IA SF639

Establishes a specialty Business Court of Iowa under the Supreme Court to expeditiously resolve complex commercial and business litigation

Grants jurisdiction over cases with compensatory damages of $500,000 or more, or seeking injunctive/declaratory relief, involving technology licensing, internal business affairs, breach of contract, shareholder derivative actions, commercial bank transactions, trade secrets, noncompete agreements, commercial real estate disputes, antitrust, and securities-related matters

Requires the governor to appoint 2-3 judges from nominees selected by the state judicial nominating commission, with business court judges receiving the same salary as district court judges and subject to retention elections

Excludes from jurisdiction civil actions by/against governmental entities (unless they consent), personal injury/death claims, probate matters under chapters 633/633A, and professional negligence cases unless related to business court transactions

Takes effect September 1, 2025, with parties able to agree to transfer pending civil actions to the business court; requires judges to issue written opinions to develop coherent case law unless precedent is already well-established