March 8, 2024

You Need to Know

• The second legislative funnel is just one week away on March 15. Learn more about this important deadline on the Legislative Timetable.

• Local Leaders Day brought over 100 local government officials to the Capitol to discuss the value of local leadership and the empowerment of local communities.

Legislation

SF 455 | Regulation of Stormwater in New Construction

• SF 455 was called for a vote and failed to pass in the House on Wednesday. This legislation could be brought up at any time. Please thank your legislators who voted against this legislation and encourage them to seek amendment or continue their opposition.

• 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

• Urge your legislator to vote no: If your legislator voted no, thank them for their vote, and encourage them to vote no again when this gets called up in the future. If your legislator voted yes, please contact them and help them understand how this bill impacts your ability to prevent flooding in your community, the cost of this bill on water utility rates, impacts on new development, or how it could harm existing properties.

• Local Issue: Stormwater and flooding are very local issues, impacting communities across the state differently. Cities need tools and flexibility to address stormwater in a way that works for their community.  

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

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

  
  

SSB 3142 | Constitutional Amendment Limiting Income Tax Increase

• Alters the Iowa Constitution to say that any piece of State Legislation that would increase income tax would require a two-thirds majority in the Iowa House and Senate. Constitutional amendments are required to pass in two general assemblies and then be presented at election to the general public.

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

HSB 723 | Department of Revenue Omnibus, Electronic Filing of Tobacco Permits

• This multi-division bill contains language which would require cities to provide tobacco permits, tax stamps, and other communications to the Department of Revenue electronically, which mirrors the alcohol permits.

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

SF 2325 | Civil Service Disciplinary Procedures

• Alters Code of Iowa  Chapter 400 in several ways including adding regulation and requirements on Civil Service Commission disciplinary procedures including banning citizen review boards of police conduct, setting the number of commission members, and setting requirements for what the commission can consider when hearing a review. 

• This bill passed out of the Senate, and a House subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Local Government Committee.

League Registered in Opposition

Talking Points

• This legislation is drafted by groups and individuals who routinely bring lawsuits against the city in a way that slants the process towards their clients. 

• Bans citizen review committees for some cities which have had them in place for decades, and pre-date the national push for them.

• Adds expense, administration, and burden to volunteers who want to serve their community.

SF 2331 | Publication Requirement Relief

• Alters many details about publishing government notices and minutes including allowing a city to “deliver” minutes to a newspaper rather than “cause to be published” within 15 days. Requires newspapers to publish public notices online free of charge if they use a website. Allows a city to publish notice to their website if a newspaper refuses to publish their notice. Prevents a newspaper from charging a city for an affidavit of publishing. Requires newspapers to refund any money to a local government if they fail to publish and the city publishes on their website. Gives the Iowa Public Information Board the ability to resolve disputes that arise from conflicts within Code of Iowa Chapter 618.

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

• The League is registered in support of this legislation because it modernizes an outdated and burdensome unfunded mandate. Please contact your House of Representatives member and encourage them to support SF 2331.

League Registered in Support

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 and a portion is directed to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.

• This legislation is one of several proposals affecting Automated Traffic Enforcement. Of the several we are monitoring, SF 489 is the most workable if it were to pass. Please contact your State Senator and ask them to support reasonable regulations and oppose total ban of ATE.

• Passed out of Senate Ways & Means Committee and will be eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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.

HF 2276 | Maternity Group Home Zoning

• Allows for Maternity Group Homes, which are defined in the bill, to be considered residential use for the purposes of zoning without a special or conditional use permit.

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

HF 2539 | Fines and Training 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. Allows for a court to remove an elected official from office for these violations

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

SF 570 | Emergency Management Commission

• An amendment to this legislation alters the bill significantly and is expected at Committee next week. The current legislation alters Emergency Management Commissions as well as the voting power of each commissioner. Adds additional restrictions on hiring and firing of staff based on this new makeup of the commission. Provides the Emergency Management Commissions with a capped levy independent of county supervisors. 

• The League is registered undecided and will review the amendment once available and will make a registration decision at that time. 

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

HF 2601 | Parking Meter Regulations and Requirements

• Requires the regulation of parking meters owned or operated by local governments in a manner that generally requires parking space specific options and prevents the use of license plate specific systems. Allows cities to charge a specific spot only for time utilized.

• Passed out of the House and sent to the Senate where it will be considered by the Transportation Committee.

HF 2630 | Teacher Bona Fide Retirements

• Makes several changes impacting teacher compensation. One of those changes allows bona fide retirement for teachers only to be reached after one month of retirement rather than four. A three-year sunset is included and the cost would be spread across the regular membership class.
• Passed the House and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate. 

HF 2319 | Guaranteed Income Program Preemption

• Preempts a local government from providing a guaranteed income program. Under the legislation, a guaranteed income program does not include programs in which the individual receiving payment is required to work or attend training as a condition of their payments. 

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

• A Senate subcommittee has been scheduled for March 12, at 12:00 p.m. in Room 217.

Upcoming Legislative Forums

Glenwood Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 9, 8 – 9 a.m.

Where: Glenwood City Hall, 5 N. Vine St., Glenwood

Confirmed Participants: Rep. David Sieck

Emmetsburg Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 9, 8:30 – 10 a.m.

Where: Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Broadway St., Emmetsburg

Confirmed Participants: Rep. John Wills, Sen. Dave Rowley

Wayne County Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 9, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Chariton Valley Planning & Development Office, 308 N. 12th St., Centerville

Confirmed Participants: Sen. Amy Sinclair, Sen. Cherielynn Westrich, Rep. Austin Harris

Dension Legislative Coffee

When: Mar. 9, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: Chamber & Development Council of Crawford County, 109 N. Main St., Denison

Storm Lake Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 9, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: King's Pointe Resort, 1520 E. Lakeshore Dr., Storm Lake

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Megan Jones

Iowa City Legislative Check-In

When: Mar. 9, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Sidekick Coffee & Books, 1302 1/2 Melrose Ave., Iowa City

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Elinor Levin

Jefferson Meet Your Legislator

When: Mar. 9, 5 – 6 p.m.

Where: Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County, 201 E. Lincoln Way, Jefferson

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Carter Nordman, Sen. Jesse Green

Marion Coffee & Conversations

When: Mar. 10, 8:30 – 10 a.m.

Where: Uptown Coffee Company, 760 11th St., Suite A, Marion

Confirmed Participants: Sen. Donahue, Rep. Wilson

Des Moines Office Hours with Rep. Baeth

When: Mar. 11, 8 – 9 p.m.

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

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Austin Baeth

Peosta Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 14, 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Where: Trackside Bar and Grill, 709 Peosta St., Peosta

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Lundgren

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).