March 1, 2024

You Need to Know

• Legislation moves quickly this time of year so there is no time to wait to contact your legislators. If a bill below affects your community, call your legislator now to share that impact.

• Legislation impacting cities' ability to regulate stormwater, SF455, is expected to move in the coming week and remains eligible for debate in the House. If this impacts your city, there is more information and talking points below to share with your legislator.

Legislation

SF 455 | Regulation of Stormwater in New Construction

• Preempts a local government from regulating the preservation, compaction, placement, or depth of topsoil at a construction site. Does allow cities to regulate stormwater runoff to match flow rates prior to construction. 
  

• An amendment was filed, H-8004, which defines construction site, topsoil, and allows cities and counties to provide more restrictive storm water regulations at construction sites if they meet all of the four criteria outlined in the amendment which generally requires cities to pay for the study and engineering as well as cover the costs of added regulation.

League Registered in Opposition

Talking Points

• Stormwater is a very local issue, impacting communities across the state differently. Cities need tools and flexibility to address stormwater in a way that works for their community. 

• Shift some costs of stormwater management from individual developments to the community at large.

• Growth communities may find it difficult to respond to the impacts of new developments, which will require adding additional staff or slowing down growth.

SF 489 | Automated Traffic Enforcement

• Requires local governments to make an application to the Department of Transportation before utilizing Automated Traffic enforcement (ATE). Includes requirements on signage, justification reports, and other regulations of the use of ATEs. Requires that a percentage of the revenue is directed towards Length of Service Award Program, an optional bonus for volunteer public safety officers. 

• This legislation is one of several proposals affecting Automated Traffic Enforcement. Of the several we are monitoring, SF 489 is the most workable and fair to local governments.

Talking Points

• Automated Traffic Enforcement tools serve as a public safety force multiplier.  

• ATE allows for the utilization of modern technology to promote efficiency and cost savings. 

• These tools reduce speeds, which saves lives, all while keeping officers out of harm's way

SF 2205 | Civil Service Hiring

• Allows a local government to temporarily suspend the requirements of Code of Iowa Section 400.11 paragraph 1 subsection a. This is commonly referred to as “Civil Service Hiring List”.

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

• The League is registered in support because this allows local control to suspend a bureaucratic and time-consuming procedure. This bill will need to pass through committee prior to March 15 in order to remain eligible.

League Registered in Support

HF 2299 | Records Requests in Comparable Format

• Allows a local government to provide open records in a reasonable and comparable format to what is requested. Allows for publicly available information on the internet to suffice as fulfilling an open records request. 

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate where it has been referred to the State Government Committee for consideration.

• The League is registered in favor of this legislation because it provides modernization and flexibility to a rigid mandate on local governments. You are encouraged to contact your State Senator and ask them to “vote yes on HF 2299.”

League Registered in Support

HF 2533 | Sheriff Pension, New Public Safety Tax Credit

• Provides additional benefits to Sheriff and Sheriff Deputies through Code of Iowa Section 97B.49C. Adds enhanced penalties for assaulting an officer. Provides a tax credit for moving expenses for officers who relocate to Iowa.

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Ways & Means Committee.

• The League is registered undecided on this legislation. While we appreciate additional tools and resources to recruit new officers, we often hear about the disparity between city and county benefits as a challenge to keeping qualified officers.

HF 2482 | MFPRSI & IPERS Cancer Coverage

• Strikes the list of cancers which are presumed to be work related within Code of Iowa Chapters 97A and 411 and replaces it with a definition of cancer, making all cancers presumed to be work related.

• An amendment was added that expressly allows local governments to utilize group health insurance plans to cover cancer, lung and respiratory illnesses as long as no related cost is paid by the employee. Adds mental medical attention to Code of Iowa Section 411.15.

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate for consideration.

HSB 726 | Residential Rollback for Childcare Facilities

• Applies the residential rollback to properties used as childcare facilities. Requires an application and approval through the county assessor. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be considered by the House Ways & Means Committee.

SF 2095 | Free Exercise of Religion

• Requires a government to have a compelling interest in order to be able to substantially burden an individual’s free exercise of religion. Will take effect once it is signed into law and applies to all laws, statutory or otherwise and in effect prior or after this becomes law.

