January 26, 2024

You Need to Know

• This week, the Iowa Department of Management emailed cities a tool to estimate the Business Property Tax Credit Payment from the state to local governments for the FY 25 budget. Due to a variety of factors, we anticipate that the appropriated $125 million will be insufficient to fully fund the revenue losses and a prorated amount will be dispersed. This is several years earlier than expected. 

• When the Business Property Tax Credit was converted into an assessment limitation and the standing appropriation, which is meant to offset revenue loss, was directed to local governments rather than business. The League developed this one pager to describe the mechanics of this bill, and why we opposed this change, the Department of Revenue developed this page as an education resource for this change.

• The Iowa League of Cities is working with legislators on potential solutions to this funding shortfall.

Legislation

HSB 594 | Temporary Event Alcohol License

• Creates a new on-premise alcohol permit which is entirely handled by the ABD. This permit would allow native breweries to sell at temporary locations without transferring their current permit. As the bill is written, this permit would not notify local governments at any step in the process. 

• Passed through a House subcommittee with an understanding that amendments would be worked on at the committee level.

HF 2062 | Enhanced Penalty for Open Meetings and Public Records Violations

• Increases the penalties for violations of Open Meetings and Public Records laws found in Code of Iowa Chapter 21.6. Requires officials to undergo training upon election or appointment to public office. 

• Passed out of subcommittee in the House and will be eligible for consideration by the State Government Committee.

SF 454 | Civil Service for Public Safety - Hiring

• Reduces an administrative burden found in Code of Iowa Chapter 400. Specifically it allows cities to suspend the list requirements so that public safety hires can be pulled on a rolling basis rather than a stagnant and time sensitive list. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate

League Registered in Support

• This legislation reduces state mandated requirements on hiring practices of local governments.

HF 2010 | Bans Quotas for Public Safety Stops

• Clarifies Iowa Law to say that quotas for traffic stops are not allowed in addition to quotas for tickets or warnings. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House PUblic Safety Committee.

SF 214 | Volunteer Fire as Councilor and Public Safety Funds

• Allows a chief of a volunteer fire department to serve on council. Creates the ability for a city to establish a savings account, and if that account is created, there are special restrictions on the money from insurance payments, awards or judgements for damage to public safety vehicles into the fund and out of the fund. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration by the Senate Local Government Committee.

SSB 3040 | Limitations on Residential Facade Requirements

• Prevents a local government from restricting the exterior facade of residential buildings with limited exceptions for historic districts or Homeowners Association requirements. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration by the Local Government Committee. 

• This bill is similar to SF 174, and will possibly be considered as part of that bill rather than as a stand-alone bill.

HSB 558 | Cell Tower Siting Extension

• Extends the repeal of Chapter 8C, the Iowa Cell Siting Act, until the year 2035, which has been in place since 2017.

• Passed through a subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration by the House on Monday. 

SSB 3026 & HF 2165 | Enhanced Penalty for False Reporting

• Enhances penalties for an individual who knowingly reports to public safety a crime that they know did not occur. This has become known as “swatting”.

• Senate passed their companion out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House passed their companion out of the Public Safety Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the House Floor.

League Registered in Support

• The League is registered in support for two key reasons. First, this practice causes a waste of public safety time and resources. Second, it has been known to target public officials.

HF 2137 | Citizenship Requirements for Law Enforcement Academy

• Adds U.S. Citizenship as a requirement to be admitted to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

• Passed out of House Judiciary Committee and will be eligible to be debated on the House Floor.

Resources

• 2024 Iowa Legislative Session Timetable

• Find Your Legislator

• Find Committee and Subcommittee Meetings

• Find Legislation

Upcoming Legislative Forums

Cedar Valley Public Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: Hawkeye Community College - Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St., Waterloo

Eldridge Listening Post

When: Jan. 27, 8 - 9 a.m.

Where: Tasty Cafe, 209 E. LeClaire Rd., Eldridge

Confirmed: Rep. Mike Vondran

Sioux City Education Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 8:30 - 10 a.m.

