Community Banking News Blog | Community Bankers of Iowa (CBI)

Iowa Legislature Update: Week Ending Feb. 18, 2021

2/19/2021

by LS2group | View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Tax credit to spur investment in Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
Iowa’s only presidential library and museum in West Branch would see a boost in its fundraising efforts under a bill moving through the Legislature.

Allan Hoover III, great grandson of President Herbert Hoover, was at the Capitol this week to speak with lawmakers about his family’s Iowa roots and urge passage of legislation that would create a special tax credit to benefit the library and museum. It’s been nearly 30 years since the library’s last renovation.

Herbert Hoover was the only U.S. President from Iowa, serving as the nation’s 31st president between 1929 and 1933.

A $20 million renovation has been planned with a completion date in 2024 to coincide with what would be President Hoover’s 150th birthday. The National Archives requires having 90 percent of the project’s cost in hand before construction can begin.

Contributors to his presidential library’s renovation would see a tax credit of up to 25 percent, for a total of up to $5 million. Individuals could claim up to $250,000 in credits.

Iowa Legislature Update: Week Ending Feb. 11, 2021

2/12/2021

by LS2group | View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

More health care providers could provide vaccines
State lawmakers are positioning the state for a ramped up vaccination effort, advancing bills that would allow dentists and other medical providers to administer COVID vaccines. The state has been off to a slow start, ranking as one of the lowest among states for the number of those vaccinated. The House Human Resources Committee approved a slate of bills Thursday meant to accelerate Iowa’s vaccination efforts. HSB71, which would allow dentists to administer COVID and influenza vaccines, was approved by the committee on a 19-1 vote.

The committee also moved forward a bill that would make it easier for health care workers with credentials in another state to practice in Iowa. The state’s medical regulatory boards have been pushing for greater flexibility to address a shortage of health care workers.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has acknowledged the delays in getting vaccines to those who need them. The state is working to launch a vaccine hotline and call center to match Iowans with available vaccines and providers. As of Thursday morning, the state’s website tracking vaccinations showed just under 100,000 Iowans had received both doses of a COVID vaccine.

Iowa Legislature Update – Week Ending Mar. 6, 2020

3/6/2020

by Charlotte Eby - Managing Director of Government Affairs, LS2group

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Overview/Major Events
Senator leads effort to help Chinese cities with Coronavirus response
Iowa Sen. Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, is spearheading an effort to bring needed medical and food supplies to areas in Iowa’s Chinese sister cities hard hit with the coronavirus. Nunn is chairman of the Legislature’s International Relations Committee, which has been briefed on the situation in Iowa’s sister states.

“Friendship is more than a trade partnership; Iowa has a strong tradition of helping our sister-cities and fellow citizens of the world in need,” Nunn said in a statement. “Our friends are asking to help save lives and we are asking Iowans to assist in any way they are able.”

Needed supplies in those areas include medical gowns, masks, gloves, sanitizer, tissues, and monetary donations to cover shipping costs.

The Carpenters Local 106 donated safety glasses to the effort and members were honored on the Senate floor. Local leaders in Cedar Rapids, Muscatine, Davenport, Des Moines and Dubuque are also pitching in to assist.

Those wanting to donate to the effort can visit www.iowasisterstates.org.

Iowa Legislature Update – Week Ending Feb. 28, 2020

2/28/2020

by Charlotte Eby - Managing Director of Government Affairs, LS2group

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Overview/Major Events
Chambers have busy week of floor debate
The Iowa House and Senate passed a flurry of bills this week, working to advance legislation before a second funnel deadline will winnow the number of bills under consideration. Legislative leaders lined up their top priorities for debate this week.

Among the issues advancing included a Senate bill that funds efforts to help teachers and schools address violent student behavior in the classroom. Gun advocates flooded the Capitol on Thursday, anticipating debate on a bill that would limit cities or counties from enacting restrictive gun measures.

To remain alive, bills that have passed in one chamber will have to gain approval in a committee in the opposite chamber before a March 19 funnel deadline. The Legislature’s tentative adjournment date for the year is April 19.

Governor signs school funding equity bill to cover busing costs
Gov. Kim Reynolds this week signed a bill that will provide funding to rural schools for their transportation and busing needs. SF2164 will funnel $7.2 million to schools that spend more on annual transportation costs than the statewide average of $347 per pupil. A total of 204 Iowa schools will receive additional dollars.

“This legislation will help Iowa’s many rural school districts absorb transportation costs and put more money into the classroom,” Reynolds said. “Education is always a top priority, and we will continue to look for ways to provide every school, educator, and student with the tools for success.”

Iowa Legislature Update – Week Ending Jan. 31, 2020

1/31/2020

by Charlotte Eby - Managing Director of Government Affairs, LS2group

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Overview/Major Events
Trade deal praised as good for Iowa farmers and manufacturers
The North American trade deal inked this week known as USMCA earned praise from Gov. Kim Reynolds, who said it would expand markets for Iowa producers with Iowa’s top trading partners – Mexico and Canada.

“President Trump successfully negotiated a strong, balanced and reciprocal trade agreement that will benefit Iowa and the entire nation,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Years from now, USMCA will prove to be a major boost to Iowa’s economy, especially for families, farmers, manufacturers and small businesses.”

Gov. Reynolds makes appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court
Gov. Kim Reynolds this week appointed Swisher attorney Dana Oxley to serve as a new justice on the Iowa Supreme Court to fill a vacancy created by the death of Chief Justice Mark Cady last year. Oxley practices with a prominent Cedar Rapids law firm and serves as an adjunct law professor at the University of Iowa College of Law.

