There are two versions of a bill about equal treatment for religious and secular organizations. The Senate version contains language some say could invite discrimination and evasion of Iowa laws, but the House version does not. A Senate bill advances that would require the State Board of Education to create course standards for elective social studies classes about the Bible. And a House bill would prohibit transgender girl athletes from being on girls’ school sports teams.

Under the Golden Dome

Curriculum and state standards

There are still in excess of 100 bills a week being considered by subcommittees and some have also passed a full committee. That makes them eligible for a chamber to consider passage. The first bill to do so expands biofuels in Iowa. Unlike similar legislation that didn’t advance last year, this builds in exemptions for some fuel stations that don’t have the infrastructure for biofuels. It passes in the House with bipartisan support. Many education proposals have passed through a committee this week including the Senate’s version of funding for public schools and a proposal that would require curriculum and books in schools to be listed online.

Moving to the chambers

Every year bills that didn’t pass in previous legislative sessions get another shot through the subcommittee process. In 2022 bills that would restrict or further regulate traffic enforcement cameras advance through Senate subcommittees. Governor Reynolds has written a bill that would increase biofuels options at gas stations, that is less aggressive than her renewable fuels bill from last year. A proposal allowing Iowa schools to go year-round stalls. And a new bill advances that would change a parent or guardian’s vaccination consent for minors from verbal to written.

Returning bills

It’s the first of several full weeks of subcommittees. Not all bills advance from their first subcommittee hearing. Last year a large bill passed in the Senate about eligibility requirements for many public assistance programs. It did not advance in the House. Now part of the Senate bill dealing only with SNAP benefits comes to a House subcommittee. Also in subcommittees is proposed amendment to the state constitution that would expand and reinforce victims rights. There's a proposal to limit changes to required school vaccinations and a bill that would make Iowa exempt from potential future federal decisions that restrict firearms.

Subcommittees lay session groundwork

The first week of the second half of the 89th Iowa General Assembly is mostly filled with legislators announcing their priorities for this planned 100-day session. With a billion dollar surplus from the last fiscal year, Republicans have suggested various tax reductions. But the first proposal comes during Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State address, with a flat income tax and the elimination of taxes on most pensions and retirement accounts. Another one of her proposals is to reduce the number of weeks a person can receive unemployment benefits. Reynolds also speaks of her concerns about some books in public schools containing sexual content and wants public schools to place their curriculum and inventory of library books online.

Opening priorities: taxes, workforce and school libraries

Last day of the 2021 legislative session featured a surprise amendment to a bill prohibiting schools and cities from implementing mask mandates stricter than state policies and code.

Taxes, Masks, & Sine Die

As the 2021 session comes to a close, changing Iowa’s bottle redemption system received a public hearing. Another large department budget passed out of an appropriations committee, and includes a controversial income verification qualification for public assistance programs. And a large bill about law enforcement passed out of the House.

Bottle Redemption, More Budgets And A Large Law Enforcement Bill

A week after House committees presented appropriations budgets, the Senate followed. There are a few differences between the two chambers and they must be resolved for the budget bills to pass. Two of the governor’s appointees are in danger of not being confirmed by the Senate. Confirmation requires two-thirds majority and if Democrats unite in opposition, an appointee will be removed from their position.

Counter Proposal

This week, the Iowa House of Representatives passed a bill allowing third-party services to deliver beer, wine, or liquor to a customer’s home. Grants to increase faster internet service received unanimous support in the Senate and House, and the House appropriations committee advanced budgets to be debated in the chamber.

Booze, Broadband And Budgets

Autonomous personal delivery devices may start operating in residential areas of Iowa communities. The House has passed a bill allowing for these robot deliveries and now a Senate committee has modified the bill. The House has also passed a bill adding penalties for those who trespass and take animal, plant, or land samples from an agricultural-producing property. It also includes penalties for taking a photograph while trespassing.

Robot Delivery And Trespassing Penalties

The process of creating policy and law in the Iowa Legislature can be complicated. We break it down and make it easier to understand. Under the Golden Dome provides context, depth, and a better understanding of the Iowa legislative session. Learn about elected officials, influencers, and issues on this weekly podcast.