Bill Watch: Your legislators dealt with 178 of these this past week

Iowa CapitolBob Eschliman
Editor

 

Despite a self-imposed moratorium on bill filings by individual legislators after the fourth week of the session, there were 178 new bills offered in the General Assembly in the past week. The total for the 2015 session is now up to 751 (and growing).

To read individual bills, click their links below:

 

House File 147 – an act to require GMO labeling on food products sold in Iowa.

House File 148 – an act to establish a $10 million appropriation for the next four fiscal years from the General Fund to the Unsewered Community Revolving Loan Fund.

House File 149 – an act to require rate-regulated utilities to establish “solar energy banks” to benefit customers who qualify for low-income energy assistance programs.

House File 150 – a companion bill to Senate File 40.

House File 151 – an act to require health insurance coverage for three-dimensional mammography.

House File 152 – an act to increase the fines and penalties associated with motor vehicle violations that result in death, and to allow for the imposition of community service in lieu of fine.

House File 153 – an act to amend the petition process when a minor is alleged to have committed a delinquent act that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult.

House File 154 – an act to allow bicyclists to make right-turn hand and arm signals from the right side.

House File 155 – an act to prohibit driving in the far left lane of a divided highway at a speed of 10 mph or more below the posted speed limit when another vehicle in that lane is about to overtake the vehicle, unless the driver is about to execute a left turn.

House File 156 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 38.

House File 157 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 32.

House File 158 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 30.

House File 159 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 44.

House File 160 – an act to amend the designation process and prioritization of funding for Access Iowa Highways.

House File 161 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 25.

House File 162 – an act to add plasma gasification as one of the preferred methods of pollution prevention measures used by waste management organizations.

House File 163 – an act to establish a $1 million annual appropriation to the Food Bank of Iowa for the emergency food program.

House File 164 – an act to require the addition of a representative from AFSCME Iowa Council 61, selected by the labor union, to the board of directors of every judicial district department of correctional services as a non-voting member, and to increase the number of positions on the executive committee of those boards by one.

House File 165 – an act to allow prizes to be awarded to participants in video game tournaments.

House File 166 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 40.

House File 167 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 70, and a companion bill to Senate File 122.

House File 168 – an act to exclude show animals enrolled as 4-H or FFA projects from being counted toward an animal feeding operation’s maximum capacity.

House File 169 – a companion bill to Senate File 82.

House File 170 – an act to require an interagency review of housing of elderly people who are sexually aggressive or combative who have unmet geropsychiatric needs.

House File 171 – an act to require mammogram reports notify patients if they have dense breast tissue that may make it difficult to detect breast cancer.

House File 172 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 52.

House File 173 – an act to make supplemental appropriations of $220,000 and $150,000, respectively, to the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Iowa Department of Aging’s Office of Substitute Decision Maker for FY 2016 (next fiscal year beginning July 1).

House File 174 – an act to make a supplemental appropriation of $1 million to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for FY 2015 (current fiscal year ending June 30).

House File 175 – an act to require the administration of a civics examination as a condition of high school graduation.

House File 176 – an act to establish a Twice-Exceptional Student Task Force.

House File 177 – an act to amend the Child Care Assistance Program eligibility and waiting list criteria.

House File 178 – an act to require an interagency review of housing of elderly people who are sexually aggressive or combative who have unmet geropsychiatric needs.

House File 179 – an act to establish a Long-Term Care Committee.

House File 180 – an act to establish an evidence-based depression screening and treatment program for older Iowans.

House File 181 – an act to increase the penalties for invasion of privacy.

House File 182 – an act to establish a family court within the Iowa Judicial Branch.

House File 183 – an act to create the crime of invasion of privacy by trespassing.

House File 184 – an act to amend the provisions related to elder abuse by financial exploitation.

House File 185 – an act to require the Iowa Department of Justice to administer any federal grants awarded to provide housing for victims of human trafficking.

House File 186 – an act to require ignition interlock devices be installed for all first-time OWI offenders.

House File 187 – an act requiring an interagency review to identify and address barriers to community living for elders and individuals who are disabled.

House File 188 – an act to require midwife licensure in Iowa.

House File 189 – an act to waive hunter safety and ethics education requirements for Iowa residents who are active duty military personnel, or who are honorably discharged veterans.

House File 190 – an act to provide for an exemption from state individual income tax for certain tuition and related expenses of post-secondary education.

House File 191 – an act to provide an individual income tax credit equal to a percentage of the federal American Opportunity Tax Credit.

House File 192 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 29.

House File 193 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 83.

House File 194 – a successor bill to House Study Bill 21.

