In the early days of Black History Month 2026 Iowa Republicans brought forward a proposed “3 Strikes" law which has since passed the House Judiciary Committee. I am reaching out as part of an organized inter-communal effort to oppose this 3 strikes bill. Our plan is simple; to pressure house leadership (and if necessary, senate leadership and Governor Reynolds) to KILL THIS BILL. 

Obviously, a "3 Strikes" law would be disastrous for communities - especially Black, Brown and poor - as well as for the Iowa correctional system. Iowa already incarcerates Black people at 9x the rate of white Iowans; Indigenous Iowans are incarcerated at 13x that rate; and Iowa has the most overcrowded prison system in the United States, currently at 123% of maximum capacity.

This bill would cost $165 million over 5 years for state taxpayers.  Not only that, it would require the construction of a new prison, which could cost upwards of an additional $150 million. That puts the total cost of 3 strikes in Iowa at over $300 million, at a time where the state deficit is already at $1.8 billion. This is not including the cost to local state governments and court systems, and also not including, of course, the human cost on Iowa's most vulnerable communities. 

We cannot afford 3 Strikes in Iowa!

We urge you to contact Senate Judiciary Committee Leadership and DEMAND they KILL HF2542 - The 3 Strikes Bill. 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair: Jason Schultz
Capitol phone: (515) 281-3371
Legislative email: jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov

Senate Judiciary Committee Vice Chair: Julian B. Garrett
Capitol Phone: 515.281.3371
Legislative Email: julian.garrett@legis.iowa.gov

Ranking Member: Matt Blake
Capitol Phone: 515.281.3371
Legislative Email: matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov

SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION TO SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. STOP HF2542!!!