Author: deanfiihr Published: February 26th, 2010
(Thursday, February 18 to Wednesday, February 24)
HF 2380 Farm Tenancies. A farm tenant may take any part of the aboveground part of a harvested crop (e.g., stover) until the farm tenancy terminates, unless the parties to the lease provide otherwise in writing. (passed Senate 50-0) to Governor
SF 2248 NPDES Permit Requirements from EPA. Addresses two issues that the U.S. EPA said needed to be changed to comply with federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program authorization. The bill addresses conflict of interest provisions and NPDES permit requirements. (passed House 94-0) to Governor
SF 2299 Grain Indemnity Fund Assessment Fees for Industry. Changes the way indemnity assessment fees, which are deposited into the grain indemnity fund, are charged to the grain industry (not producers) when the fund is in an assessment mode (required if the fund goes below $3 million, and waived when the fund reaches $8 million). The last time the fund was in assessment mode was 1988. (passed House 93-0) to Governor
SF 2151 FY 2010 Supplemental and DHS Funding Clean-up. SF 2151 adjusts a number of appropriations that were funded from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds and substitutes general fund dollars. The ARRA funds will be used for programs where the funding is not being used to draw-down additional federal dollars. The bill appropriates additional federal funds for the Family Investment Program, transfers additional funding to the Mental Health State Cases Program, and appropriates funds from the Iowa Cares Account to Broadlawns Medical Center. The net change to the general fund and the ARRA fund account is zero. Total other funds appropriated is $12.7 million. (passed House 53-42) to Governor
HF 2075 Coverage of Cancer Trial Routine Care. Requires health insurers to continue to cover routine care for participants in cancer trials. (Signed by Governor) Effective May 1, 2010
HF 2229 Delta Dental Bill. Prohibits dental plan fee schedules from including provision for dental services that are not covered by the plan. (Passed House 93-1) in Senate Commerce
HF 2405 Broadband Grants. Allows certain proprietary information in grant applications to the Iowa Broadband Deployment Governance Board to remain confidential. (Passed House 94-0) in Senate Commerce
HF 2409 IFA Paperwork Reduction. Repeals Iowa Finance Authority requirement that banks file a paper report, as data is available online. (Passed House 94-0) in Senate Commerce
SF 2191 Banking Division Bill. Omnibus bill making various noncontroversial changes in matters under the purview of the Banking Division. (Passed House 91-0) Sent to Governor
SF 2313 Municipal Utility Joint Financing. Technical cleanup of various statutes regarding municipal utilities to enter into agreements with other entities to jointly finance generation or transmission facilities. (Passed House 91-0) Sent to Governor
HF 2076 Iowa Innovation Council. Combines three separate advisory councils in targeted industries into one Iowa Innovation Council. The council would review economic development programs, collaborate relationships, and coordinate state government applications for federal funds for targeted industries. Requires additional items to be reported on by the Commercialization Division including this new council. The Senate amendment would make additional items to be reported on by the council. (Passed Senate 46-0) On House Floor with Senate amendment.
HF 2376 Severance Agreement Between Two Cities. Creates a process in which a property owner can petition for severance from one city and annexation by another. Both cities must approve the change, with the final decision by the city development board. The agreement may include the equitable distribution of property taxes between the two cities. This bill provides landowners and cities with a clear process for severance in certain cases. The agreement would have conditions, including that an island would not be created. (Passed the Senate 35-11) to the Governor.
HF 2488 Young Adult Representation on Boards and Commissions. All boards, commissions, committees, and councils are to the extent practicable, have at least one member of the board who is at least 18 and younger than 35. (Passed House 93-2) to Senate Economic Growth.
SF 2076 Technical Changes to DED Programs and Board. Makes technical changes to the High Quality Jobs tax incentives and the report required by the Board of Regents on the Values Fund. Under the Iowa Student Intern Program, an Iowa high school graduate who attends a college in another state would qualify. The bill would stagger the terms for the DED board members. Signed by the Governor, effective upon enactment.
