Highlights in this edition:

• Budget Work Picks Up Pace as House, Senate Appropriations Bills Unveiled
  • This important step allows Iowans to draw some comparisons between the different approaches of the two chambers
• IEDA Awards CAT Grants and Sports Tourism Grant
  • Fort Dodge, Atlantic, Clear Lake, Mt. Pleasant, Kalona, Clayton County, Carroll, Rock Valley, Mt. Ayr and Newton all received grants
• Programs that Help Workers
  • The adult and dislocated worker programs are designed to assist unemployed and underemployed Iowans to improve their skills and obtain quality employment
• Connecting Public Dollars to Charitable Services
  • Another tool for local governments to utilize public dollars to help those in their communities who need assistance
• Governor Signs Bill on Foreign Ownership of Land into Law
  • The new law increases reporting requirements, increases enforcement of current laws, and authorizes the Attorney General’s office to investigate reports of potential violations of Iowa’s laws concerning foreign ownership
• House Passes Iowa Rural Development Tax Credit Program
  • The bill will save Iowans $1.8 million annually

HF 2646 – Final Disposition of Remaining UST Funds

HF 2644 – Court Reporter Equipment Incentive Fund

HF 2681 – Traffic Cameras

HF 2686 – Government Realignment Clean Up

HF 2574 – Boards and Commissions Strike After Amendment Division Analysis

HF 2531 – Cabaret and Nuisance Violations

HF 2641 – IDALS Code Updates and Choose Iowa Promotional Program Code modifications

SF 2071 – Bingo Prizes

HF 2684 – Out of State Cannabidiol Registration Cards

HF 2463 – Driving Privileges for Drivers Under 18

SF 2370 – Governor’s Rules Bill

Highlights in this edition: 

• House Republicans Release Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2025
  • The budget outlines an increase of $402.8 million over the current year spending level of $8.55 billion
• Department Seeks Public Input on Literacy Standards
  • The Iowa Department of Education is hosting a series of public forums seeking input on proposed updates to the state's literacy standards
• House Advances Maternal Health Legislation
  • Medicaid postpartum coverage eligibility is extended to one year after birth and funding goes directly to entities helping pregnant women with prenatal nutrition, family economic self-sufficiency, housing, childcare, purchasing cribs, car seats, formula, and other things
• Governor Reynolds Signs Iowa's Religious Freedom Restoration Act
  • The debate made clear Democrats do not understand RFRA or what religious liberty actually means
• House Passes Iowa Rural Development Tax Credit Program
  • The program targets business with fewer than 250 employees and are not located in one of the 12 most populous counties in the state

Highlights in this edition: 

• Governor Reynolds signs AEA, Teacher Salary Increase Bill
  • Beginning teacher salaries rise to $50,000
• House Advances Child Care Legislation with $43 Million Impact
  • The Child Care Assistance Program sees an increase in funding
• Texas-Style Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Goes to Governor
  • If a person has previously been caught in the country illegally and they later enter Iowa they are guilty of the crime of reentry into the state
• House Passes Bill to Expand Tax Income Deductions for 529 Contributions
  • Allows tax free transfers from an Iowa College Savings Account to a qualifies Roth Individual Retirement Account
• Changes to Minor Driving Privileges Move Forward
  • A student with this license is now limited to 25 miles, on the most direct route, in how far they could drive

Highlights in this edition:

• A Meeting Unlike Any Other … the March Revenue Estimating Conference
  • The conclusion of the spring REC meeting effectively fires the starter’s pistol on this year’s budget season
• Senate Fails to Move Key Bills
  • Social Studies Standards emphasizing American history died in Senate Education Committee
• House Passes Legislation to Avoid Tax Increase on Iowa’s Livestock Farmers
  • House File 2649 passed the House floor this week with unanimous support
• Childcare Center Property Tax Parity
  • Property that is primarily used as a child care center or facility receive a tax break

Highlights in this edition:

• House Ag Panel Approves Meat Integrity Act
  • The measure provides accurate protein labeling definitions
• House Republicans Pass Second School Security Bill
  • The bill establishes two grant programs including one for Firearm Detection Software
• Legislature Advances Child Care Bills
  • Over 25,000 child care slots have been created since September 2021
• How Have House Republicans Addressed Mental Health?
  • Over one billion dollars is being invested
• Democrats Oppose Bill to Curb Illegal Immigration, Punish Human Traffickers
  • The negative impacts of the Biden’s Administrations failure to enforce current laws and protect the southern border are being felt in Iowa