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 budget bills (see Chart Below) they have NOT agreed on joint targets. Once that agreement is made between the two Chambers, the appropriations bills will be worked out and moved quickly. If that happens, the 2024 session could end late next week.   

The Governor signed one of her priority bills on Tuesday, SF 2204 a bill regulating foreign land ownership. Speaking to a large audience in the rotunda, she said “American soil belongs in American hands.” The bill increases disclosure requirements for a “nonresident alien, foreign business, or foreign government” who owns an interest in agricultural land in Iowa, including a statement of the purpose for conducting business in the state and a listing of all other interests in agricultural land that exceed 250 acres. The bill allows the Attorney General to investigate, including issuing subpoenas and seeking enforcement from the District Court. A civil penalty of up to 25% of the county’s assessed value for the land for failure to register with the Secretary of State. In an effort to provide more transparency, the bill also requires the Secretary of State to provide the Governor and the General Assembly with an annual report summarizing foreign landholding in the state. Failure to file or update or filing a false report is punishable by up to $10,000 for each offense. The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2024. 

Income Tax - Constitutional amendments. The Senate took a final step forward this week on HJR 2006. The bill proposes a Constitutional Amendment to require a 2/3 majority vote by lawmakers to increase the “individual income tax rate or the corporate income tax rate, or the rate of any other type of tax based upon income or legal and special reserves.” The proposal provides that a lawsuit challenging the proper enactment of a bill under this amendment must be filed no later than one year following enactment. The exact language of HJR 2006 must be passed during the 91st General Assembly (2025-2026) in order for the amendment to be placed on the ballot at the next General Election (Nov. 2026). SJR 2004 also proposes to amend the Iowa Constitution to require a single individual income tax rate. This bill will be considered by the House next week.   

In the Know  

Rural Attorney Recruitment in Iowa. A bill, shepherded by Representative Brian Lohse, attempts to address an issue that is hitting rural Iowa hard, the lack of attorneys in rural areas. HF 2689, which passed out of the House Appropriations Committee this week would establish a Rural Attorney Recruitment Assistance program in the Department of Education.   

Representative Lohse stated that the proposal is modeled after a South Dakota program. “They started small like we are with, I believe, five attorneys. I think they’ve now funded up to 13 different attorneys in different parts of South Dakota,” he said, “so hopefully we have the same success both in attracting attorneys to rural areas, but also in increasing the number of contract attorneys that we have doing that important work across the state.” 

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 

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Scene on the Hill

April 9, 2024: Governor Reynolds, lawmakers, and supporters look on as Attorney General Bird gives remarks regarding the signing of the foreign land ownership bill (SF 2204).