HF 2432 Recruitment of Minority Teachers. Requires the Department of Education and Area Education Agencies (AEA) to conduct a study of the opportunities for recruiting racial and ethnic minority teachers from outside the state. The study is to examine the impact of requiring racial and ethnic minority teachers in communities whose population is less than five percent racial and ethnic minority citizens and communities whose population is greater than five percent. The report is due to the General Assembly by January 10, 2011. (passed House 93 – 0) to Senate
HF 2440 Market Factor Incentives. Establishes market factor teacher incentives for school district attendance centers located in areas that have high rates of crime. (passed House 91 – 0) to Senate
SF 2288 Department of Education. Technical cleanup bill. (passed Senate 37 – 13) to House – passed on file
SF 2289 Deaccreditation of a School District. Allows the director of the Department of Education to order the positive fund balances held by a deaccredited school district to be transferred to the school’s general fund if the general fund has a negative balance. (passed Senate 50 – 0) to House Education Committee
SF 2291 Special Education Rights. Updates the Code to address special education services and makes changes to align Iowa law with the federal law. (passed House 95 – 0) to Governor
HF 2418 Periodic Review of Air Quality Monitors. Requires the DNR to review the location of air quality monitors and create procedures to maintain attainment of federal air quality standards. (passed House 92-2) to Senate
HF 2437 Septic System Inspection Clarifications. Clarifies requirements of when a septic system inspection is required and expands exclusions to situations that are similar or logically connected to exclusions currently in code. (passed House 96-0) to Senate
HF 2496 Recycling Initiatives. Creates a green advisory committee to create recommendations for a green certification program for minimum requirements for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. The green advisory committee will also make recommendations for the development and implementation of a recycling vendor and resource green list and the development of a statewide communication and outreach educational program for all recycling sectors. (passed House 89-6) to Senate
HF 2144 Public Health Omnibus Bill. This is the Department of Public Health’s Omnibus bill. The bill makes changes dealing with public health disaster school closings, school dental screenings, and other provisions. (passed House 95-0) to Senate
HF 2402 Stroke Triage System and Registry Plan. Requires the Iowa Department of Public Health, in cooperation with the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative and the American Heart Association, to develop a plan to implement a stroke triage system and registry. The plan is due by January 15, 2011. (passed House 95-0) to Senate
HF 2403 Uniform Controlled Substance Act. Updates the state uniform controlled substance act with federal guidelines. (passed House 94-0) to Senate
SF 117 Bicycle Bill. Reiterates the duties of bicycles on roadways. Establishes a scheduled fine of $250 for actions against a bicyclist. When passing bicyclists, a motor vehicle must maintain a minimum distance of five feet from the bicyclist. (passed Committee 11-8) to House Calendar
SF 2202 Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Updates state code with the federal Americans with Disability Act. This includes updating replacing “persons with physical disabilities” with “persons with disabilities,” and specifications for the construction of ramps and curb cuts. (passed House 94-0) to Governor
HF 2253 Uniform Disclaimer of Property. Amends Iowa code regarding tax qualified disclaimers or transfers of property and conforms Iowa law to federal law. (passed Senate 46-0) to Governor
HF 2282 Judgment Liens on Homesteads. Specifies a judgment lien does not attach to a homestead, except under certain circumstances. (passed Senate 50-0) to Governor
HF 2306 Judicial Branch Records. Clarifies open records requirements for Judicial Records and protects personal information in judicial records. (passed House 95-0) to Senate
HF 2307 Medicaid Restitution in Criminal Cases. Includes Medicaid expenses paid for a crime victim in the list of entities that may receive restitution from a criminal offender. (passed House 93-0) to Senate
HF 2438 Attempted Enticement of a Minor. Changes the penalty for attempted enticement of a minor to the same as actual enticement. The penalty for attempted enticement is a felony under the bill. (passed House 93-0) to Senate
HF 2453 Posthumously Conceived Children. Treats a child that is born of married parents as the legitimate child of both parents if the child is conceived and born after the death of one of the parents. (passed House 93-1) to Senate
HF 2478 Limited Liability Company Regulations. Amends current code regulations on limited liability companies under Code Chapter 489. (passed House 95-0) to Senate
SF 431 OWI Rewrite. Procedural rewrite from the Criminal Code Reorganization Interim for operating-while-intoxicated offenses. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
SF 2237 Nonsubstantive Code Corrections. Makes nonsubstantive and noncontroversial code corrections to the Iowa Code. (passed House 93-0) to Governor
SF 2300 Landlord Service of Notice Requirements. Makes changes to service of notice requirements for landlords and tenants. The bill is in response to the Iowa Supreme Court decision in War Eagle Village Apartments v. Plummer. (passed House 94-0) to Governor
SF 2340 Substantive Code Corrections. Makes substantive code corrections to the Iowa Code. (passed House 94-0) to Governor
Justice Systems Budget
LSB 5093 Judicial Branch Budget Bill. Appropriates a total of $150 million to the Judicial Branch for operations and salaries. That total includes $1.5 million for jury and witness fund. (passed Committee 8-6) to House Appropriations Committee.