House File 195 – an act to amend provisions related to revitalization areas and tax exemptions approved by cities and counties.

House File 196 – an act to eliminate provisions that allow for license denial, revocation, or suspension for those who have defaulted on an obligation owed to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.

House File 197 – an act to allow an adult adopted person access to his or her original birth certificate.

House File 198 – an act to amend provisions related to Medicaid special needs trusts.

House File 199 – an act to reprioritize and increase expenditures from the E911 Emergency Communications Fund, and requiring excess funds to be used for public awareness and education programs.

House File 200 – an act to permit the placement of epinephrine autoinjectors in schools.

House File 201 – a companion bill to Senate File 19.

House File 202 – a successor to House Study Bill 45.

House File 203 – a successor to House Study Bill 75.

House File 204 – a successor to House File 97.

House File 205 – a successor to House Study Bill 5.

House File 206 – a successor to House Study Bill 49.

House File 207 – an act to increase the minimum number of instruction hours required for qualified programs under the statewide preschool program.

House File 208 – an act to add residential zoned properties to types of properties that may be added to self-supported municipal improvement districts, and allowing residential properties to be added to existing SSMIDs.

House Joint Resolution 5 – an act to amend the Constitution of Iowa to allow for a one-half percent sales tax to provide funding for the Road Use Tax Fund.

House Joint Resolution 6 – a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Iowa to require term limits for members of the Iowa General Assembly.

House Resolution 9 – a resolution recognizing February as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month.

House Study Bill 105 – an act to expand the criteria for becoming certified as a shorthand reporter (court reporter) in Iowa.

House Study Bill 106 – an act to amend the confidentiality of certain juvenile court records.

House Study Bill 107 – an act to eliminate the element of specific intent from the criminal offense of assault.

House Study Bill 108 – an act to require the Iowa Board of Regents to comply with the Iowa Construction Bidding Procedures Act.

House Study Bill 109 – an act to amend the manner in which one may be fined for improper use of a disabled person’s parking permit.

House Study Bill 110 – an act to exempt promotional play games from the state wagering game tax, and to provide for a wagering game tax credit to be administered by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

House Study Bill 111 – an act to create a Manufactured Housing Program Fund.

House Study Bill 112 – an act to provide a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of theft of crop or livestock.

House Study Bill 113 – an act to amend government employee accountability and employment practices to provide greater transparency.

House Study Bill 114 – an act to require certain disclosures from private businesses that offer veterans benefits services.

House Study Bill 115 – an act to require county boards of supervisors to be responsible for payment for medical care provided to prisoners in county jails and municipal holding facilities.

House Study Bill 116 – an act to reduce the minimum alcohol concentration that may be considered a violation of private companies’ alcohol testing policies.

House Study Bill 117 – an act to regulate transportation network companies, such as Uber, that operate in Iowa.

House Study Bill 118 – an act to modify provisions of Iowa Code relating to the prohibition on cross-subsidizing gas and electric services via public utility rates.

House Study Bill 119 – an act to allow a potential buyer of a non-public building to have radon testing conducted without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

House Study Bill 120 – an act to regulate the sale of portable electronics insurance.

House Study Bill 121 – an act to expand the definition of a public utility as it relates to provisions governing public utility crossings of railroad rights-of-way.

House Study Bill 122 – an act to establish the Iowa Next Program as proposed by Gov. Branstad.

House Study Bill 123 – an act to amend the definition of mobile home parks as they relate to property taxes and residential landlord and tenant laws, and to amend the definition of mobile home space.

House Study Bill 124 – an act to amend government employee accountability and employment practices to provide greater transparency.

House Study Bill 125 – an act to require the Iowa Department of Human Services to provide copies of all child abuse assessments and family assessment reports to the juvenile court and county attorney with jurisdiction, regardless of whether or not Child In Need of Assistance (ChINA) petitions have been requested.

House Study Bill 126 – an act to amend numerous provisions relating to family support programs, including child support and establishment of paternity.

House Study Bill 127 – an act to amend evidentiary procedures in civil negligence cases in which seat belts and/or child restraint systems are not used.

House Study Bill 128 – an act to add community-based correctional facilities to those covered by inmate contraband and electronic contraband (cell phones) prohibitions.

House Study Bill 129 – an act to amend funding and regulatory provisions for the Iowa Department of Transportation, including a 10-cent increase in the state motor fuel excise taxes.

House Study Bill 130 – an act to regulate transportation network companies and participating drivers.

House Study Bill 131 – an act to allow the use of Physical Plant and Equipment Levy funds to be used for the repair of equipment purchased with PPEL funds.

