Labor & Business Relations – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2295 – Wage Theft FLOOR ACTION: SF 2295 puts the burden of proof on the employer to establish the legality of deductions from employee wages and requires an employer to obtain written...
View ArticleLocal Government – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2266 – Vehicle registration and delinquent parking fines SF 2263 – County bonding flexibility FLOOR ACTION: SF 2266 codifies the current practice of charging a $5 administration fee to collect...
View ArticleNatural Resources – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2248 – Emerald Ash Borer task force and interim committee SF 2300 – Regulation and registration of snowmobiles HF 2067 – Allows youth to hunt beyond the youth wild turkey hunting season FLOOR...
View ArticleState Government – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2119 – Campaign Finance SF 2235 – Government Efficiency SF 2278 – Electronic Voter Registration SF 2280 – CIO & Confidential Database SF 2301– Administration of Elections SF 2302–...
View ArticleTransportation – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2288 – Revocation period for driving on Minor School License SF 2290 – Exempts rail operators from the requirement to carry a driver’s license SF 2291 – Registration & titling for new completed...
View ArticleVeterans Affairs – week of March 3, 2014
SF 2242 – Military homeownership assistance program FLOOR ACTION: SF 2242 relates to the state’s military homeownership assistance program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA)....
View ArticleEnsuring Iowans get paid for their work
Iowa workers and honest employers are hurt when some businesses short paychecks, confiscate tips, misclassify workers, take unauthorized deductions and fail to pay overtime. These bad actors cheat...
View ArticleProtecting seniors from abuse & exploitation
Many Iowa seniors are at risk for abuse, neglect and financial exploitation every day, particularly those who depend on others to help them with the most basic activities of daily living. Iowa has a...
View ArticleA model of civic & volunteer engagement
One of the best parts of being a state legislator is encouraging more Iowans to get involved, whether it is though civic engagement or volunteer work in their communities. This week, we saw those two...
View ArticlePreventing dangers of underage drinking
Because we want to keep Iowa children safe, we sometimes have to set limits on them for their own protection. In a unanimous vote, the Senate approved “social host” legislation. SF 2310 sends a message...
View ArticleReducing health risks with radon testing in schools
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can cause cancer. Even though you can’t see, smell or taste it, it is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer...
View ArticleModernizing criminal law on infectious disease
Iowa’s criminal law relating to transmission of HIV is outdated and severely punishes people who have no criminal intent to transmit the disease. The law stigmatizes everyone who suffers from HIV and...
View ArticleGood policies can help troubled youth
We need to take action as a state to ensure that Iowa’s female juvenile delinquents get the rehabilitation they need to become self-sufficient, upstanding members of their communities. The Iowa Senate...
View ArticleSmall Business Centers grow Iowa jobs
Iowa’s small businesses are the heart of our state’s economy. According to the Small Business Administration: • Small businesses represent more than 97 percent of all firms in Iowa. • There are more...
View ArticleSchool districts begin teacher leadership effort
The first Iowa school districts have been selected to launch a teacher leadership effort starting next school year. Top teachers taking on leadership roles to improve classroom instruction and raise...
View ArticleCommerce – week of March 10, 2014
SF 2195 – IUB telecommunications regulation clean- up HF 2324 – Mortgage lenders federal guidelines, Consumer Credit Code HF 2408 – Iowa One Call underground facilities notification FLOOR ACTION:...
View ArticleEducation – week of March 10, 2014
SF 2056 – Whole grade sharing incentive program extension HF 2194 – Delaying basic school funding (amended to 6 percent) HF 2388 – Encourages AEAs to employ child welfare liaisons for foster student...
View ArticleHuman Resources – week of March 10, 2014
HF 2109 – E-Cigarettes – Prohibition of Sale to Minors SF 2293– Physician Assistants and Temporary Civil Commitment HF 2378 – Provisional License in Psychology HF 2379 – Crisis Stabilization Program...
View ArticleJudiciary – week of March 10, 2014
HF 159 – Possession of Meth Precursor Substances HF 475 – GPS Warrants Obtained by Local Law Enforcement HF 2132 – Gideon Fellowship Program in the State Public Defender Office HF 2278 – Restricting...
View ArticleLocal Government – week of March 10, 2014
HF 2183 – City utility delinquent accounts on waste water/sewer COMMITTEE ACTION: HF 2183 allows a public utility to enter into an agreement with a city to discontinue wastewater, sewer and storm...
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