SF 2181 Workforce Development Department Bill. The bill makes technical corrections to OSHA, a report on elevators, boilers, and child labor. It replaces obsolete provisions concerning the adoption of OSHA standards with contemporary rule making standards. Per recommendations of the Boiler Pressure Vessel Board, it moves an inspection schedule under the boiler inspection law, and it allows the board to write rules governing conversion power boilers to low-pressure boilers. It updates and moves a provision governing boilers manufactured without an inspection plate. It removes requirements for both youth migrant labor permits, and regular youth labor permits that require applicants under 14 to obtain a certificate from a registered nurse or physician. (Passed House 94-0) to Governor.
SF 2279 Voluntary Shared Work Plans. A business participating in the Voluntary Shared Work Plan would be allowed to have more than one work plan in a 2-year period. (Passed Senate 46-0) to House Labor.
SF 2270 Workplace Accommodations for Employees to Express Breast Milk. Requires employers to make reasonable efforts to provide an employee private place, other than a toilet stall, for the employee to express breast milk. The break allowed would be paid or unpaid time, and be allowed for up to two years after the birth of the employee’s child. The department of workforce development is required to provide on its internet site, a link to give employers access to information about methods of accommodating employees who express breast milk at work. (Passed Senate 29-15) to House State Government Committee.
HF 2407 Recorder’s Technical Bill. Expands definition of grantee and grantor for indexing purposes so only one index is needed for all real estate transactions. (Passed House 94-0, Passed Senate 50-0) To Governor
SF 2199 Manufactured Housing. Requires manufactured housing retailers to collect the use tax and forward the money to the Iowa department of transportation or the county treasurer so a title can be issued. Also provides for issuing a title that cannot be found. (Passed House 95-0) To Governor
SF 2264 Review of Subdivisions. Closes a loophole in the law that allows city approval for subdivisions developed within two miles of the city by including condominiums in the definition of subdivisions. (Passed Committee 18-3) To House Calendar
HF 2310 Pen-Reared Pheasants. Allows the release of pen-reared pheasants in Iowa on a person’s farm. The birds have to come from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources. (passed House 93-0) on Senate Natural Resources Committee
HF 2458 Restrictions on Mowing Ditches. Updates Iowa’s ditch mowing regulations (both state and county roads). The purpose of the bill is improving habitat to help protect nesting pheasant populations. The bill prohibits mowing within the ditch prior to July 15, except within 200 yards of an inhabited dwelling (this 200 yards is the same regulation that says you cannot shoot a gun within 200 yards of an inhabited dwelling); within one mile of city limits; to promote native species of vegetation or other long-lived and adaptable vegetation; to establish control of damaging insect populations, noxious weeds, and invasive plant species; for visibility and safety reasons; and within rest areas, weigh stations, and wayside parks. After July 15th, they can mow as much of the ditch as they like. There are no penalties attached to this law. (passed House 66-28) on Senate Calendar
HF 2280 Care of Companion Animals. Allows for the Department of Agriculture to inspect, based upon complaints, federally licensed commercial establishments. (passed House 77-22) (passed Senate 41-9) to Governor
HF 2319 DPS Regulating the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Deletes references to “aboveground petroleum storage tanks” an instead uses the term “aboveground flammable and combustible liquids storage tanks.” Extends the number of years that fees for the alarm system installer certification program can be carried over to match the number of years that the certification is good for. (passed Senate 40-9) to Governor
SF 205 Testing Persons on Parole, Probation, or Work Release, for Infectious Disease. Requires persons under the care of a community based corrections district to submit to a test for infectious diseases if they assault someone which results in the exchange of bodily fluid. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HF 2422 Disaster Case Management. Codifies the case management system used in the 2008 floods and tornadoes so it will be available for future disasters. Also creates a task force to establish a case management system for businesses. (Passed House 94-0, Passed Senate 50-0) to Governor
SF 2128 Campaign Finance Reports Filed Electronically. Requires that, effective January 1, 2011, a county statutory political committee and candidates or committees raising a certain threshold of money, as outlined in the bill, are required to file reports electronically. (passed House 95 – 0) to Governor
SF 2161 Bingo Games. Allows any person to conduct bingo games if no entry fee is charged. (passed Senate 50 – 0) to House State Government Committee
