03-24-2025 |
2025 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Ten
By: Matthew H. McKinney, R.G. Schwarm & Julie A. Smith

Capitol Update
Both the House and Senate debated bills this week with the Senate passing 29 bills and the House passing 54 bills. During week 10, Joint Rule 20 found in House Concurrent Resolution 5, states that the Senate can only consider Senate bills, Senate joint resolutions, and unfinished business and the House can consider only House bills, House joint resolutions, and unfinished business. This means the daily debate calendar this week could only include bills that originated in their respective chambers. This is in preparation for the second major funnel that occurs in week 12. All House bills must pass the House Chamber and a Senate committee; and Senate bills must pass the Senate Chamber and a House committee. This same House and Senate debate rule does not apply next week - when the House and Senate debates are not limited in what they can take up for consideration. We will likely see more subcommittee and committee meetings next week.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the hands-free driving bill, SF 22 by a vote of 47 to 1. If it passes the House, and is signed by the Governor, the bill will become law and effective July 1, 2025. The bill, which has been discussed for several years, would prohibit the use of an electronic device while driving - other than use of a device in a “voice-activated or hands-free mode.”
- The bill defines “voice-activated or hands-free mode” as: “an attachment, accessory, application, wireless connection, or built-in feature of an electronic device or motor vehicle that allows a person to use verbal commands or a single touch to activate or deactivate the device or a function or software application of the device. It does not include accessing nonnavigation video content, engaging in a video call, accessing or engaging in video streaming, accessing gaming data, or reading an electronic message or notification”.
- An electronic device can be used in the motor vehicle if the vehicle is at a complete stop “off the traveled portion of the roadway, or as far away from the center of the roadway as is practicable”.
- In addition to public safety personnel performing official duties, health care professionals in the course of an emergency, and persons receiving safety-related information for purposes of emergency or weather alerts, the following exemptions are also included in the bill:
- Reporting an emergency situation;
- While operating an implement of husbandry;
- Use of a two-way radio transmitter or receiver if licensed with the federal communications commission in amateur radio service;
- Public transit official while performing official duties if in a vehicle that is not in motion;
- Utility maintenance employee or contractor while in a utility maintenance vehicle for purposes of providing utility services;
- Transportation network company driver while engaged in a prearranged ride, provided the vehicle is not in motion; and
- Use of a fleet management system.
- The bill allows for warning citations to be issued until January 1, 2026. Beyond that date, a violation is considered to be a moving violation and is punishable with a scheduled fine of $100. The bill provides for enhanced penalties for violations causing a serious injury or death.
On Wednesday, the House State Government Committee heard from Iowa Workforce Development Director, Beth Townsend. Director Townsend discussed state alignment changes and what impact that has had on the mission of Iowa’s workforce development. She outlined three major areas and discussed many positive changes. She highlighted elimination of the disability waiting list and accelerated job placements for persons with disabilities, combination of the local employment centers and vocational rehabilitation and reimagined programs and piloted new solutions. To access the Iowa Workforce Development website, click here.
The last action the House took on Thursday was to pass one of the Governor’s priorities, HF 889, the Families First bill. The bill provides four weeks of paid maternity leave and one week of paid paternity leave for state employees. The bill includes four weeks paid leave for adopting a child. The Senate did not move the companion bill out of Committee. In a Press Release issued moments after the bill passed, the Governor said “Nothing is more important to me than supporting Iowa families…The weeks after bringing home your baby are vital time for bonding and recovery and a crucial development period for newborns…”.
In the Know
In the first session of a General Assembly, both the House and Senate adopt rules to govern the session. Joint Rules are rules that both the House and Senate agree on, including the timeline for the various funnel deadlines. The rules to govern joining procedures for the 2025 and 2026 sessions can be found in House Concurrent Resolution 5. The Chambers also adopt joint rules governing lobbyists, see House Concurrent Resolution 4. Each chamber also adopts separate rules. An example is the House requiring amendments be filed 24 hours in advance of debate. The House and Senate both have adopted a Code of Ethics and Harassment Prevention Policies. To look at all the various rules, click here.
The authority for the chambers to adopt rule comes from the Iowa Constitution, Article III, 2nd, Sec. 9 which gives each House the authority to “sit upon its own adjournments, keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same; determine its rules of proceedings, punish members for disorderly behavior, and, with the consent of two thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offense; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the general assembly of a free and independent state.”
Scene on the Hill
March 19, 2025: BrownWinick team member Kelsey Schott is pleased to welcome clients Ken Trogden and Patrick Schmidt to the Iowa Capitol Library for their first visit.


