&FIRSTNAME;

With the beginning of the state’s 2011 fiscal year on July 1, Iowans should be aware of several new laws approved during the 2010 legislative session that could impact their lives. Some of the highlights include:

Small Businesses – In an effort to help small businesses expand and create jobs, the Legislature refocused state economic development initiatives from Wall Street companies to Main Street businesses. More small businesses developing new technologies will be eligible for more state assistance, the new Save Our Small Business Fund will provide loans from $2,500 to $50,000 to small businesses that can’t access capital, more businesses will qualify for low interest loans from the Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund, and technical support for small businesses will remain available in every corner of Iowa at small business development centers, www.iowasbdc.org.

Public Safety – Iowa roads will be safer with a new ban on text messaging while driving for adults and a ban on all electronic devices for drivers under 18. Children under 18 will also be required to wear a seat belt at all times, including the back seat. New protections for domestic abuse victims will also improve public safety by keeping guns out of the hands of abusers and a new child abuse provision will protect kids from being forced to view obscene materials. Law enforcement officials will be notified when individuals with an arrest warrant or pending charges are released if he/she was hospitalized for a mental impairment.

Insurance Company Accountability – Insurance companies are banned from discriminating against Iowans based on genetic testing and are required to pay for routine care of cancer patients who are also participating in cancer clinical trials. Insurance companies will also have to give Iowans more notice before rate increases and provide justification for high premium increases. Flood Prevention & Planning – New watershed management planning will improve coordination among cities, counties, and rural areas to prevent future flooding and improve water quality. New smart growth planning principles like sustainable design and energy efficiency were also adopted this year to encourage local governments to better prepare for future growth.

A few other laws starting on July 1 include benefits for military spouses force to leave employment due to a military reassignment and new higher weight limits for farmers transporting grain from their farm.



---

New Laws Go Into Effect on July 1

A number of new laws will go into effect on July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year. Several changes were made during the 2010 legislative session that will affect Iowans, including new seat belt requirements for kids in the back seat, a ban on text messaging while driving, and new protections for victims of domestic abuse. Read More

---

Job Growth, Home Sales Show Economic Recovery

In another sign of Iowa’s economic recovery, Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped last month and home sales surged over 20 percent. Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.8% percent in May from 6.9% in April. This is the first drop in Iowa's rate since December.

Indications are that the economy has turned the corner, but Iowans have continued to seek jobs as the unemployment rate has steadily increased since December's 6.5% to April's 6.9%. Read More

---

4,500 More Kids Eligible for Preschool

In another effort to boost student achievement at Iowa’s K-12 schools, 4,500 more four-year olds will have access to quality preschool as a result of the grants school districts will be receiving. This brings the total number of four-year olds attending preschool under this program to an estimated total of 21,354 children in 326 Iowa school districts.

This is the final installment in the four-year old preschool program approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2007. The intent is to provide quality preschool to all Iowa’s eligible four-year old children. Read More

Warning Issued on Synthetic Marijuana