SF 2195 Campaign Finance Laws. Makes several changes related to laws administered by the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board including requiring disclosure when an organization is advocating that an individual run for office but the individual has not announced intent to run, adopting rules to define “fair market value” for purposes of campaign property, clarifying that a permanent organization temporarily engaging in political activity is required to disclose its campaign activities when involved in a ballot issue election as well as an election of a candidate, and directing the board to adopt rules prohibiting the owner, etc. of a sham newspaper from promoting the candidacy of any person. (passed House 94 – 0) to Governor
SF 2196 Policy Changes to Election Laws. Makes changes to election laws administered by the Secretary of State. (passed House 92 – 0) to Governor
SF 2218 Eliminates Double Election Boards. Eliminates double election boards and requires the commissioner of election, upon receipt of a petition to use automatic tabulating equipment in certain election. ( passed Committee 15 – 0) to House Calendar
SF 2247 Designation of Gaming Enforcement Officer. Changes the class title designation of a “gaming enforcement officer.” The change is for the official designation only and does not create or modify the existing job classification or duties. (passed Committee 15 – 0) to House Calendar
SF 2323 Gambling licenses. Eliminates the requirement that a new license to conduct gambling games in the same county can be issued only if the new licensee is located at a similarly situated site and operated as a substantially similarly situated facility as any other existing licensed gambling boat or structure in the county. (passed Senate 37 – 11) to House
SF 2355 Apprenticeship requirements. Revises apprenticeship requirements for persons installing fire protection systems. (passed Senate 50 – 0) to House – attached to HF 2491 on House Calendar)
HF 2456 Texting Ban. Drivers will not be allowed to write, send, or read a text message. Not a moving violation, increased penalties if in an accident with serious injury and death. (passed House 65-31) (passed Senate 44-6) back to House
HF 2466 Driver’s Education Teachers. Allows for persons, certified by the Department of Transportation to teach street and highway driving to contribute to one minor accident during a two-year time period, and still be certified to teach street and highway driving. (passed House 94-0) to Senate
HF 2110 Military Spouse Unemployment Benefits. Allows unemployment benefits for an individual who left employment because of the relocation of the individual’s spouse due to a military assignment in another area. Benefits would be paid out of the Unemployment Trust Fund. (passed Senate Veterans Affairs 8-2) to Senate Calendar
HF 2197 Veterans Day Leave for Veterans. Allows all Veterans to have Veterans Day off from work. Each veteran must request the holiday at least 30 days in advance and show proof of being a veteran. The employer determines if the time off is paid or unpaid. (passed Senate Veterans Affairs 6-3) to Senate Calendar
HF 2321 Veteran Services to Incarcerated Veterans. Requires city and county jail personnel to notify a prisoner, within 24 hours, that if a prisoner is a veteran of the US Military who has been discharged within the last five years, the veteran is entitled to a visit from a veterans service officer to determine if veteran services are required or available. (passed House 91-0) to Senate
HF 2406 Promotion of the U.S.S. Iowa. Requires the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to promote and support the preservation of the U.S.S. Iowa as a permanent naval museum. (passed Senate 50-0) to Governor
HF 2414 Service in an Honor Guard Unit. Expands the recognized military veterans units to perform honor guard services on public property to include the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Forces. Currently, only the Iowa National Guard, reserve forces of the United States, and reserve officers training corps are allowed to perform honor guard services on public property. (passed 89-0) to Senate
HF 2454 State Job Opportunities for Disabled Veterans. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Labor to develop programs to inform disabled veterans about federally funded job training opportunities in state government, and develop other job training programs to qualify for federal funding. (passed Senate Veterans Affairs 9-0) to Senate Calendar
Category Uncategorized |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 18th, 2010
(Thursday, February 11 to Wednesday, February 17)
Agriculture
HF 2273 Drainage Districts Bid Thresholds and Security Requirements. Increases the bid threshold for a drainage improvement from $15,000 to $20,000 to reflect the increased cost of doing business. Also, when a company bids a drainage project, it currently must post security of 10% of the amount of bid, not to exceed $10,000. The bill removes the $10,000 maximum and reduces the security cap from 10% to 5%, which is consistent with municipal law. (passed House 98-0) in Senate Agriculture Committee
