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.
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Capitol Pulse
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The capitol has picked up the pace. This will continue through at least the second funnel, on March 15.
The next important legislative hurdle is the first funnel in which bills must pass out of committee in the chamber of origination. Read about these important legislative dates on the Legislative Timetable.
In addition to education policy consuming a lot of the attention in the capitol, legislators are also focusing on public safety, local government, and tax policies.
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HSB 594 | Temporary Event Alcohol License
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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.
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HF 2062 | Enhanced Penalty for Open Meetings and Public Records Violations
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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.
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SF 454 | Civil Service for Public Safety - Hiring
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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
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League Registered in Support
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HF 2010 | Bans Quotas for Public Safety Stops
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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.
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SF 214 | Volunteer Fire as Councilor and Public Safety Funds
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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.
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SSB 3040 | Limitations on Residential Facade Requirements
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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.
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HSB 558 | Cell Tower Siting Extension
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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.
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SSB 3026 & HF 2165 | Enhanced Penalty for False Reporting
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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.
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League Registered in Support
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HF 2137 | Citizenship Requirements for Law Enforcement Academy
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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
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Eldridge Listening Post
When: Jan. 27, 8 - 9 a.m.
Where: Tasty Cafe, 209 E. LeClaire Rd., Eldridge
Confirmed: Rep. Mike Vondran
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Greene Town Hall
When: Jan. 27, 9 - 10 a.m.
Where: Greene Public Library, 231 W. Traer St., Greene
Confirmed: Sen. Sandy Salmon
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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
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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
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Carroll Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 27, 10 - 11 a.m.
Where: TBD
Confirmed: Sen. Jason Schultz, Rep. Brian Best
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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
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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
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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
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Okoboji Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 27, 11 - 12 p.m.
Where: Tweeter’s Bar & Grill, 1027 US-Highway 71, Okoboji
Confirmed: Rep. John Wills
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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).
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