Senate File 145 – an act to require the addition of a representative from AFSCME Iowa Council 61, selected by the labor union, to the board of directors of every judicial district department of correctional services as a non-voting member, and to increase the number of positions on the executive committee of those boards by one.

Senate File 146 – an act to direct the Iowa Department of Justice to conduct outreach, awareness, and training programs with regard to human trafficking in Iowa.

Senate File 147 – an act to require the Iowa Utilities Board to investigate the use of “low-impact marking options” for underground facility location services.

Senate File 148 – the Iowa Fourth Amendment Protection Act to prohibit state, county, and local agencies from assisting federal agencies in the collection of data and metadata.

Senate File 149 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1024.

Senate File 150 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1088.

Senate File 151 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1022.

Senate File 152 – an act to require that the prior owner be given the first opportunity to repurchase property obtained through an eminent domain condemnation process and not used for the state purpose of the condemnation.

Senate File 153 – an act to make a number of transfers and appropriations related to state and local government finances.

Senate File 154 – an act to allow open enrollment for students to receive instruction primarily over the Internet.

Senate File 155 – an act to exclude from the illuminated rear license plate requirements any vehicle used to transport construction materials and equipment to and from construction projects.

Senate File 156 – an act to create an interagency workgroup to investigate and address barrier to community living for elders and people with disabilities.

Senate File 157 – an act to direct the Iowa Department of Education to create a searchable database for lesson plans related to Iowa Core standards.

Senate File 158 – an act to provide for the issuance of special disabled veteran license plates for qualifying veterans who would also qualify for a disabled person’s parking permit.

Senate File 159 – an act to prohibit vehicles from running while unattended without a parking break engaged and wheels turned away from the travel portion of the road.

Senate File 160 – an act to establish a Long-Term Care Committee.

Senate File 161 – an act to provide additional weighting for students who are identified as Low-English Proficient and are enrolled in the statewide preschool for 4-year-olds.

Senate File 162 – an act to establish the School Climate Technical Assistance Office within the Iowa Department of Education, and the School Climate and Bullying Advisory Committee, to enhance statewide school climate and bullying prevention.

Senate File 163 – an act to allow hospitals to commission their own peace officers.

Senate File 164 – a successor bill to Senate File 19.

Senate File 165 – a successor bill to Senate File 26.

Senate File 166 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1068.

Senate File 167 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1084.

Senate File 168 – an act to regulate non-agricultural animal breeding businesses in Iowa.

Senate File 169 – an act to require the Iowa Department on Aging to create an evidence-based depression screening and treatment program for older Iowans to be administered by area agencies on aging.

Senate File 170 – an act to require the Iowa Board of Regents to comply with the Iowa Construction Bidding Procedures Act.

Senate File 171 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1140.

Senate File 172 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1141.

Senate File 173 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1142.

Senate File 174 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1143.

Senate File 175 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1144.

Senate File 176 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1145.

Senate File 177 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1012.

Senate File 178 – a successor bill to Senate File 21.

Senate File 179 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1011.

Senate File 180 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1090.

Senate File 181 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1003.

Senate File 182 – an act to spread out Iowa Opportunity Scholarship payments over four semesters instead of two.

Senate File 183 – an act to require proof of identification and proof of residence before registering to vote or to cast a ballot in an election.

Senate File 184 – an act to amend the upper limit of claims in cases under the jurisdiction of small claims courts in Iowa.

Senate File 185 – an act to allow reserve peace officers who are approved by the appropriate governing body and certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council to carry weapons in the line of duty shall be issued nonprofessional permits to carry weapons.

Senate File 186 – an act to prohibit the Iowa Finance Authority from allowing a developer fee of more than 10 percent in qualified allocation plans adopted for federal low-income housing credits.

Senate File 187 – an act for the five-year phasing in of a complete exemption of retirement income from state income tax.

Senate File 188 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1126.

Senate File 189 – an act to amend the eligibility criteria for the disabled veteran homestead tax credit.

Senate File 190 – an act to allow court stays of proceeding if it is deemed a court action is frivolous and the commencing party has unsuccessfully prosecuted three or more actions in the preceding five-year period.

Senate File 191 – an act to require the Iowa Department of Education to hire a full-time staff member or consultant for Talented And Gifted programs.

Senate File 192 – an act to establish a voucher system for residents of the Iowa Veterans Home.

Senate File 193 – an act to allow cities to establish promotion areas and impose a local lodging fee in those areas.

Senate File 194 – an act to repeal the sunset date for the one-cent Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) sales tax.