HF 2380 Farm Tenancies. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by a lessor and farm tenant, a farm tenant may take any part of the aboveground part of a plant associated with a crop, at the time of harvest or after the harvest, until the farm tenancy terminates. Currently, a farm tenancy at will terminates on March 1 following a landlord’s notice, except in the case of a crop-share arrangement, which terminates when the crop is harvested, but not later than December 1 for a corn crop. (passed House 98-0) on Senate Calendar
Appropriations
SF 2151 FY 2010 Supplemental and DHS Funding Clean-up. SF 2151 adjusts a number of appropriations that were funded from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds and substitutes general fund dollars. The ARRA funds will be used for programs where the funding is not being used to draw-down additional federal dollars. The bill appropriates additional federal funds for the Family Investment Program, transfers additional funding to the Mental Health State Cases Program, and appropriates funds from the Iowa Cares Account to Broadlawns Medical Center. The net change to the general fund and the ARRA fund account is zero. Total other funds appropriated is $12.7 million. (passed Committee 14-11) to House Appropriations Calendar
Commerce
HSB 523 Consumer Credit Code. Increases registration fees paid to the Attorney General by makers of consumer credit loans from $10 to $20 and for debt collectors from $10 to $100. All revenue goes to a special fund to cover enforcement costs. (Passed Committee 13-10) to House Calendar
HF 2062 Residential Sprinkler Systems. Requires city councils and county boards of supervisors that adopt a building code to take a separate vote on any provision requiring sprinkler systems in one or two-family homes or buildings under five units. (passed Committee 23-0) to House Calendar
HF 2075 Coverage of Cancer Trial Routine Care. Requires health insurers to continue to cover routine care for participants in cancer trials. (passed Senate 47-0) to Governor
HF 2112 Auto Insurance Glass Repair. Prohibits certain actions by insurers to steer customers toward particular glass repair shops. Also requires the Insurance Commissioner to coordinate a study of the glass repair industry and its procedures. (passed Committee 23-0) to House Calendar
HF 2472 Condominium Meetings. Requires meetings to be open to all members with notice either mailed or delivered seven days in advance or posted 48 hours in advance. (Passed Committee 23-0) on House Calendar
HF 2474 Financial Literacy Program. Establishes the program in the State Treasurer’s Office to promote advantages of personal savings, make presentations to schools and groups, and create incentives and awards to recognize those who make progress. (passed Committee 23-0) on House Calendar
HF 2475 Winter Propane Delivery. Requires winter delivery to any LIHEAP eligible customer who has a $500 cash payment, with 75% for new fuel and 25% for any outstanding bill. (passed Committee 12-11) on House Calendar
SF 2108 Auto Repair Shop Artisan Liens. Creates an exception to a repair shop’s ability to hold a vehicle to force payment of a disputed bill, if the Attorney General decides that the shop violated the auto trade practices law. (Signed by Governor)
Economic Growth
HSB 680 Creation of Consumption Tax Bonding District. Allows the creation of municipal consumption tax bonding districts by a city or county, and allows them to issue bonds to fund economic development projects. The bonds may be secured by a portion of the increased revenues collected in the district. The area must be 400 or more contiguous acres and be entirely within the municipality. At least 90% of the land must be vacant, and no portion of the area suitable for development can also be in an enterprise zone. The project within the district must have a projected capital investment of at least $50 million, generate at least $25 million in annual revenue, and create at least 200 new jobs. (Passed Committee 11-9) to Ways and Means.
HF 2376 Severance Agreement Between Two Cities. Creates a process in which a property owner can petition for severance from one city and annexation by another. Both cities must approve the change, with the final decision by the city development board. The agreement may include the equitable distribution of property taxes between the two cities. This bill provides landowners and cities with a clear process for severance in certain cases. The agreement would have conditions, including that an island would not be created. (Passed the House 99-0) on Senate Floor.
HF 2431 Small Business Entrepreneur Training Assistance Grants. Currently, there is a program that provides grants to microenterprise development organizations, but it is not funded. The bill would provide assistance to these organizations for the purpose of providing training and technical assistance to small business entrepreneurs. It would require an annual report on how the funds were used and the results. Funding for the program would come from a reallocation of dollars within the Values Fund. (Passed Committee 17-2) to Appropriations.
