DES MOINES, Iowa - A bill to let landlords refuse housing vouchers is headed to Governor Kim Reynolds.
The Senate has passed a bill approved by the House earlier this week to let landlords decide whether to accept low-income rental vouchers such as Section 8.
It does away with city ordinances that prohibit landlords from discriminating against renters who use the vouchers.
The bill gives those cities - Des Moines, Iowa City and Marion - almost two years to adjust to the change in regulation.
Republicans say the legislation prevents landlords from being forced to accept federal vouchers while Democrats say it amounts to discrimination against low-income renters.
The bill was originally passed along party lines in the Senate, but was amended in the House to take effect at the beginning of 2023.
It's supported by the Iowa Apartment Association and landlord groups, and opposed by a wide range for groups representing cities, counties, credit unions, churches, lawyers and mental health interests.
Governor Reynolds has not indicated when she might sign the bill into law.