“Dana Oxley is an exceptional lawyer with a uniquely Iowa story,” Reynolds said in a statement announcing the appointment. “She will be a valuable new addition to the Iowa Supreme Court. I look forward to watching her serve Iowans in this important role for years to come.”

Iowa Legislature Update – Week Ending Jan. 24, 2020

1/24/2020

by Charlotte Eby - Managing Director of Government Affairs, LS2group

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Overview/Major Events
Lawmakers gaveled in for a short week, with the Capitol and state government closed to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. Subcommittee meetings on bills, which allow stakeholders and the public to comment on legislation, began in earnest.

Among the issues considered and advancing at the committee or subcommittee level this week:

Ban on public vaping
Cost-share limits for patients using insulin with prescription drug coverage
Allowing emergency medical technicians to obtain professional gun permits
A ban on health policies excluding pre-existing conditions if the Affordable Care Act is struck down

Banking Issues
Two bills being closely followed by the banking industry regarding the grain coop lien issue have been introduced. HSB 500 is the Coop's preferred bill to put their claims ahead of banks' for stored grain. CBI is opposing this legislation. A second bill, HF 2047, is a compromise attempt to provide give grain coops a limited time for their claims to be superior to banks' claims in exchange for the development and required use of a central filing system, which has worked well in other states. CBI is still reviewing this legislation and has not yet taken a position.

Government Affairs Weekly Report - Week 7: Feb. 19-22, 2018

2/24/2018

by CBI Lobbyist Jeff Boeyink - Partner, LS2 Group

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker

Overview / Major Events
The first week post-funnel #1 has been dominated by floor work in the House and Senate as policy committees take a break and bills are debated and sent to their opposite Chambers. Most current work involves legislation that is not controversial or has a high level of consensus amongst the members. That said, next week expect debate on more controversial subjects such as the energy omnibus bill (SF 2311) and workers’ comp fraud (SF 2305), which do not have House companion legislation and will need to clear a House committee prior to March 16 to remain eligible.

The biggest news of the week arrived with the release of the Senate Republicans’ tax reform package—the most significant overhaul of the tax code proposed in more than three decades.

Senate Republicans Propose Sweeping Tax Reform and Relief
On Wednesday, Senate Republicans introduced SSB 3197, a sweeping and comprehensive reform of Iowa’s state income tax code (both personal and corporate). The bill was quickly fast-tracked through subcommittee and full Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday and will be eligible for full Senate consideration next week.

Government Affairs Weekly Report - Week 4: Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2018

2/2/2018

by CBI Lobbyist Jeff Boeyink - Partner, LS2 Group

Overview / Major Events
The conclusion of this week marks the start of a two-week marathon of subcommittee and committee work as the first major legislative deadline arrives on February 15. Legislative rules require that most policy legislation must clear subcommittee and full committee by this date in order to remain eligible for further consideration.

That said, the arrival of the first funnel does not necessary spell doom for those issues that fail to clear this hurdle. Issues can often be reconstituted in a form eligible for consideration by the Ways and Means or Appropriations committees (as these are exempt from funnel deadlines), added as amendments to related bills that DID clear the funnel, or packaged in the ever-popular Standings Bill at the end of the session that often becomes a catch-all for a variety of left over bills.

The next funnel deadline is March 15, by which time bills must have passed in one Chamber and cleared committee in the other.

Government Affairs Weekly Report - Week 5: Feb. 6-9, 2017

2/10/2017

by CBI Lobbyist Jeff Boeyink - Partner, LS2 Group

The House and Senate ramped up a well-coordinated effort to begin moving major pieces of “must do” legislation this week. After a somewhat bumpy start to the session in regards to reaching agreement on budget-balancing legislation to cut over $100 million from the current budget, House and Senate leaders (along with the Governor’s office) have come together in a tightly choreographed schedule designed to streamline approval of some BIG issues.

K-12 School Funding Completed in Session’s First 30 days
This week the General Assembly and Governor wrapped up the school funding debate with House passage of SF 166 on Monday and with the Governor’s signature of the legislation Wednesday.

SF 166 increases state spending on K-12 schools in FY18 by $40 million (by far the largest spending increase for any budget line item in the upcoming budget year).

State Preemption of Local Ordinances
The House Local Government Committee began work on HSB 92, an act that preempts local government’s ability to enact ordinances regarding minimum wage, consumer merchandise, or packaging materials. The legislation was spurred by a number of local governments enacting minimum wage increases in excess of the state minimum wage.

Government Affairs Weekly Report - Week 11: Mar. 21-24, 2016

3/25/2016

by CBI Lobbyist
Jeff Boeyink
Partner,
LS2 Group

Overview / Major Events
The House and Senate this week took the final step in implementing the agreement that resolves a number of key tax concerns regarding coupling with federal tax changes (signed by the Governor this week) along with setting the amount of new money for our K-12 schools in FY17 (beginning July 1, 2016).

WHAT GOT DONE?

Governor Branstad officially signed HF 2433 this week, legislation to couple the Iowa tax code with federal changes on Section 179 expensing for the 2015 tax year, only. The bill also rolls back Department of Revenue rules on taxation of consumable supplies in the manufacturing process and replaces them with a less comprehensive set of rules.
A House and Senate conference committee on school aid agreed to a basic increase in supplemental state aid to our K-12 schools at a rate of 2.25%. SF 174 passed the Senate on a 44-6 vote and the House on a 55-41 vote. The bill now goes to Governor Branstad and he is expected to sign it into law. This now allows local school districts to make decisions on local school budgets.

WHAT IS NEXT?
With the “must-do” tax policy and education spending issues resolved for this session, the General Assembly will now turn to work on the remainder of the state budget (including the first necessary step of setting joint House and Senate budget targets for each budget area). See below for a primer on the budget process moving forward.

View the Iowa Legislative Bill Tracker.