Education
HF 2295 Study of Area Education Agencies. Requires the Department of Education to convene a task force to conduct a study of the current system of area education agencies. Membership of the task force is education stakeholders and consumers. A report is due to the General Assembly by December 15, 2010. (passed House 95 – 0) to Senate
SF 2178 Textbooks and Computers. Expands the definition of textbooks to include laptop computers or other portable personal computing devices that state funds allocated to school districts for textbooks available to accredited nonpublic school pupils. (passed Senate 45 – 3) to House
SJR 2008 Nullify Rules of Board of Education Examiners. Nullifies a rules of the Board of Education Examiners relating to the content of the notice of a complaint. (passed Senate 47 – 0) to House
Human Resources
HF 2183 Local Public Health Governance Act. Provides for the structure, powers, and duties of the local boards of health. The bill also provides an optional process for counties to merge and create a district board of health. (passed Senate 46-0) return to House with Senate Amendment
HF 2283 Background Checks for Child Care Providers. Removes the requirement of a federal background check every four years for child care providers and other individuals subject to the law. The bill now authorizes DHS to adopt rules regarding a national background check for child care providers and all others subject to the check. (passed House 94-0) to Senate
HF 2284 Public Health Technical Bill. Makes technical changes to the Iowa Code regarding State Medical Examiner’s Office and fetal death certification; the Board of Optometry certification at the diagnostic level; the Board of Cosmetology and threading and staffing rations; and the Board of Barbering and temporary permit. (passed House 99-0) to Senate
SF 2117 Pharmaceutical-delivering Contact Lenses. Authorizes certified optometrists to supply pharmaceutical-delivering contact lenses to patients as deemed necessary. (passed House 100-0) to Governor
SF 2149 Background Checks for Certified Nurse Aides. Requires background checks for certified nurse aids prior to training program. (passed House 97-0) to Governor
Judiciary
HF 2126 Solemnizing Marriage. Allows retired supreme court justices, retired judges, and retired judicial magistrates to solemnize marriages in the state. (passed Committee 20-1) to House Calendar
HF 2372 Assault Causing Serious Injury. Amends assault causing serious injury so that an individual that does not intend to inflict serious injury, but who causes serious injury, commits a Class D felony. (passed House 98-0) to Senate Judiciary
HF 2374 Serious Injury Definition. Conforms the definition of serious injury throughout the Iowa Code to the definition of serious injury in Iowa Code Section 702.18. (passed House 98-0) to Senate Judiciary
HF 2377 Probation Extension. Allows a judge to extend a period of probation up to one year, including one year beyond the maximum period allowed by law. (passed House 99-0) to Senate Judiciary
HF 2392 Abuse of a Corpse. Transfers “abuse of corpse” provisions that do not deal with the sexual abuse of a corpse from Iowa Code Section 709 dealing with Sexual Abuse to Iowa Code Section 708 dealing with Assault. (passed House 100-0) to Senate Judiciary
HF 2434 Landlord Service of Notice Requirements. Makes changes to service of notice requirements for landlords and tenants. The bill is in response to the Iowa Supreme Court decision in War Eagle Village Apartments v. Plummer. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
HF 2473 Destruction of Land Surveyor Markers. Expands the definition of criminal mischief in the third degree to include someone that intentionally injures, destroys, disturbs, or removes any marked placed by a licensed land surveyor. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
HF 2477 Mechanics’ Lien. Creates a state construction registry for residential construction property and makes changes to mechanics’ lien requirements. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
HF 2478 Limited Liability Company Regulations. Amends current code regulations on limited liability companies under Code Chapter 489. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
HSB 716 Consumer Approval Transactions. As amended, expresses the intent of the legislature to regulate consumer approval transactions. A consumer approval transaction means a solicitation of a customer away from a regular place of business of the seller or by mail or telephone directed to a customer. (passed Committee 20-1) to House Calendar
Labor
HSB 726 Collective Bargaining, Chapter 20 Technical Changes. Chapter 20 has remained virtually untouched since the law went into effect in 1975, and thus the bill makes technical corrections that are needed in the law, including spelling errors, elimination of redundancies, or updates to reflect current practice. It removes fact finding as a step in the statutory impasse procedures and the legal standard “willfully” in refusing to negotiate in good faith or engage in other prohibited conduct. (Passed Committee 17-0) to House Calendar.
HF 2420 Reasonable Reimbursement. Under current law, employees are allowed to form employee organizations to collectively bargain as their exclusive representative with public employers under Iowa Code Chapter 20, and public employees in Iowa cannot strike. As a result, these employee organizations are required to represent members and non-members alike. HF 2420 establishes an exclusive ability for employee organizations representing executive branch employees to negotiate certain reasonable reimbursements for costs to represent non-members in bargaining negotiations and grievance procedures. These possible reasonable reimbursements are not automatic. They would need to be negotiated with the executive branch public employer and they may or may not occur. (Passed Committee 10-7) to House Calendar.
SF 2181 Workforce Development Department Bill. The bill makes technical corrections to OSHA, a report on elevators, boilers, and child labor. It replaces obsolete provisions concerning the adoption of OSHA standards with contemporary rule making standards. Per recommendations of the Boiler Pressure Vessel Board, it moves an inspection schedule under the boiler inspection law, and it allows the board to write a rule governing conversion power boilers to low-pressure boilers. It updates and moves a provision governing boilers manufactured without an inspection plate. It removes requirements for both youth migrant labor permits, and regular youth labor permits would now be similar by removing a requirement that applicants under 14 must obtain a certificate from a registered nurse or physician. (Passed Senate 48-0) to House Calendar.
