of ABI’s agenda for the session. Learn more by going to www.iowaabi.org or contact Brad Hartkopf at bhartkopf@iowaabi.org if you have any questions. ABI