02-17-2025 |
Capitol Update
New This Week. Newly elected Democratic Senator Mike Zimmer took the Oath of Office this past Monday. Zimmer was elected to fill the Senate seat previously held by Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer. In addition, Governor Reynolds set March 11th as the Special Election date to fill House District 100, a seat vacated by the sudden death of Representative Martin Graber (R).
Governor Reynolds held a Press Conference on Monday to announce her newly-created Department of Government Efficiency Task Force (DOGE). The new Task Force, formally established via Executive Order 12, will have three main goals: maximize return on taxpayer dollars, refine workforce and job training programs, and leverage technology such as artificial intelligence. Emily Schmitt, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Sukup Manufacturing, will Chair the new Task Force. Although the members of the Task Force have not yet been announced, the Governor indicated she would be looking for 15 business and at least two local government members. The first meeting will be held within 60 days and a report will be completed in 180 days. Building on the DOGE theme, the Governor appeared on Capitol Hill last week to testify at the U.S. House Oversight Hearing on Government Efficiency and to tout the Government reorganization and efficiencies she has already prioritized and accomplished in the state.
Hands Free Legislation Passes Both House and Senate Committees. It was a big week for advocates of Hands Free Legislation. SF 22 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The next step is for the bill to be debated on the Senate Floor. Senator Mark Lofgren (R) is the Floor Manager, so he will handle debate on the floor and is also the main sponsor of the bill. On the other side of the rotunda, the House version of the bill, HSB 64 passed unanimously out of the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Representative Ann Meyer (R) will floor manage the bill for the next step, which could be debate on the House Floor.
Appropriations Subcommittees continued to meet this week. The House Administration and Regulations Subcommittee heard testimony from various state officials. State Treasurer Roby Smith (R) described the functions of the Treasurer’s Office, told a couple of Dad jokes, and discussed the FY 26 Budget. Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board (IECDB) Director and General Counsel, Zach Goodrich talked about the IECDB and shared the Agencies’ FY 26 Budget Brief. Finally, Erica Eckley, Director of Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB) presented on the important work of IPIB and asked legislators to support several pieces of legislation IPIB is seeking this session. Click here for Director Eckley’s, IPIB Presentation. The House Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee heard from Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) discussing the programs and important work of her office and her budget, click here for the AG presentation. The Committee finished up with State Public Defender Jeff Wright. Wright discussed the need for attorneys in rural areas and answered numerous questions about the State Public Defender’s Office and Budget. Click here for State Public Defender's presentation.
Pipeline Bills Start to Move in House Subcommittee. Three bills, which take different approaches to addressing issues raised over the years by the proposed carbon dioxide pipelines were moved out of House subcommittees on Thursday. Representative Charley Thomson (R), the lead sponsor on all the bills was also the Subcommittee Chair for each Subcommittee. HF 238 limits operation of a CO2 pipeline to 25 years and prohibits the Iowa Utilities Commission from renewing a permit. HF 239 would move the Office of Consumer Advocate from its current location within the Department of Justice (AG) to being operated as an independent agency. HF 242 allows an applicant for eminent domain, or a person whose property is subject to eminent domain, to petition for declaratory review in Polk County District Court. The bill allows limited review in other district courts and eliminates bonding requirements for appeal or injunction. These bills are sponsored by a group of House Republicans. Similar bills were filed in the Senate by a group of Republican Senators.
In The Know
The Administrative Rules Review Committee is a 10 member Joint Committee with members from both the Senate and the House. The permanent Statutory Committee derives its authority from Iowa Code 17A.8. The purpose of the Committee is to review executive branch rules. Meetings are held monthly and provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the rule that is being reviewed. The committee can object to a proposed rule, delay the effective date of rules for 70 days, delay the effective date of rules until the adjournment of the next legislative session, and request an economic impact statement on any proposed rules. Government Relations professionals commonly “lobby” the ARRC on behalf of their clients.
Scene on the Hill
February 10: Representatives from Planet Care Biofilters discussed the potential impact of proposed Chapter 69 rules regarding private sewage before the Administrative Rules Review Committee.
