Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Six

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 considered further it must pass on the floor of the original Chamber and be through the Committee in the other Chamber by March 15. The next few weeks will consist of a lot of House and Senate floor debate. To see a list of bills eligible for debate in the House, click here. For bills eligible for consideration in the Senate click here.

Hands Free and Traffic Cameras. Two issues that have been around for several years - expanding the prohibition on use of electronic devices while driving and prohibiting local government use of traffic cameras have been combined in a single bill. Both the Senate version SF 2337 and the House version HSB 707 moved forward last week in their respective Committees. The bills differ in their approach to using electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, but both bills expand the prohibition on use while driving. Both bills make the violation a moving violation which counts toward administrative suspension of a driver’s license or habitual offender status and increase penalties for a violation. The bills both prohibit use of traffic cameras for traffic enforcement and have an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Board and Commissions. The Governor’s version of the Boards and Commissions Review Committee (BCRC) bill, SSB 3172 moved forward last week. The 330 page bill has XXV separate divisions. Some of the provisions include elimination of all boards, commissions, committees, and councils identified by the BCRC, creating a new state government efficiency review committee, eliminating gender balance requirements for appointed Boards, and requiring the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing to review all current licensure renewal schedules and fees and report to the General Assembly. The House State Government Committee voted out HSB 710 which is much more limited in scope. The 49 page bill focused on eliminating Boards, Commissions, Committees, Councils, and other entities that are no longer functional.

Transmission. Interesting discussions took place this week in both House and Senate subcommittees on bills that were the subject of an Iowa Supreme Court opinion issued in March 2023. LS Power v. State of Iowa criticized the actions of the legislature when passing the right of first refusal provisions. Ultimately, the Court held and remanded to the District Court who affirmed the decision that the statute violated both the single subject and title requirements of the Iowa Constitution. The companion bills HSB 698 and SSB 3176, amend Iowa Code Section 478.16 by adding intent language to “express a preference for further investment in Iowa transmission infrastructure by electric transmission owners who have already dedicated significant resources to develop the infrastructure on which Iowans rely.” and to make the entire Act retroactive to July 1, 2020. Both bills passed out of their respective subcommittees and Commerce Committees this week. Testimony both for and against the bills was extensive. Next step is floor debate.  

In the Know  

Election Updates. Representative Ako Abdul-Samad announced that he would not be seeking reelection. Representative Abdul-Samad is currently serving his ninth term, having first won election in 2006. Abdul-Samad represents House District 34 in Des Moines and is the founder of Creative Visions, a non-profit that is dedicated to reducing violence, poverty and homelessness.

Another House Democrat, Representative Sharon Steckman announced at a forum on Saturday that she would not seek another term. Steckman, a former teacher, has focused her time in the legislature on education issues. Steckman, who represents House District 59 which includes Mason City, will be finishing her eighth term.

In other news last week, Attorney General Brenna Bird joined a 15 state coalition in opposition to the new EPA rule on Lead Pipe replacement. “The new Biden EPA rule goes further by mandating complete lead pipe removal within ten years. The mandate imposes unrealistic deadlines, forces homeowners to foot the bill, and saddles States with an estimated $60 million price tag – four times the $15 billion Congress put toward replacing dangerous lead pipes. The burden will fall on homeowners to cover remaining costs, despite there being alternative, less costly measures.” Read the full letter here.  

Legislative Forums  

While many lawmakers hold forums in their districts year-round, it’s especially important for them to hear from constituents when they’re making decisions during the legislative session.  The events listed below are opportunities to get involved. You can also find these events on BrownWinick’s Iowa Political Events page.   

Key Dates — 2024 Iowa Legislative Session 

Scene on the Hill

February 14, 2024: Representatives from the Iowa Recycling Association and the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations who made the trip to Des Moines for the legislative breakfast pose before the event.