profile headshot of Julie A. Smith

Specialties

I am of counsel with the BrownWinick Law firm.  I work with the Government Relations team to represent clients at the Iowa Legislature and executive branch agencies.  My entire career has revolved around the beauty of the written word Ð bills and amendments and the legislative process and application to solving problems for people and businesses.   After more than three decades entering the state Capitol, I am still amazed at the beauty of the building and the importance of the proceedings within it.

My Approach

As a Government Practice lawyer,  I believe in a collaborative approach - working with others who have similar policy concerns and with the great government practice group at BrownWinick.

More About Me

I received my B.A. in History at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.  Specializing in American History, taking as many classes as possible from one of Coe's professors who had written several books on President Herbert Hoover.  Received my J.D. with distinction in 1988 from the University of Iowa Law School.   My first job out of law school was with West Publishing Company annotating statutes.  In 1989 I took a job with the Iowa Legislature drafting bills and amendments and the rest is history.  In addition to government practice, I am the Director of the Drake University Law School's Legislative Practice Center.  I teach legislative classes and work with law student interns. 

Government Relations Update - October 17, 2024 REC Summary

10-18-2024 The Revenue Estimating Conference (“REC”) met Thursday (10.17.24) as part of their standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. REC members Kraig Paulsen (Gov.’s Appointee), Jennifer Acton (LSA), and Jeff Plagge (Public Member) serve on the three-member panel. A summary of the information discussed during the meeting is below,...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Fourteen

04-15-2024 On Thursday, the first appropriations bill of the year passed one chamber. Kind of like seeing a robin in winter…you know that sine die (spring) is getting closer. This week also saw a lot of action in subcommittees and Appropriations Committees. Although the Senate and House have agreed within their Chambers on targeted amounts for the various...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Thirteen

04-8-2024 The Senate was busy this week confirming Governor’s Appointees. Confirmations require a two-thirds vote of all Senators. This means that 34 of the 50 must vote to confirm. With 34 Republicans in the Chamber, confirmations were less contentious than they have been in the past. Senators vote to confirm either En Bloc or on an Individual basis. Some...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Twelve

04-1-2024 State Budget. The final stages of the 2024 session took a big step forward on Thursday when House and Senate Leaders released budget targets. The Senate’s target is to limit expenditures to $8.872 billion for Fiscal Year 2025, the House has a higher budget number at $8.955 billion, and the Governor’s budget is at $8.919 billion. The next three...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Eleven

03-25-2024 Week #11 ended with movement on one of the main issues of session, the Area Education Agencies (AEA) bill. One of the major priorities of the Governor, the AEA bill in different forms has passed the Senate once and now the House twice. On Monday, the Senate amended HF 2612, and sent it back to the House with a strike-after amendment. On Thursday,...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 10

03-19-2024 The past week was the second funnel week. Thursday was the last day of action at the Statehouse. The Senate did not debate and instead focused on Committee work. The House debated Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, the House placed 31 bills on the Unfinished Business Calendar which means they will continue to be eligible for further...
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March 15, 2024 REC Summary

03-18-2024 The Revenue Estimating Conference (“REC”) met Friday (3.15.24) as part of their standard schedule of meetings to estimate future state revenues. REC members Kraig Paulsen and Jennifer Acton welcomed Jeff Plagge to the panel as the new public representative. A summary of the information discussed during the meeting is below, along with the linked...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 9

03-11-2024 Capitol Update The second funnel deadline is next Friday. We expect to see mostly Committee work next week as bills that have not made it through the Committee in the other Chamber will be considered dead for the session, with exceptions. Even though a bill itself may be considered dead, ideas are not dead and can come back in the form of...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Eight

03-4-2024 Capitol Update This week, many bills were debated in either the House or Senate and then passed onto their last stop in the legislative process. Each chamber must vote on the exact same language in order to finally pass the bill and have it become law. The Senate will often substitute a House File and vice versa during floor debate so the language...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Six

02-19-2024 Funnel week. Funnel week has come and gone and it was quite a week with 227 bills moving through Committees and 99 scheduled subcommittees. The purpose of the funnel is to “weed out” those bills that will not be given further consideration this session. The next major procedural deadline - the second funnel - is March 15. For a bill to be...
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Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Five

02-12-2024 The pace continued during week 5 with 164 bills scheduled for consideration in Committees and 165 scheduled for subcommittee discussions. Next week is funnel week - which means bills must be considered in a subcommittee and pass the Committee by next Friday. Of course, there are exceptions to that rule. Although based on the large numbers of bills...
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Assistant

Tia Calhoun

515-242-2492

Undergraduate

Coe College

B.A., History, 1984

Legal

University of Iowa

J.D., with distinction, 1988

Admitted

Iowa, 1988

Memberships & Associations

  • Johnston Planning and Zoning Commission
    Member
  • Pioneer Lawmakers Association
    Honorary Member