You Need to Know |
Many bills which moved this week were proposed and considered in 2023 but did not advance to the Governor’s desk. Contact your legislators immediately to express your opinions on these as they often move quicker than newly introduced ideas.
Legislative session is in full swing. Many bills moved through not only subcommittees but also through full committee this week.
Legislative Link contains legislation that moved through a process in the last week. Read about other subjects such as LOSST, open meetings and open records, and Emergency Managers Agencies in future editions of Legislative Link.
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Capitol Pulse
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After the Presidential Caucus on Monday, Legislators returned to Des Moines Tuesday and quickly got to work with many impactful bills moving through subcommittees.
Friday, January 19 is the final date for individual legislators to send bill and resolution requests to the Legislative Services Agency (LSA). This is one of many procedural deadlines found in the Legislative Timetable.
Much of the legislative environment is currently consumed with education policy discussion. While the Iowa League of Cities typically does not get involved in these policies, much of the oxygen in the capitol is consumed with these bills.
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HF 473 | Sale of a Water, Sanitary Sewer, or Storm Water Utility
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Increases the threshold to trigger Iowa Utility Board (IUB) oversight of the sale of a municipal water utility. The current threshold is $500k and the proposed threshold is $3 million.
The current language is a compromise between the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and American Water.
Passed out of the House Commerce Committee and will be eligible for consideration on the House Floor.
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SF 455 | Regulation of Storm Water in New Construction
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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.
Passed out of subcommittee in the House and will be eligible for consideration by the House Local Government Committee.
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League Registered in Opposition
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SF 2037 | Preemption of Behavioral Health and Human Service Restrictions
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Preempts a local government from preventing or regulating behavioral health and human services as they are described in Code of IowaChapter 147, 154B, 154C, and 154D. The legislation does allow for traditional zoning considerations.
Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Local Government Committee.
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HSB 545 | 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”.
Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Public Safety Committee.
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League Registered in Support
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SSB 3003 | Cell Siting Repeal Extension
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Extends the repeal of Chapter 8C, Iowa Cellular Siting Act, until the year 2035. This chapter of code has been in place since 2017.
Passed through a subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration by the Senate Technology Committee.
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SF 174 | Building Design Standard Preemption
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Provides a preemption of design and facade standards which are not for health or safety, found in one of the last two editions of a national model code. Provides exemptions for historic districts, Tax Increment Finance Districts, business improvement districts, or Homeowners Association regulations.
Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Local Government Committee.
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HSB 552 | Guaranteed Income Preemption
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Preempts local governments from making payments to individuals in a guaranteed income program. This does not apply to training, educational, employment, or programs authorized by the State.
Passed of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee.
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SF 457 | Civil Service Firing Restrictions
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Adds additional restrictions on the Civil Service Commissions when bringing disciplinary actions or complaints.
Passed out of subcommittee and will be eligible for consideration in the Senate Local Government Committee.
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HSB 516 | Zoning and placement of Maternity Homes
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Upcoming Legislative Forums
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Emmetsburg Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 20, 8 - 9:30 AM
Where: Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Broadway St., Emmetsburg
Confirmed: Rep. John Wills
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Arlington Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 20, 9 - 10 AM
Where: Arlington Community Center, 853 Main St., Arlington
Confirmed: Sen. Craig Johnson
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Waverly Town Hall
When: Jan. 20, 9 - 10 AM
Where: Waverly Area Veterans Post, 1300 4th St. NW, Waverly
Confirmed: Sen. Sandy Salmon
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Newton Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 20, 10 - 11 AM
Where: Newton Public Library, 100 N. 3rd Ave. W, Newton
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Harlan Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 20, 10 - 11 AM
Where: Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, 1901 Hawkeye Ave., Harlan
Confirmed: Rep. Steve Holt and Sen. Jason Schultz
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Charles City Town Hall
When: Jan. 20, 12 - 1 PM
Where: Floyd County Museum, 500 Gilbert St., Charles City
Confirmed: Sen. Sandy Salmon
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Ankeny Legislative Office Hours
When: Jan. 26, 9 - 10:30 AM
Where: Main Street Cafe, 2510 SW White Birch Dr., Ankeny
Confirmed: Rep. Heather Matson
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Cedar Valley Public Legislative Forum
When: Jan. 26, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Hawkeye Community College - Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St., Waterloo
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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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