SF 2193 Written Notices of Policies to Employees, Including Benefit Changes. All new employees would receive a written or electronic statement of employment agreements and policies by the end of the first week on the job. A statement would be provided of the same to all existing employees when there is a change to the employment agreements or policies. (Passed Senate 28-17) to House Labor Committee.
SF 2286 Mixed Martial Arts Matches Regulated by the Labor Commissioner. Places the regulation of amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) matches and events under the authority of the labor commissioner. A MMA contestant must be at least 18 years old. The labor commissioner could impose civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 per violation for acting as a promoter without a license and issue a cease and desist order to prevent a promoter from holding an unlicensed event or match. (Passed Senate 48-0) to House Calendar
Natural Resources
HF 2017 Requires all canoes and kayaks to be registered, if used on public waters. Currently, those 13 feet or less are exempt. The fee is $12 every three years. The bill came from some paddler groups in Iowa who would like to see additional money for water trails. (passed Committee 12-9) on House Calendar
HF 2293 Ellis Harbor. Allows current houseboat owners at Ellis Harbor, located on the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, to use their current flotation devices if they were in use on or before February 15, 2010. When these flotation devices are replaced, the replacement flotation devices must comply with the rules of the department. The bill also allows current owners to transfer/sell their houseboats to their children or the general public. (passed Committee 21-0) on House Calendar
HF 2310 Pen-Reared Pheasants. Allows the release of pen-reared pheasants in Iowa on a person’s farm. The birds have to come from a hatchery approved by the Department of Natural Resources. (passed Committee 21-0) on House Calendar
HSB 700 Natural Resources Trust Fund Allocations. On the November 2, 2010, election ballot, there will be a question on whether Iowa should constitutionally protect a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, for the purpose of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in Iowa. It is left to the Legislature to establish the parameters for distribution of the funds. HSB 700 establishes those parameters. It is based upon recommendations of the Sustainable Funding for Natural Resource Advisory Committee. The bill is only implemented if the constitutional amendment is ratified. (passed Committee 21-0) on House Calendar
Public Safety
HF 426 Reserve Peace Officer – Accidents in Line of Duty. Adds reserve peace officers to the list of public safety officers that, if involved in an automobile accident while in the line of duty, will not be recorded on the person’s driving record. (passed House 100 – 0) in Senate Judiciary
HF 2280 Care of Companion Animals. Authorizes the Department of Ag to inspect commercial establishments that hold a federal license based upon a complaint filed with the department. (passed House 77 – 22) to Senate
HF 2286 Detention in a Brothel. Strikes the criminal offense of detention in a brothel because brothels are illegal and the offense is covered under kidnapping and human trafficking. (passed House 98 – 0) in Senate Judiciary
HF 2287 Simulated Public Intoxication. Separates the current offenses of public intoxication and simulated public intoxication into two different numbered paragraphs. (passed House 97 – 1) in Senate Judiciary
HF 2288 Cowl Lamps. Strikes the current Code language which does not allow a vehicle to have more than two cowl lamps. These are antique lights on antique vehicles. (passed House 99 – 0) in Senate Judiciary
HF 2319 DPS Regulating the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Deletes references to “aboveground petroleum storage tanks” and instead uses the term “aboveground flammable and combustible liquids storage tanks.” Extends the number of years that fees for the alarm system installer certification program can be carried over to match the number of years that the certification is good for. (passed House 100 – 0) to Senate
Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery
HF 2174 Neighbor Lot Purchase. Allows a city to give neighbors the right of first refusal in obtaining lots purchased by the city with CDBG disaster recovery money. Neighbors must pay fair market value and must keep the lot as green space. (Passed Committee 11-5) to House Calendar
HF 2294 Individual Disaster Assistance. Allows disaster victims to obtain vouchers to purchase goods or services to make repairs, in lieu of submitting receipts to obtain reimbursement. (Passed House 99-0) to Senate
HSB 592 Smart Planning Principles. Establishes a set of smart planning principles that cities and counties may use to reduce the impact of future natural disasters, promote growth, protect natural resources, and safeguard the quality of life for all Iowans. (Passed Committee 16-0) to House Calendar
State Government
SF 2088 Reorganization of State Government. This bill puts in place numerous changes in state government designed to increase efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars. Some of these include consolidating state purchasing and information technology, eliminating and consolidating boards and commission, and reducing the number of FTE’s throughout state government. (amended and passed House 98 – 0) (to Senate)
SF 2128 Campaign Finance Reports to be Filed Electronically. Requires that, effective January 1, 2011, a county statutory political committee and candidates or committees raising a certain threshold of money, as outlined in the bill, are required to file reports electronically. (passed Senate 46 – 0) to House (same as HF 2443 on House calendar)
