Wednesday May 23rd 2012

Posts Tagged ‘Bill Tracking’

Bill Tracking: Week 6

(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

Bill Tracking: Week 4, 2010

Thursday, January 28 – Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Agriculture
HF 558 Farm Tenancies. As amended by the House Agriculture Committee, the bill says that 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 Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
HF 763 Watershed Improvement Review Board Administrative Support. Allows the Water-shed Improvement Review Board to authorize the Soil Conservation Division to use in-terest on the moneys in the fund to provide administrative support to the board (mileage, food, etc.) (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar
SF 404 Local Food and Farm Plan. The Senate created a new Local Food and Farm Task Force to prepare a local food and farm plan. The House Agriculture Committee amended the bill and requires the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to prepare a local food and farm plan containing policy and funding recommendations for supporting and expanding local food systems and for assessing and overcoming obstacles necessary to increase locally grown food production. The Leopold Center is to submit the plan to the general assembly by January 10, 2011. The plan must include recommendations for short-term and long-term solutions, including but not limited to the enactment of legisla-tion. (passed Committee 19-2) to House Calendar

Commerce
HF 2111
Unemployment Tax Collection. Requires Secretary of State to notify the Department of Workforce Development prior to approving a filing for reinstatement by a dissolved com-pany, to ensure any back taxes are paid. (passed House 95-0) Senate Commerce
HF 2131 Truth In Lending Act. Updates Iowa Consumer Credit Code references to the Federal Truth in Lending Act (FTLA) from the Act as amended through January 1, 2008, to the Act as amended through July 1, 2010. (passed Senate 50-0) sent to Governor
HF 2252 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. (passed Committee 21-0) House Calendar

Economic Growth
HF 2195 Arts Projects at State Buildings. The Department of Administrative Services would now contract for funds allocated for this purpose. The Department of Cultural Affairs would still report on the financial assistance spent for arts projects. The estimated costs for fine arts would no longer be included in the amount calculated for arts purposes in na-tional surveys. (Passed House 99-0) to Senate Economic Growth.
HSB 552 Sales Tax Exemption for Purchases of a Community Blood Center. Provides a sales tax exemption on blood bags and equipment at community blood centers that the Ameri-can Red Cross currently has. Iowa is one of seven states that tax community blood cen-ters, and there is an opportunity for a regionalized Midwest testing laboratory to be lo-cated in Iowa. However, Iowa would be competing for the jobs with states that do not tax bags and equipment. (Passed committee 20-0) to Ways and Means.
HSB 593 Data Center Rehabilitated Building Project Definition. Adds a definition of a build-ing that needs to be rehabilitated under the Data Center incentive program passed last year. Currently a “data center” means a building rehabilitated or constructed to house a group of networked server computers in one physical location. This will clarify for the department of economic development and the department of revenue what would qualify as rehabilitated. (Passed committee 20-0) to House Floor.
HSB 666 Workforce Housing Assistance Grant Fund. The bill would eliminate the need for a general fund appropriation currently at $450,000 to the Council on Homelessness. The administration costs would be applied to the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). The bill would also help fund the Iowa Mortgage Help line out of the State Housing Trust Fund to help citizens facing foreclosures. It also creates a fund for workforce housing. Some ar-eas of the state are experiencing the need for housing tied to economic development job creation projects. A current housing assistance program offers assistance at 85% the Area Median Income (AMI). This would be 120% AMI. Projects could also utilize, through IFA, the federal New Market Tax Credits program. (Passed committee 21-0) to Appropriations.
HSB 670 Convenient Stores Allowed to Sell Class E Liquor within the Store. The bill would generate and estimated $1.2 million for the general fund by allowing stores where gas is sold on the premise, to sell Class E liquor. Convenience stores currently are allowed to do this if there is a separate facility on site. Several stores have done this by erecting a wall with a separate entrance. The bill was amended in committee to prevent a person younger than 18 to sell the liquor within the convenience store. (Passed committee 13-8) to House Floor.
HF 2082 Regenerative Medicine Research Tax Credit. Allows a 20% tax credit of a tax payer’s contribution to a non-profit organization engaged in therapies for functional repair and replacement of diseased tissues. As amended in committee, double dipping of tax credits would not be allowed and it would be on a first come, first serve basis for the total avail-able amount of $10 million. It would not be transferable, and may be used up to four years or until depleted. (Passed committee 19-2) to Ways and Means.

