- The Senate tax proposal, which alters Local Option Sales Tax, is still being worked on. Below you will find information about how this legislation impacts your specific community.
- The Governor has released broad omnibus regulation reform bills, HSB 682 & SSB 3123, which preempts local governments from adopting local plumbing, electrical and other building codes.
- February 18 is the first legislative funnel when bills must be passed out of committee in order to be eligible for further action. There are some exceptions, such as Ways & Means and Appropriations bills. See this and other important dates on the Legislative Timetable.
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SSB 3123 | Governor’s "Workforce" Bill Preempting Housing Code |
- Creates a statewide building code that local governments cannot raise or lower for electrical, plumbing, fire safety and energy efficiency standards.
- Increases the Veteran Property Tax Credit to reduce a veteran’s taxable value by $2,500. Prohibits the enforcement of any parking fee or fine for an individual with a license plate specially designated for purple heart recipients or Prisoners of War.
- Makes other alterations that have a lesser impact on local governments.
- The League is registered undecided, working with city partners to understand the impacts of this legislation.
- If this legislation impacts your city, we encourage you to share these impacts by emailing LegislativeStaff@IowaLeague.org.
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SSB 3087 | Utility Board Member Removal Preemption |
- Removes the authority of a mayor to remove utility board members. Puts that authority in the hands of a judge.
- Legislators expressed hesitation to remove this authority but allowed the bill to move forward.
- The League is registered in opposition and will be working to stop this bill from passing.
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HSB 621 | Financing for Telecommunications Facilities |
- Allows for joint financing of telecommunication facilities through Code of Iowa Chapter 28F. Adds the construction and reconstruction of fiber optic network conduit to essential corporate purpose. Requires that cities do not unreasonably discriminate among providers or deny access to city-owned conduit.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Information Technology Committee.
- The League supports altering essential corporate purposes to include conduit facilities but opposes the language, which would restrict its management of conduit.
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HF 804 | Unresponsive Property Owners in Condemnation Proceedings |
- Allows a city to recoup the costs accrued due to an unresponsive property owner when a city is undergoing a condemnation proceeding.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee.
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SSB 3053 | Alcoholic Beverages Division Omnibus |
- Allows for Class E alcohol permit holders, which includes selling beverages in sealed containers for off-premise consumption, to auto-renew their annual liquor license without involvement with local government.
- Makes other changes with lesser impact to cities.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate State Government Committee.
- The League is working with the Alcoholic Beverages Division to maintain local control and ensure that the local government’s role is expressed in the Code of Iowa.
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HF 2189 | Local Board of Review Requirements |
- Requires a local board of review to meet by May 7 of each year.
- Passed out of subcommittee and is eligible for consideration in the House Local Government Committee.
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- Clarifies that bids can be received through digital means. This is an interpretation that some cities and builders have been operating under for several years.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration by the State Government Committee in the House and Local Government in the Senate.
- The League is registered in support.
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SSB 3068 | Essential Corporate Purpose for Cybersecurity |
- Declares cybersecurity infrastructure and equipment as an essential corporate purpose.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Commerce Committee.
- The League is registered in support
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HF 2005 | Home Based Business Preemption |
- Preempts a local government from regulating a "no-impact home-based business" if this business meets certain criteria.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Local Government Committee.
- The League is registered undecided and working to ensure that the definition of "no impact business" is taken literally.
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SF 480 | Cost for Redacting Public Records |
- Prevents a local government from charging the legal fees associated with redacting public records to the person who requests the copy.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate State Government Committee.
- The League is registered in opposition.
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- Allows a city to declare a bar a public safety nuisance and revoke their liquor license through judicial proceedings.
- Passed out of Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the House Floor.
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SSB 3134 | Limitations on County Conservation Land Acquisition |
- Creates restrictions for county conservation boards when acquiring land, which would make it more difficult to utilize some property.
- Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
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HSB 691 | Prohibition from Paying Ransomware
HF 2321 | Council Authority Over Library Collection
SF 2227 | Volunteer Firefighters on Council
SF 2223 | Civil Service Disciplinary Proceedings
SSB 3118 | Holding Public Meetings Online
SF 2238 | Requiring city elections use partisan nominations
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Communication with your legislators is crucial to impacting policy in the statehouse. Take advantage of the local legislative forums listed below. Additionally, you can contact your legislative directly.
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February 12
February 13
February 18
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