The Iowa Department of Revenue continues efforts to enhance the overall efficiency of our technology solutions. As part of this effort, eLAPS will be retired on October 22, 2025. Beginning November 3, 2025, GovConnectIowa will serve as the portal for alcohol licensing applications and renewals, account management, reporting, and more.
Learn more about what is changing, what is not changing and actions you may need to take per audience:
List items for eLAPS Retiring
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm CST on October 22, 2025. All licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) will take place in GovConnectIowa beginning at 12:00 pm CST on November 3, 2025.
- Accessing Accounts. If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- Ownership Updates. Users with Full Access will be able to update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes will apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users will be able to update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa. Additionally, the authorized user can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Many communications with the Department will be saved and managed in GovConnectIowa, not just in email. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into the portal.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, ACH Payments will no longer be accepted via phone. ACH Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
- Gallonage Tax Filing Frequency Requests. Eligible licensees will be able to request to change their filing frequency from monthly to quarterly through GovConnectIowa (BAN, BA, WAN, WA, BP only). Only licensees who reasonably expect not to be liable for more than $2,500 in gallonage tax between July 1 and June 30, and must not have owed more than $2,500 in gallonage tax in the preceding July 1-June 30 timeframe may be eligible. Quarterly filing will begin with the January-March 2026 reporting period.
- Estimated Barrel and/or Wine Gallonage Tax Return. Currently, when a licensee fails to file a barrel tax return and/or wine gallonage tax return by the due date, the Department sends an email reminder to file the barrel tax return / wine gallonage tax return or be sent an estimated bill. Beginning November 3, 2025, when a licensee fails to file a barrel tax return and/or wine gallonage tax return by the due date, the licensee will be considered late immediately and the return period will enter our non-filer program.
- TTB Operational Reports. Native breweries, brewpubs, and native wineries will now submit TTB operational reports in GovConnectIowa. These will continue to be due on or before the 15th of the month.
- Brewpub Permitting Change. Beginning November 3, 2025, all Brewpubs will have a retail license (LC or BW) and a Special Class "A" beer permit (BP).
What Is Not Changing
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license will remain basically unchanged. However, the Department is adding many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers will continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they do today, in addition to relevant gallonage tax accounts.
- Beer Barrel/Wine Gallonage Tax Reporting. Tax Reports will all contain the same information in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS. The format may vary slightly, but all of the information will continue to be present. Licensees will receive a notification from GovConnectIowa on the 1st of each month reminding them to file their monthly report by the 10th of that month.
- License Refunds. The license refund process will not change.
What Action You Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. License applications in "In Progress" status in eLAPS will not be transferred to GovConnectIowa. Please finalize everything by completing and submitting your application(s) prior to October 22, 2025. Any application that has the status "In-Progress" and is not submitted by 5:00pm CST on October 22, 2025 will need to be submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. There will be no new licenses approved while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that have not been approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa, as the new system will update all license numbers under the customer/legal entity.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- October 2025 Gallonage Tax Reports will be due on December 1, 2025, in GovConnectIowa, rather than their normal due date of November 10, 2025, due to system downtime. November 2025 Gallonage Tax Reports are due as scheduled on December 10, 2025.
- For Distributors Only. The public database will be offline from 5:00 pm, October 22, 2025 until 12:00 pm, November 3, 2025. Should you need assistance in determining a licensee's status during this time, please contact the Department.
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm CST on October 22, 2025. All licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) will take place in GovConnectIowa beginning at 12:00 pm CST on November 3, 2025.
- Accessing Accounts. If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- TTB Operational Reports. Holders of a manufacturer’s license (CM) or a class “A” native distilled spirits license (ND) will now submit TTB operational reports in GovConnectIowa. These will continue to be due on or before the 15th of the month.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” will be able to update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes will apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users will be able to update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa. Additionally, the authorized user can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Many communications with the Department will be saved and managed in GovConnectIowa, not just in email. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into the portal.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, ACH Payments will no longer be accepted via phone. ACH Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Is Not Changing
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license will remain basically unchanged. However, the Department is adding many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers will continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they do today.
- License Refunds. The license refund process will remain the same.
What Action You Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. License applications in "In Progress" status in eLAPS will not be transferred to GovConnectIowa. Please finalize everything by completing and submitting your application(s) prior to October 22, 2025. Any application that has the status "In-Progress" and is not submitted by 5:00pm CST on October 22, 2025 will need to be submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. There will be no new licenses approved while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that have not been approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa, as the new system will update all license numbers under the customer/legal entity.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm CST on October 22, 2025. All licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) will take place in GovConnectIowa beginning at 12:00 pm CST on November 3, 2025.
- No Monthly Reporting. Beginning November 3, 2025, CB, CV, and CD license types will no longer be required to submit monthly reports.
- Accessing Accounts. If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” will be able to update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes will apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users will be able to update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa. Additionally, the authorized user can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Many communications with the Department will be saved and managed in GovConnectIowa, not just in email. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into the portal.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, ACH Payments will no longer be accepted via phone. ACH Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Is Not Changing
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license will remain basically unchanged. However, the Department is adding many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers will continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they do today.