Where: Sioux City Community Schools - Educational Service Center Board Room, 627 4th St., Sioux City

Confirmed: Rep. J.D. Scholten

Oskaloosa Coffee & Conversation

When: Jan. 27, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Smokey Row Coffee, 109 S. Market St., Oskaloosa

Confirmed: Sen. Ken Rozenboom, Sen. Adrian Dickey, Rep. Helena Hayes, Rep. Barb Kniff-McCulla

Fort Dodge Eggs & Issues Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Iowa Central Community College - Triton Cafe, 1 Triton Circle, Fort Dodge

Confirmed: Rep. Ann Meyer

Windsor Heights Talk with Officials Forum

When: Jan. 27, 8:30 - 10 a.m.

Where: Iowa Realty Office - Aisha R. Syed Board Room, 2830 100th St., Ste 110, Urbandale

Confirmed: Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, Sen. Claire Celsi, Polk County Supervisor Matt McCoy, Mayor Mike Jones

Spencer Eggs & Issues Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Where: Spencer City Hall - Council Chambers, 101 W. 5th St., Spencer

Confirmed: Rep. Megan Jones, Rep. John Wills

Greene Town Hall

When: Jan. 27, 9 - 10 a.m.

Where: Greene Public Library, 231 W. Traer St., Greene

Confirmed: Sen. Sandy Salmon

Iowa City Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Where: Iowa City Senior Center - Assembly Room, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City

Clarinda Legislative Briefing

When: Jan. 27, 10 - 11 a.m.

Where: Lied Public Library, 100 E. Garfield St., Clarinda

Confirmed: Sen. Tom Shipley, Rep. Devon Wood, Rep. Tom Moore

Carroll Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 10 - 11 a.m.

Where: TBD

Confirmed: Sen. Jason Schultz, Rep. Brian Best

Sioux City Legislative Town Hall

When: Jan. 27, 10 - 11 a.m.

Where: Sioux City Public Museum, 607 4th St., Sioux City

Confirmed: Rep. J.D. Scholten

Urbandale Talk with Officials Forum

When: Jan. 27, 10:30 - 12 p.m.

Where: Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Office, 2830 100th St. Ste 110, Urbandale

Invited: Rep. John Forbes, Sen. Brad Zaun, Rep. Eddie Andrews, Urbandale School Board Member Jason Menke

Webster City Political Forum

When: Jan. 27, 11 - 12 p.m.

Where: Iowa Central Community College - Chelesvig Center Room 106, 1725 Beach St., Webster City

Confirmed: Sen. Dennis Guth, Rep. Shannon Latham

Okoboji Legislative Forum

When: Jan. 27, 11 - 12 p.m.

Where: Tweeter’s Bar & Grill, 1027 US-Highway 71, Okoboji

Confirmed: Rep. John Wills

New Hampton Town Hall

When: Jan. 27, 11 - 12 p.m.

Where: New Hampton Public Library, 20 West Spring St., New Hampton

Confirmed: Sen. Sandy Salmon

North Liberty Conversation with Local Legislators

When: Jan. 28, 2 - 3 p.m.

Where: North Liberty Library, 520 W. Cherry St., North Liberty

Confirmed: Rep. Amy Nielsen, Rep. Adam Zabner

Des Moines Office Hours with Rep. Baeth

When: Jan. 29, 8 - 9 p.m.

Where: Lua Brewing, 1525 High St., Des Moines

Confirmed: Rep. Austin Baeth

Ankeny Legislative Office Hours

When: Feb. 2, 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Where: Main Street Cafe, 2510 SW White Birch Dr., Ankeny

Confirmed: Rep. Heather Matson

You can view all editions of Legislative Link at iowaleague.org/resource/legislative-link.

Like our membership, the Iowa League of Cities is a non-partisan, service-oriented organization that does not participate in elections, make campaign contributions, or have a political action committee (PAC).