March 15, 2024

You Need to Know

• The second funnel occurs today, March 15. Learn about this and other important deadlines on the Legislative Timetable.

• For a bill to remain eligible to be considered, it must have passed out of a committee in the chamber it did not originate from. There are exceptions for Ways & Means, Appropriations, and Government Oversight bills.

• The pace and urgency of session will slow now that the 2nd funnel has passed. Legislators should have more time to talk and discuss issues so it is critical you contact your legislator and speak with them on the phone.

Legislation

SF 455 | Regulation of Stormwater in New Construction

• On a motion to reconsider, SF 455 passed as a House amendment and was delivered to the Senate. Procedurally speaking, this will allow for a new round of amendments and votes. However, the Senate passed a similar bill in 2023. 

• 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 before construction. 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 amend or vote no.

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

• 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.

• 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.

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 Local Government Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the Senate floor.

HF 2531 | Nuisance Declaration of Adult Cabaret Business

• Outlines the circumstances for which a business that is an adult cabaret can be deemed a public safety nuisance. 

• Passed out of committee in the Senate and will be eligible for consideration on the Senate Floor.

• The League is registered in support of this tool for local governments to manage problem actors who pose a threat to the public and a burden to public safety resources.

HF 2319 | Guaranteed Income Program Preemption

• Preempts local governments from making payments to an individual under a “Guaranteed Income Program” which is defined in the legislation. 

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

SF 2205 | Civil Service Hiring Deregulation

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

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

• Allows local control to suspend a bureaucratic and time-consuming procedure.

League Registered in Support

SF 2325 | Civil Service Disciplinary Regulations

• Alters Code of Iowa Chapter 400 in several ways including adding regulations 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 Local Government Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the House Floor.

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 toward 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.

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 State Government Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the Senate Floor.

• 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 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 Section 21.6. Requires officials to undergo training upon election or appointment to public office. Amendment S-5061, filed by the committee, strikes the provision that requires training for all elective and appointed officials of a governmental body. This amendment has not yet been adopted.

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

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 Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the Senate Floor.

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 Ways & Means Committee in the House and will be eligible for consideration on the Senate Floor.

• 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.

Upcoming Legislative Forums

Creston Legislative Coffee

When: Mar. 16, 8 – 9 a.m.

Where: Creston City Hall - Restored Depot, 116 W. Adams St., Creston

Arlington Town Meeting

When: Mar. 16, 9 – 10 a.m.

Where: Arlington Community Center, 853 Main St., Arlington

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Craig Johnson

Elk Horn Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 16, 10 – 11 a.m.

Where: The Kringle Man Pastries, 4234 Main St., Elk Horn

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Holt, Rep. Best

Hiawatha Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 16, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Where: Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, Rep. Eric Gjerde, Rep. Sami Scheetz, Rep. Tracy Ehlert

Monona Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 16, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Where: Monona Community Center, 407 South Egbert Street, Monona, IA 52159

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Osmundson

Anamosa Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 16, Noon – 1 p.m.

Where: Anamosa Library and Learning Center, 600 East 1st Street, Anamosa, IA 52205

Monticello Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 22, Noon – 1 p.m.

Where: Monticello City Council Chambers, 200 E. 1st St., Monticello

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Steve Bradley, Sen. Carrie Koelker

Leon Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 22, 2 – 3 p.m.

Where: Leon Community Center, 203 NE 2nd Street, Leon, IA 50144

Greater Iowa City Legislative Forum

When: Mar. 22, 2 – 3:30 p.m. 

Where: Wilson's Orchard & Farm, 4823 Dingleberry Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240

Confirmed Participants: Rep. Elinor Levin

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).