- License Refund. The license refund process will remain the same.
What Action You Need to Take
- No Monthly Reporting. Beginning November 3, 2025, CB, CV, and CD license types will no longer be required to submit monthly reports.
- Draft Licenses. License applications in "In Progress" status in eLAPS will not be transferred to GovConnectIowa. Please finalize everything by completing and submitting your application(s) prior to October 22, 2025. Any application that has the status "In-Progress" and is not submitted by 5:00pm CST on October 22, 2025 will need to be submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. There will be no new licenses approved while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that have not been approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa, as the new system will update all license numbers under the customer/legal entity.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should add it to GovConnectIowa. Any licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. Licensees whose license expires between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026 must add a saved payment method no later than November 21, 2025.
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm CST on October 22, 2025. All licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) will take place in GovConnectIowa beginning at 12:00 pm CST on November 3, 2025. Local authorities, dramshop personnel, and law enforcement will use portals connected to GovConnectIowa that are built for them to work with you and the Department.
- Accessing Accounts. If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” will be able to update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes will apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users will be able to update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa. Additionally, the authorized user can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Many communications with the Department will be saved and managed in GovConnectIowa, not just in email. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into the portal.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, ACH Payments will no longer be accepted via phone. ACH Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal (LE only).
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
- License Refund Changes. Currently, when a licensee requests a refund, the Department refunds its portion of the fee and notifies the local licensing authority to refund its portion of the fee. Beginning November 3, 2025, when a licensee requests a refund for a license, the Department will refund the full amount owed to the licensee.
What Is Not Changing
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license will remain basically unchanged. However, the Department is adding many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers will continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they do today.
What Action You Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. License applications in "In Progress" status in eLAPS will not be transferred to GovConnectIowa. Please finalize everything by completing and submitting your application(s) prior to October 22, 2025. Any application that has the status "In-Progress" and is not submitted by 5:00pm CST on October 22, 2025 will need to be submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. There will be no new licenses approved while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that have not been approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa, as the new system will update all license numbers under the customer/legal entity.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method (LE only). No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should add it to GovConnectIowa. Any licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. Licensees whose license expires between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026 must add a saved payment method no later than November 21, 2025.
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm CST on October 22, 2025. All licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) will take place in GovConnectIowa beginning at 12:00 pm CST on November 3, 2025.
- Accessing Accounts. If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” will be able to update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes will apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users will be able to update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa. Additionally, the authorized user can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Many communications with the Department will be saved and managed in GovConnectIowa, not just in email. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into the portal.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, ACH Payments will no longer be accepted via phone. ACH Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. (Note: Licenses expiring on or before December 10, 2025 will auto-renew in eLAPS.)
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Is Not Changing
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license will remain basically unchanged. However, the Department is adding many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers will continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they do today, in addition to relevant excise tax accounts.
- Gallonage Tax Reporting. Tax Reports and due dates will all contain the same information in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS. The format may vary slightly, but all of the information will continue to be present.
- License Refunds. The license refund process will not change.
What Action You Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. License applications in "In Progress" status in eLAPS will not be transferred to GovConnectIowa. Please finalize everything by completing and submitting your application(s) prior to October 22, 2025. Any application that has the status "In-Progress" and is not submitted by 5:00pm CST on October 22, 2025 will need to be submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. There will be no new licenses approved while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that have not been approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa, as the new system will update all license numbers under the customer/legal entity.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you do not have an existing GovConnectIowa login:
- If you are an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you will receive an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Additionally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be sent to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods will be transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should add it to GovConnectIowa. Any licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. Licensees whose license expires between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026 must add a saved payment method no later than November 21, 2025.
Beginning November 3, 2025, the License Administration Portal will be the single solution for reviewing and endorsing alcohol licenses, amendments, and renewals.
What is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moving to the License Administration Portal. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm on October 22, 2025. All Dramshop agents will use the License Administration Portal to endorse new, renewed, and amended licenses beginning at 12:00 pm on November 3, 2025.
- Gaining Access and Using the Portal. Current users will receive an email requesting to create a logon and complete a profile in the License Administration Portal. Once you have created a logon and profile, you should be able to log on and see any Action Items you have to endorse.
What Is Not Changing
- Insurance Process. The process of endorsing and insuring an on-premise license remains unchanged.
- Adding and Deleting Users. You should continue to follow the same process of contacting the Alcohol Licensing Team at the Department of Revenue to set up new users or remove user access.
What Action You Need to Take
- Endorse Licenses Prior to System Outage. There will be no submissions or reviews while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025. This means licensees may be requesting endorsement more quickly than usual. Please endorse in an especially timely manner prior to October 22, 2025.
- Gain Access to the Portal. You should follow the instructions in the email you receive on or around November 3, 2025, requesting you create a logon and complete a profile in the License Administration Portal. You must use the same email address currently used in eLAPS. You should then be able to log on and see Action Items should you have items to endorse.