SF 2194 Elections Laws. Make technical changes to the election laws administered by the Secretary of State. (passed Senate 48 – 0) to House (same as HSB 668 on House Calendar)
SF 2195 Campaign Finance Requirements. Makes several changes in laws administered by the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board including requiring disclosure when an organization is advocating that an individual run for office but the individual has not announced intent to run, adopting rules to define “fair market value” for purposes of campaign property, clarifying that a permanent organization temporarily engaging in political activity is required to disclose its campaign activities when involved in a ballot issue election as well as an election of a candidate, and directing the board to adopt rules prohibiting the owner, etc. of a sham newspaper from promoting the candidacy of any person. (passed Senate 48 – 0) to House (same as HF 2441 on House calendar)
SF 2215 Use of Genetic Information. Prohibits a person from obtaining genetic information or samples for genetic testing from an individual without first obtaining that person’s informed written consent. Exceptions are made in the bill. (passed Senate 48 – 0) to House
SF 2218 Eliminates Double Election Boards. Eliminates double election boards and required the commissioner of elections, upon petition, to use automatic tabulating equipment in certain elections. (passed Senate 37 – 11) to House
SF 2247 Designation of Gaming Officer. Changes the class title designation of a “gaming enforcement officer.” The change is for the official designation only and does not create or modify the existing job classification or duties. (passed Senate 48 – 0) (House State Government Committee)
Transportation
SF 2146 Payment for Warranty Work by an Auto Dealer. Does not allow a motor vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or importer to reduce the amount of compensation, or to disallow the claim for warranty work done by the dealer, if it is submitted within 60 days from the date that work was completed. (passed House 100 – 0) to Governor
Veterans Affairs
HF 2384 Notification of Tax Assistance for Service Members. Requires the Iowa National Guard to work with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to notify service members to contact the Iowa Department of Revenue regarding current or possible tax issues while deployed. Notification must occur prior to and after deployment. (passed House 100-0) to Senate
HSB 724 Notification of Recent Discharge. Requires Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs to provide copies of discharge documents of returning veterans to the county commissions of veterans affairs (passed Committee 16-0) to House Floor
Ways and Means
HF 816 Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) Subpoenas: Gives IDR the authority to subpoena utility records in order to locate persons who owe state taxes or have other outstanding debt owed to a state agency that has been turned over to IDR for collection. This is similar to authority previously given to the Child Support Recovery Unit. (Passed Committee 23-0) to House Calendar
Tags: Bill Tracking, iowa house bills, Week 6
Category 2010 Session Information, Bill Summary, Education, Environment, Statehouse News, Uncategorized |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 11th, 2010
Opening Remarks from State Rep. Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City) on SF 2088, state government reorganization:
“Senate File 2088 is our long awaited state government reorganization bill. The bill passed the House State Government Committee last week on a vote of 20-1. It will save the tax payers of Iowa over 100 million dollars. It is the first substantial reorganization effort in nearly 25 years. The provisions in the bill will result in a leaner more efficient state government. We accomplish this through consolidating state purchasing and information technology, eliminating and consolidating boards and commissions, and reducing the number of FTE’s throughout state government.
The ideas for these efficiencies came from every corner of the state. We heard from state workers, department heads, supervisors, legislators and most importantly the people of Iowa. We also listened to each other and incorporated many of the suggestions of the minority party in our efforts to save state dollars. The message from everyone was clear; we must eliminate waste, provide services more efficiently, and reduce the size of state government.
By utilizing new technologies, the state of Iowa can save money this year, and every year that follows. Technology is a common sense solution to making government more responsive and efficient.
In this new decade, the State of Iowa should take a page from the business community and utilize the purchasing power of all of its departments. Every year the state purchases thousands of goods and services; from office supplies to pick-up trucks, asphalt for our roads and food for our needy families – we can continue to make these purchases, and save money while we do it. This bill requires departments and state agencies to work together to save the taxpayers money. We will also be calling upon the regents to collaborate and assist by utilizing their purchasing power when possible and assisting the state in our bidding processes.
Reorganizing dozens of departments and state agencies and eliminating waste doesn’t come easily but the results will be noticed by every Iowan throughout the state.
From cost-saving measures to making state government more efficient, to improving the services that the state offers – this bill is a major step forward. By reorganizing state government, we have eliminated redundancies, saved taxpayer dollars and helped Iowa do more with less.
The bill makes Iowa stronger and more responsive to its people and most importantly it eliminates waste and saves millions of dollars.”
Category 2010 Session Information, Budget, Uncategorized |
