Transportation – week of March 23, 2015
SF 397 – Department of Transportation omnibus HF 287 – Counterfeit, nonfunctional or unsafe airbags FLOOR ACTION: SF 397 is the Department of Transportation (DOT) policy bill. As amended, the bill...
View ArticleAllowing homebuyers to get radon testing
The Iowa Senate has approved consumer protection legislation ensuring that potential homebuyers can get radon test results. HF 371 allows a certified radon tester to disclose the results of a radon...
View ArticleAmerican Legion of Iowa Foundation grant applications
The American Legion of Iowa Foundation is accepting grant applications to help purchase materials for the benefit of hospitalized veterans, medical and/or scientific research, literary endeavors...
View ArticleSchool funding delay threatens student achievement
State funding for our local schools remains undecided, even after a fourth meeting this week of the special legislative committee charged with finding a compromise between the House and the Senate. At...
View ArticleApplications accepted for 2015 National Veterans Golden Age Games
The Department of Veterans Affairs is accepting applications from veterans interested in competing in the 2015 National Veterans Golden Age Games to be held August 8 to 12 in Omaha. VA Nebraska-Western...
View ArticleProtecting students from severe allergic reactions
Epinephrine is a drug that treats severe allergic reactions in an emergency. Epinephrine auto-injectors, generally known as EpiPens, are medical devices for injecting a measured dose of epinephrine to...
View ArticleGovernor’s plan may endanger vulnerable Iowans
n January, Governor Branstad surprised Iowans by proposing to privatize almost all of Iowa’s Medicaid system. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to just over a half million Iowans. They...
View ArticleIowa ranks high for government transparency
Iowa received an “A-” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to Following the Money 2015: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the sixth...
View ArticlePreventing the dangerous crime of stalking
The Iowa Senate recently approved two bills to prevent stalking, which can leave victims feeling terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened or worse. SF 395 expands the definition of stalking for...
View ArticleFederal investigation confirms bias at Workforce Development
Last year, Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expressing concerns about Iowa Workforce Development and its director, Teresa Wahlert. The letter was...
View ArticleTaking steps to strengthen middle class
Iowa is doing the right thing to strengthen our middle class after the devastation of the national recession. One of the reasons Iowa has weathered the economic downturn better than other states is...
View ArticleGet prepared for first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucuses
It happens every four years. Iowa voters meet in churches, schools, even living rooms, to be part of the first-in-the-nation stop for U.S. presidential hopefuls. This initial test in the presidential...
View ArticleHuman Resources – week of March 30, 2015
SF 329 – Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine in Hospitals & Long-Term Care Settings HF 468 – Mental Health Advocates FLOOR ACTION: SF 329 directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt administrative...
View ArticleJudiciary – week of March 30, 2015
SF 427 – Suppressors HF 227 – Strip Searches in Jails or Municipal Holding Facilities HF 258 – Sexual Misconduct with Offenders HF 299 – Loess Hills HF 447 – Wireless Communications Providers Providing...
View ArticleLocal Government – week of March 30, 2015
SF 167 –County official severance pay ban FLOOR ACTION: SF 167 prohibits county elected official severance pay. [3/31: 50-0]
View ArticleNatural Resources – week of March 30, 2015
HF 467 – Reducing penalty for failure to report harvest of deer or wild turkey HF 544 – Establishing plasma gasification as a preferred waste management practice HF 578 – Observations of Department of...
View ArticleState Government – week of March 30, 2015
HF 146 – Prohibited Gambling Activities HF 506 – Absentee Ballots COMMITTEE ACTION: HF 146 makes changes concerning prohibited activities and penalties for gambling games on excursion gambling boats...
View ArticleTransportation – week of March 30, 2015
SF 424 – Bicycle lights after dark FLOOR ACTION: SF 424 provides that a bicycle must have a rear lighted lamp from sunset to sunrise. Under current law, a bicycle must have a front lighted lamp and...
View ArticleVeterans Affairs – week of March 30, 2015
HF 414 – Disclosure requirements for private providers of veterans benefits, services COMMITTEE ACTION: HF 414 requires a person who provides veterans benefits services to give a written disclosure...
View ArticleWays & Means – week of March 30, 2015
SF 479 – Determination of Iowa corporate income tax for broadcasters SF 480 – Local property tax abatement for rehabilitation of nuisance buildings SF 482 – Social and Charitable Gambling SF 483 –...
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