The Iowa Legislature is taking a break until at least April 15 following passage early this morning of a supplemental budget bill, Senate File 2408. Among other provisions, the bill appropriates $20 million in emergency funds to the governor and would keep the state government going through August if necessary. The bill also includes the [...]
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LEGISLATIVE SESSION SUSPENDED FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS The Iowa legislative session will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days. The decision was made by state leaders in consultation with the Department of Public Health and Governor’s Office based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control related to mass gatherings to protect vulnerable [...]
LAST WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL Several bills of interest were moving through the chambers last week, including two bills supported by the Iowa Catholic Conference: House File 2259 passed the House. It would allow a lodging provider to certify that all employees have completed training to help identify and prevent human trafficking. A government [...]
STATEHOUSE HAPPENINGS The General Assembly spent most of last week debating bills on the floor of the chambers after spending several weeks doing committee work. Several events of note also took place at the Capitol, including Refugee Day and Anti-Hunger Day. You can check out some photos on our Facebook page. Hundreds of people also [...]
Last Friday at the State Capitol was the first legislative “funnel” deadline. If a bill has not been passed by a committee, it is considered dead for the session. This rule does not apply to budget or tax related bills. The ICC encourages the Senate to pass the constitutional amendment, HJR 14, which would enable [...]
There is a blizzard of subcommittee and committee meetings taking place at the State Capitol as legislators rush to push through their bills. This Friday, Feb. 21, is the first legislative deadline where non-budget or tax-related bills must be passed out of committee to avoid being set aside. One positive we’ve noticed this session is [...]
The next couple of weeks will feature a flurry of activity at the State Capitol as the first legislative “funnel” deadline hits on Feb. 21. Bills must pass out of their first committee by that date in order to be considered for the rest of the year. The deadline does not apply to budget or [...]
PROTECTING THE SAFETY NET FOR LOWER-INCOME PEOPLE Subcommittees in the Iowa House and Senate considered bills last week to increase the frequency and intensity of income verification for people who receive government benefits such as Medicaid, welfare, and SNAP (food stamps). The House bill did not pass, but Senate Study Bill 3068 moved to the [...]
‘PROTECT LIFE’ AMENDMENT PASSES COMMITTEE Senate Joint Resolution 21, the “Protect Life” amendment to clarify that a right to abortion is not guaranteed by the State of Iowa Constitution, passed the Senate State Government on Jan. 23 on a party line vote of 10-5. The bill is now eligible for debate on the Senate floor. [...]