Beginning November 3, 2025, the License Administration Portal will be the single solution for reviewing and approving alcohol licenses, amendments, and renewals.
What is Changing
- Tobacco Licensing Portal Renamed. Beginning November 3, 2025, the "Tobacco Licensing Portal" will be renamed to the "License Administration Portal" to reflect the addition of alcohol license administration capabilities.
- eLAPS Functions Moving to License Administration Portal. eLAPS will be retired at 5:00 pm on October 22, 2025. Local authorities will use the License Administration Portal for all alcohol licensing activities (approving applications, renewals, amendments, etc.) beginning at 12:00 pm on November 3, 2025.
- Changes for Alcohol Licensees. Beginning November 3, 2025, alcohol licensees will use GovConnectIowa to submit new and renewal license applications, amendments, and tax reports.
- Alcohol License Refund Changes. Currently, when an alcohol licensee requests a refund, the Department refunds its portion of the fee and notifies the local licensing authority to refund its portion of the fee. Beginning November 3, 2025, when an alcohol licensee requests a refund for a license, the Department will refund the full amount owed to the licensee. The Department will then deduct the local licensing authority's portion of the refund from the next month's disbursement of alcohol licensing fees. Local Authorities will no longer be expected to refund their portion of an alcohol license fee to the licensee. Local Authorities will have a disbursement report available in the License Administration Portal. The Department will send a communication when there is a disbursement containing a link to the License Administration Portal where Local Authorities can view the transactions that support the disbursement total, including any refunds that were issued.
What Is Not Changing
- Alcohol Licensing Process. The processes, deadlines, and requirements for renewing and approving an alcohol license remain basically unchanged.
- Tobacco Licensing Process. The system, processes, deadlines, and requirements for renewing and approving a tobacco-related license will remain unchanged.
What Action You Need to Take
- Approving Alcohol Licenses Prior to System Outage. There will be no submissions or reviews while systems are down between October 22, 2025 and November 3, 2025. This means alcohol licensees may be requesting approvals more quickly than usual. Please do so in an especially timely manner prior to October 22, 2025.
- Alcohol License Fee Disbursement Timing. Final disbursements from eLAPS will be on October 22, 2025. The next disbursement will come through GovConnectIowa and will be between December 1-4, 2025.
- System Access. No action needed. Access to the License Administration Portal will be automatically granted on November 3, 2025. You will have new action items for alcohol-related activities.
- Auto-renewal Licenses between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026. Alcohol licenses that expire between December 11, 2025 and January 13, 2026, and that are signed up for auto-renewal were scheduled for renewal during system downtime. If you wish to unenroll impacted licensees from auto-renewal, you must do so in eLAPS no later than October 22, 2025. You can unenroll other licenses in the License Administration Portal on or after November 3, 2025.
Beginning November 3, 2025, the Law Enforcement Portal is adding functionality for alcohol complaints and compliance.
What is Changing
- Make Alcohol Compliance and Complaints on Law Enforcement Portal. Beginning November 3, 2025, users may submit alcohol compliance checks and alcohol complaints on the Law Enforcement Portal. This means that not only are tobacco program checks available, but alcohol complaints and checks are as well.
- Accessing Accounts. Features to support compliance checks and complaints will be available to all current users. A list of licensed premises available for compliance checks for law enforcement agencies will be listed within the portal. Those licensed premises eligible for payment will be marked along with those premises that are of high priority.
- Video Upload Improvements. Today, when users submit a complaint and want to attach a video file larger than 110MB, they must have or create an account with and log on to GoAnywhere, a third-party service that stores the video files. Beginning November 3, 2025, users will be able to upload large video files using a GoAnywhere link sent directly to the law enforcement officer’s email making the request.
- Alcohol Enforcement Payment Process Improvements. Transitioning alcohol enforcement payments to the Law Enforcement Portal enables the payment process to move more quickly and with fewer manual interventions, reducing likelihood of errors.
- 28E Agreements. All 28E agreements for the Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program will be processed and digitally signed through the law enforcement portal allowing a faster turnaround time and execution date.
What Is Not Changing
- Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program. The Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program remains unchanged. If your agency is unaware of the Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program and would like to learn more, please contact the Department's Coordinator Brandon Trapp (brandon.trapp@iowa.gov) for more information.
What Action You Need to Take
- No action needed. Access to the features in the Law Enforcement Portal will be automatically granted on November 3, 2025. You will have new action items and options for any alcohol-related activities.
More Information
Beginning November 3, 2025, updated web pages, YouTube tutorials, and our GovConnectIowa chatbot, The Kernel, will be available to guide you through the new features. Be sure and register for the Introduction to GovConnectIowa: Alcohol Licensing Updates webinar on November 5. In the meantime, for questions please email us. Our team is here to answer queries you may have about this transition.
We recognize that adapting to a new system can be challenging, and we are committed to providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for your attention to these updates and for your cooperation during the transition.