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Governor who has expressed an eagerness to sign this legislation into law.

HF 2453 | Theft of Public Funds

• Removes a judge's discretion over whether or not someone convicted of theft of public funds of more than $7,500 would receive jail time by requiring them to serve. 

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate where a similar bill is already on the Debate Calendar.

HF 2464 | Gun Ownership Lists

• Prevents local governments and financial institutions from maintaining lists of gun ownership or sales, with the exception of normal investigative reports. 

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

SF 2096 | Gender Balance Requirement of Boards and Commissions

• Strikes the requirement that governmental bodies make a good faith effort to maintain gender balance on appointed boards. A Federal Judge recently ruled the gender balance requirement for the judicial nominating commission to be unconstitutional. 

• The House and Senate have passed this language and it will be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

SF 2161 | Anti-”Swatting” Enhanced Penalties

• 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.”

• Passed out of the Senate and sent to the House where a similar bill is on the Debate Calendar.

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

League Registered in Support

HF 2175 | 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 out of the Senate and will be sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

HSB 716 | Income Tax Credit for Local Government’s Audits

• Allows income that Certified Public Accountants receive from performing audits for local governments to be considered tax exempt. 

• Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Ways & Means Committee.

HF 2556 | Penalties for Violation of Weapons Preemption

• Creates a penalty for government employees who participate in violating local government preemption laws surrounding firearms and firearm attachments. 

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate for consideration.

HF 2398 | Public Officials Bonds and Insurance Coverage

• Allows a public officer, who is required to obtain a bond as a condition of holding elected or appointed office, the option of purchasing similar insurance coverage. Changes the penalty for not having this bond or insurance from “removal from office” to “suspended from office.”

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate where companion legislation has already been placed on the debate calendar. 

• The League is supportive because of a trend nationally, and in Iowa, to challenge local government actions based on their elected and appointed official’s bond coverage.

Upcoming Legislative Forums

Stratford Lattes with Latham

When: Mar. 2, 8 – 9 a.m.

Where: The Bakin’ Diner, 824 Shakespeare Ave., Stratford

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Shannon Latham

Wilton Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 2, 9 – 10 a.m.

Where: Wilton City Hall - Community Room, 104 E. 4th St., Wilton

Ida Grove Coffee & Issues

When: Mar. 2, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Where: The Farmacy Soda Fountain & Coffee House, 506 2nd St., Ida Grove

Confirmed Participants: Sen. Schultz, Rep. Holt

Dubuque Cracker Barrel Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Where: Diamond Jo Casino, 301 Bell St., Dubuque

Coffee & Conversaton with Rep. Buck

When: Mar. 2, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Porch Light Coffee, 417 SW 3rd St., Ankeny

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Molly Buck

Onawa Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 2, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Onawa Public Library, 707 Iowa Ave., Onawa

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Ken Carlson

Quasqueton Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 2, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Wolfey's Wapsi Outback, 101 Water St. S., Quasqueton

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Craig Johnson

Wapello Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 2, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Wapello City Hall, 335 N. Main St., Wapello

Des Moines Office Hours with Rep. Srinivas

When: Mar. 2, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Southside Public Library - Meeting Room, 1111 Porter Ave., Des Moines

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Megan Srinivas

Marshalltown Community Conversation

When: Mar. 2, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Marshalltown Public Library, 105 W. Boone St., Marshalltown

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Sue Cahill

Algona Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 3, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Algona Public Library, 210 N. Phillips St., Algona

Des Moines Office Hours with Rep. Srinivas

When: Mar. 4, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: DMARC, 100 Army Post Rd., Des Moines

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Megan Srinivas

Des Moines Office Hours with Rep. Baeth

When: Mar. 4, 8 – 9 p.m.

Where: Lua Brewing (1525 High Street, Des Moines

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Austin Baeth

Des Moines Townhall

When: Mar. 7, 6 – 7 p.m.

Where: Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave., Des Moines

Confirmed Participants: Sen. Jane Petersen, Rep. Sean Bagniewski

Ankeny Legislative Office Hours

When: Mar. 8, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

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

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Heather Matson

Cedar Valley Public Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 8, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

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

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).