Senate File 195 – an act to amend the designation process and prioritization of funding for Access Iowa Highways.

Senate File 196 – an act to allow a person convicted of a first-time school bus safety violation to participate in a driver improvement program in lieu of driver’s license suspension.

Senate File 197 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1125, and a companion bill to House File 131.

Senate File 198 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1060.

Senate File 199 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1064.

Senate File 200 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1016.

Senate File 201 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1002.

Senate File 202 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1094.

Senate File 203 – a successor bill to Senate Study Bill 1097.

Senate File 204 – an act to allow the use of Physical Plant and Equipment Levy funds to be used for the repair of equipment purchased with PPEL funds.

Senate File 205 – a successor bill to Senate File 80.

Senate File 206 – a successor bill to Senate File 68.

Senate File 207 – an act to allow mental health treatment services to be provided from a bordering state for Iowans who receive treatment and services through regions or counties.

Senate Resolution 5 – a resolution supporting an “enhanced trading relationship” between Iowa and Cuba.

Senate Resolution 6 – a resolution supporting an “enhanced trading relationship” between Iowa and Cuba.

Senate Resolution 7 – a resolution recognizing February as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month.

Senate Study Bill 1147 – an act to provide that it is the State of Iowa’s policy to provide every state worker with a safe workplace, free from workplace violence.

Senate Study Bill 1148 – an act to amend the confidentiality of certain juvenile court records.

Senate Study Bill 1149 – an act proposed by Gov. Branstad relating to domestic abuse and other offenses involving domestic relationships.

Senate Study Bill 1150 – an act to provide for licensure of anesthesiologist assistants in Iowa.

Senate Study Bill 1151 – an act to phase-in a $1.50 per hour increase in the state minimum wage.

Senate Study Bill 1152 – an act to allow electronic voter registration.

Senate Study Bill 1153 – an act to add a representative of local emergency management coordinators and a representative of emergency medical service providers to the statewide Interoperable Communications System Board, adding two permanent positions to the board.

Senate Study Bill 1154 – an act to require county boards of supervisors to be responsible for payment for medical care provided to prisoners in county jails and municipal holding facilities.

Senate Study Bill 1155 – an act to allow a potential buyer of a non-public building to have radon testing conducted without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

Senate Study Bill 1156 – an act to regulate the sale of portable electronics insurance.

Senate Study Bill 1157 – an act exempt Internet Protocol and Voice-Over Internet services from state, county, or local regulation.

Senate Study Bill 1158 – an act to require the Iowa Board of Regents to comply with the Iowa Construction Bidding Procedures Act.

Senate Study Bill 1159 – an act to extend the penalties for adults convicted of underage possession of alcohol to minors who are convicted of the same offense in adult court and are not transferred to juvenile court jurisdiction.

Senate Study Bill 1160 – an act to amend Iowa Code regarding employees who are exempt from Iowa worker’s compensation coverage.

Senate Study Bill 1161 – an act to amend the definitions of sex act and sexual activity as they relate to the Iowa Criminal Code.

Senate Study Bill 1162 – an act to limit adult wards’ guardians’ ability to restrict the adult wards’ communication, interaction, or visitation with people with whom they have expressed a desire to communicate, interact, or visit. Upon passage, such restrictions may only be made with a court order.

Senate Study Bill 1163 – an act to make any peace officer’s communications with a peer support counselor privileged, unless authorized for testimony by the officer.

Senate Study Bill 1164 – an act to amend the authorities of micro-distilleries and micro-distilled spirits manufacturers, and to apply dramshop liability insurance requirements to certain native wine and micr-distilled spirits permittees.

Senate Study Bill 1165 – an act to require, rather than authorize, medical examiners, hospitals, and licensed or certified health care professionals to provide health records and autopsy reports upon request of an organ procurement organization.

Senate Study Bill 1166 – an act requiring the posting of a notice regarding the effects of alcohol during pregnancy on the licensed premises of liquor control, beer, and wine licenses or permits.

Senate Study Bill 1167 – an act to establish a Health Workforce Center.

Senate Study Bill 1168 – an act to amend funding and regulatory provisions for the Iowa Department of Transportation, including a 10-cent increase in the state motor fuel excise taxes.

Senate Study Bill 1169 – an act to eliminate the restriction on members of county agricultural extension councils from engaging in the political process (i.e. lobbying).

Senate Study Bill 1170 – an act to allow for the creation of first-time homebuyer savings accounts in Iowa with individual income tax exemptions.

Senate Study Bill 1171 – an act to allow Class C liquor permittees to allow customers to remove refillable containers of beer for consumption off premises that are refilled and sealed by the permittees.