Work ahead for Iowa lawmakers after second funnel week narrows focus
DES MOINES, Iowa — The second funnel week of the 91st Iowa General Assembly was a little less eventful than the first, but some major bills have been kept alive.
Gov. Kim Reynolds' bill to have a statewide phone ban policy in schools remains actionable, as well as a bill requiring 80 hours of work a month for those able to receive Medicaid.
A bill relating to the use of eminent domain around carbon pipelines is also still alive in the Iowa Senate, but the final language will be the breaking point.
Republican Speaker of the House Sen. Pat Grassley said, 'Our ultimate objective is going to be protecting landowners and if we don't feel that we're giving those proper protections to landowners, it's going to be really hard to come to any level of agreement, I think.'
'I think it's… we're at a point where we have some language that we can all agree on. I think…you know as well as I do that to advance a bill you have to have 26 votes. So, we've gotten to a point where we have 26 people willing to step up and advance some property rights,' said Republican Senate President Amy Sinclair.
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Some bills killed by last week's deadline include liability protections for pesticide manufacturers in the state, pay increases for the governor and state lawmakers, and some language surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion offices at private schools.
The DEI topic, in general, remains alive with one bill out of the Senate advancing.
Democratic leadership is frustrated no party priorities advanced that they say would help Iowans.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said, 'We're disappointed, broadly, that there's been nothing done to help everyday Iowans' pockets. I mean, I can just say the legislation we put forward to lower childcare costs, to lower housing, to ensure that Iowans get a property tax rebate. They could still do that if they like, we've got a plan ready to go.
'There are states where they actually require that every bill gets a subcommittee at least. I would love to see that happen here so that we can at least get a hearing and have, so that Iowans that elected us can understand what the alternatives are even if they don't move forward from that,' said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner.
May 2nd is the 110th day of the session and when it is scheduled to end.
The massive property tax bill still has a lot of work to actually reach the finish line this year, and it's something that leadership says could bleed into the next legislative session.
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