Government Relations Legislative Update - Week Two

Capitol Update

The second week of session picked up speed following Monday’s caucus events.  On Wednesday the first “floor work” for the session was conducted.  Both the House and Senate passed resolutions, SR 102 and HR 102, to recognize the term “brain health” as a term that may be used synonymously with the terms mental health, mental illness and behavioral health in order to encourage Iowans to seek brain health services in a stigma free environment.  The Resolutions continued on Thursday with the House passing HR 101 a resolution supporting Israel   Prior to the vote, the rotunda was filled with pro-Palestinian protestors. 

The House held its appropriations subcommittee meetings to review the Governor’s proposed budgets for each department.  Although technically the budget committees are joint committees with members from both the House and the Senate, over the last few years the House and Senate have not held joint meetings.  The Legislative Fiscal Agency attends the Committee meetings and reviews the proposals.  The biggest department in state government in terms of both size and money, is the Department of Health and Human Services.  To see the budget proposal for HHS, click here. 

Budget Committees weren’t the only busy Committees this week.  The House Commerce Committee discussed a lengthy report from London Economics International, LLC who contracted with the Iowa Utilities Board to study ratemaking.  The report was required by legislation passed during the 2023 session that required the IUB to review and make recommendations in regard to investor-owned utility ratemaking.  The extensive recommendations and report can be found here.  Senate Commerce held a similar meeting during the first week of session. 

The House Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services discussing mental and behavioral health redesign.  The Governor spoke about the redesign during her State of the State and indicated that it was one of her priorities.  The Committee heard testimony from Director Kelly Garcia, Medicaid Director Liz Matney, and Director of Behavioral Health Marissa Eyanson and asked a lot of questions.  While the presentation was informative, the real story will be told in the bill draft to implement the redesign.  The bill has not yet been filed. 

In the Know  

Elections.  Hard to imagine anyone in Iowa wouldn’t know who won the Iowa Republican Caucus on Monday night, but just in case - former President Trump won handily, followed by Governor Ron DeSantis with Ambassador Nikki Haley a close third.  The Democrats held “organizational” caucuses but did not officially caucus for President.  The Iowa Democrats will calculate votes by issuing a Presidential Preference Card, which must be returned by Feb. 19.  Official votes will be announced on March 5 which is recognized as ‘Super Tuesday’. 

Two current State Senators made their future retirements public last week.  Senator Jeff Edler, currently the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, will not seek another term.  Edler is finishing out the last session of his second term, having first been elected to serve in 2016.  A farmer, Edler represents Marshall County and a large part of rural Story County.  Edler has become an expert on human services issues, leading the Health and Human Services standing committee and as a member of the HHS appropriations subcommittee. 

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum formally announced she was not seeking another term.  Jochum is one of the longest serving legislators - having first been elected to the House in 1993.  She served eight terms in the House representing Dubuque and then was elected to the Senate where she is finishing out her fourth term.  Jochum served as the Senate President from the 2013 through 2016 sessions when the Democrats held the majority. 

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

January 17, 2024: Supporters and veterans alike made the trip to Des Moines for the Veterans Day at the Capitol.