Both the House and Senate held floor debate last week passing policy legislation to the opposite chamber before the upcoming second funnel deadline.

Both the House and Senate held subcommittee meetings on Wednesday to discuss the property tax reform legislation introduced earlier this month. The companion bills, Senate Study Bill 1208 and House Study Bill 313 were both advanced to full committee however, the chairs, Senator Dawson and Representative Kaufmann, indicated the legislation was not in its final form yet.

 

Pesticide Tort Liability

 

On Wednesday, the Senate passed Senate File 394 with a 26-21 vote after adopting an amendment. SF 394 protects pesticide companies from civil liability for failure to warn if the product label follows the approved labeling requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Opponents of the bill argued that the bill would provide blanket immunity to pesticide companies and limit Iowan’s ability to sue for potentially harmful chemical exposure. In response, an amendment including the language “This subsection should not be interpreted to prohibit a cause of action based on any other provision or doctrine of state law.”

Proponents of the bill argued the legislation would protect companies that are following federal law while still allowing Iowans to sue in instances where the product is proven to be harmful.

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

House File 970 passed on Wednesday with a 56-40 vote. The bill makes a $1 million appropriation to the Double Up Food Bucks Program, the program is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and expands access to produce by providing a $15 per day match. The bill also directs the state to request a federal waiver that would restrict what products are eligible for Iowans to buy with Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services would be directed to request a federal waiver for SNAP that limits the foods eligible to “only include healthy foods and beverages based on necessary nutrition for good health”.

The Senate has a similar bill, Senate File 232, that only includes the Double Up Food Bucks appropriation. Opponents of the bill argued that the federal waiver request would reduce benefits for Iowans and limit Iowan’s freedom to make decisions for their families.

 

Other Bills of Interest

Senate File 22 prohibits drivers from using cellphones or electronic devices while driving unless the device is in a voice-activated or hands-free mode. The Senate passed the bill 47-1 on March 18^th, and the House passed the bill 84-11 on Wednesday. Governor Reynolds is expected to sign the bill into law and encouraged the legislature to pass the bill during her Condition of the State address in January.

Senate Study Bill 1205 and House Study Bill 305 were introduced by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and would make significant changes to Iowa’s tax credits and incentives. Both chambers held subcommittees on the proposal on Thursday and indicted they were interested in amendments to address concerns on the bill.

Senate File 491 prohibits the use of drones over farm property and creates penalties for individuals who violate the law. The Senate previously passed the bill with a 43-3 vote. The House advanced the bill out of subcommittee on Thursday.

House File 972 was passed with a 95-1 vote in the House this week. The bill expands rural healthcare access and provides funding for physician recruitment and retention.

Senate File 45 allows for the creation of land redevelopment trusts with private and public partners to revitalize dilapidated properties. The Senate advanced the bill out of subcommittee on Thursday.

This week: Both chambers will likely hold their final policy committee meetings to ensure any priority legislation survives the second funnel deadline on April 4.  Legislation must receive a majority vote in the chamber it was initially introduced in and pass out of a policy committee in the opposite chamber before April 4^th to continue to be considered. Legislation in either the Ways and Means or Appropriation committees is exempt from the second funnel deadline.

Chris LaFerla

President & CEO

Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce