2023 Iowa Legislative Session - Week 12 Summary

Friday marked the end of the second legislative funnel week. Bills must have cleared the Chamber of origin and the other Chamber’s Committee by the close of business. Those bills that did not meet this deadline are now considered “dead” through the end of session. The main exceptions to this deadline are bills that deal with taxes, spending, and government oversight.  

While committee and floor debate will continue for the surviving policy bills, lawmakers will now spend most of their time focusing on the state budget. In fact, the Senate has scheduled four appropriations bills for consideration next Monday in the full Senate Appropriations Committee.  This is definitely a sign of forward momentum!  

The next major legislative deadline is the 110th day of session, Friday, April 28. This date is when lawmakers’ daily per diem ends. 

The hands-free driving bill took another large step forward this week when it passed out of the House Transportation Committee. Senate File 547 makes the use of mobile devices while driving a car illegal unless used in a hands-free or voice-activated mode. The bill passed the Senate last week by a 47-3 vote. 

On Tuesday, the House amended and passed a bill that would cap noneconomic damages related to pain and suffering in lawsuits involving drivers of commercial motor vehicles. The bill, Senate File 228, which passed the Senate in February, must be reconsidered by the Senate  with the House Amendment. One of the main differences between the House and Senate version is the cap amount - the Senate capped non-economic damages at $2 million and the House raised that cap to $5 million per family. 

In the Know 

On Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced her appointment of former state auditor Mary Mosiman as the Director to the Department of Revenue. Mosiman served as the state auditor from May 2013 through December 2018. She currently serves as the deputy director of the Department of Revenue and the Tax Management Division administrator. In a statement released by the Governor on Tuesday, Reynolds called Mosimon, “an exceptional public servant”. Governor Reynolds stated, “Mary’s leadership of the department’s tax division and her service as co-sponsor of a multi-year tax modernization effort have prepared her well to serve as director of this critical state department.” 

Moisman will replace current Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen. Paulsen is the former speaker of the Iowa House and was appointed by the Governor to the Department of Revenue position in 2019. In addition to serving as the Department of Revenue Director, Paulsen has also served as the interim director of the Department of Management since 2021. Mosiman’s appointment became effective on March 29. Following the appointment of Mosiman, Paulsen will retain his position as Director of the Department of Management and will manage the implementation of Governor Reynolds’ state government realignment initiative. 

Iowa’s new Attorney General, Brenna Bird appointed Lanny Zieman to run the Office of Consumer Advocate. Zieman is currently an attorney with the Iowa Division of Labor. Under the Governor’s state reorganization plan, the AG’s Office has control over the OCA’s Office. The OCA represents consumers and the public on utility matters. 

BrownWinick Government Relations

To view additional summaries from the 2023 Iowa Legislative Session or to learn more about BrownWinick’s Government Relations Team, visit our Lobbying and Public Policy team page.