 
Education
HSB 658 Area Education Agency Study. Requires the Department of Education to convene a task force to conduct a study of the current system of area education agencies. Member-ship of the task force is education stakeholders and consumers. A report is due by De-cember 15, 2010. (passed Committee 21 – 0) to House Calendar

 
Environmental Protection
HF 785 Wheel Weights. Requires the director of DAS to create a process to encourage using wheel weights made of materials other than lead on state owned vehicles. (passed Com-mittee 16-4) to House Calendar
HSB 656 Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Funding. Extends funding through the Under-ground Storage Tank Fund for cleanup that is beyond the level required by the DNR if the UST Fund Board determines the expenses are cost-effective in light of the monitoring plan accepted by the DNR. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
Ethics
HF 2109 Ethics Reforms. Reforms, including pre-registration of receptions, requiring clients to disclose the total amount they spend on lobbying activities, and expanding the powers of the House Ethics Committee, to increase the accuracy and transparency of reports and provide better public access to this information. (Passed Senate 50-0) to Governor

Human Resources
HF 2056 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 Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HF 2065 Medicaid HCBS Waiver for Intellectual Disabilities. Requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to adopt rules relating to the administrative costs for services of the Medicaid HCBS Waiver for Intellectual Disabilities. DHS is authorized to adopt emergency rules. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HF 2158 Preparation for Adult Living Program. Expands the eligibility for the Preparation for Adult Living Program to include persons who received foster care paid for by the state, during the four years prior to turning 18, but were adopted. (passed Committee13-7) to House Calendar
HF 2183 State Board of Health. Reassembles the membership of the State Board of Health to in-clude a licensed physician and individuals with direct experience with public health. In addition, the duties of the board are set in more general terms, rather than specific duties. (passed House 100-0) to Senate
HSB 511 Medication Therapy Management. Requires private insurance companies to cover medication therapy management. The service will only apply to individuals with at least four prescription drugs and meets other qualifications. Pharmacists and physicians will be reimbursed for the services to the patient. This will only apply to state regulated in-surance plans, about 25% of the total market in Iowa. (passed Committee 12-8) to House Calendar
HSB 514 Background Checks for Certified Nurse Aides. Requires background checks for certi-fied nurse aids prior to training program. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HSB 571 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 Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HSB 611 Family Planning Waiver Renewal and Expansion. Renews the Medicaid Family Plan-ning Waiver that is set to expire in 2011. In addition, expands the waiver to wrap around private insurance. Waiver would be eligible to men and women who do not have specific health care coverage, an income up to 300% poverty level, and under the age of 55. (passed Committee 11-9) to House Calendar
HSB 621 Office of Long-Term Care Resident’s Advocate. Establishes the Office of Long-Term Care Resident’s Advocate. Duties are outlined for the office. A penalty of up to $1,500 can be assessed against a facility if access is denied from a long-term care resident advo-cate of the state. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
SF 153 Physician Assistants to Form LLC. Allows physician assistants to form an LLC in the State of Iowa. In addition, the allowance does not expand the scope of practice for a phy-sician assistant. All physician assistants must perform medical services under the super-vision of a licensed physician. (passed Committee 18-3) to House Calendar
SF 393 Child Abuse and Obscene Materials. Expands the definition of child abuse to when a parent or guardian knowingly forces a child to view obscene materials. If the child is likely to suffer harmful effects of being forced to view obscene materials, then the child can be adjudicated as a child in need of assistance (CINA). (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar

Judiciary
HF 770
Judicial Branch Records. Clarifies open records requirements for Judicial Records and protects personal information in judicial records. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
HF 2024 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 Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
HF 2233 Expunging Under the Legal Age Alcohol Convictions. Allows a person to petition to have a conviction for possessing, purchasing, or attempting to purchase alcohol under the legal age to be expunged if the person has not had any criminal convictions for 2 years other than local traffic violations or simple misdemeanors of state traffic laws. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar
HF 2234 Marital Agreements – Post-Death Matters. Allows amendments to a pre-marital agreement, but only to affect post-death matters. (passed Committee 20-0) to House Cal-endar
HSB 598 Rights of a Donee of an Anatomical Gift. Clarifies that the rights of a donee in an ana-tomical gift are superior to the rights of a designee named in a gift. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
HSB 597 Judgment Liens on Homesteads. Specifies a judgment lien does not attach to a home-stead, except under certain circumstances. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar

 

Local Government
HF 2041
Length of Service on City Development Board. Repeals law limiting service on board to two six-year terms. (Passed Committee 16-4) To House Calendar
HSB 546 Local Option Sales Tax for Urban Renewal. Repeals law allowing cities to, by ordi-nance, divert local option sales tax dollars to urban renewal projects without allowing citizens to vote on the change in usage of sales tax money. Grandfathers in any city that has passed an ordinance. (Passed Committee 20-0) To House Calendar
HSB 632 Collecting Use Tax on Manufactured Housing. Requires manufactured housing retail-ers 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. (Passed Committee 20-0) To House Cal-endar
SF 434 Nuisance Properties. Prevents properties that are considered nuisance properties from going to tax sale, and refunds tax certificate holder if a nuisance citation is filed by the city after the sale. (Passed House 98-0) To Senate Calendar

Public Safety
HF 674
EMS to Report Wounds from Crime. Adds certified EMS providers to the list of health professionals that must report a gunshot, stab wound, or other serious injury that was received as a result of a criminal offense, or a motor vehicle accident or crash. (passed House 98-0) in Senate Judiciary Committee
HF 2280 Care of Companion Animals. Authorizes Department of Ag to inspect commercial es-tablishments that hold a federal license based upon a complaint filed with the department. Requires veterinarians to report if an animal is abused, neglected, or tortured no matter if in a commercial establishment or not. (passed Committee 12-9) on House Calendar
HSB 542 DPS Regulating the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Deletes refer-ences 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 num-ber of years that the certification is good for. (passed Committee 20-0) on House Calen-dar
HSB 605 Simulated Public Intoxication. Separates the current offenses of public intoxication and simulated public intoxication into two different numbered paragraphs. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
HSB 606 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 Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
HSB 607 Cowl Lamps. Strikes the current law which does not allow a vehicle to have more than two cowl lamps. These are antique lights on antique vehicles. (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar
Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery
HSB 513
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 Committee 15-0) to House Calendar

 
State Government
SF 2062 Early Retirement Incentive Program. Sets up an early retirement incentive program for state employees. (amended and passed House 98 – 1) to Senate

 
Veterans Affairs
HF 2102 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 vet-erans service officer to determine if veteran services are required or available. (passed Committee 16-0) to House Calendar
HF 2137 National Guard Technical Bill. Makes technical changes to the code regarding the Iowa National Guard and enforcement of controlled substances under Military Justice. (passed 91-0) to Senate
HF 2148 Military Home Ownership Assistance Program. Allows military members to use lend-ers that are not currently associated with the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to obtain mortgages through the home ownership assistance program. Outside lenders are able to apply for IFA’s programs. (passed House 100-0) to Senate
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 Committee 15-0) to House Calendar

Bill Tracking: Week 3, 2010

Commerce

HF 2075     Coverage of Cancer Trial Routine Care.  Requires health insurers to continue to cover routine care for participants in cancer trials. (passed House 96-0) In Senate Commerce

 

Economic Growth

HSB 504     Technical Changes to DED Programs and Board.  Makes technical changes to the  High Quality Jobs tax incentives, and the report required by the 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.  (Passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar

HSB 550     Arts Projects at State Buildings.  The Department of Administrative Services would now contract for funds allocated for this purpose.  The Department of Cultural Affairs would still report on the financial assistance spent for arts projects.  The estimated costs for fine arts would no longer be included in the amount calculated for arts purposes in national surveys. (Passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar

 

Education

HF 495       Participation in Varsity Interscholastic Athletic Contests.  Changes the requirement from 90 days to 180 days that a student, who is participating in open enrollment, must wait before participating in interscholastic athletic contests. (passed Committee 21 – 1) to House Calendar

 

Ethics

HF 2109     Ethics Reforms.  Reforms, including pre-registration of receptions, requiring clients to disclose the total amount they spend on lobbying activities, and expanding the powers of the House Ethics Committee, to increase the accuracy and transparency of reports and provide better public access to this information.  (Passed House 100-0) to Senate

 

Human Resources

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 Committee 19-2) to House Calendar

HSB 507     Pharmaceutical-delivering Contact Lenses.  Authorizes certified optometrists to supply pharmaceutical-delivering contact lenses to patients as deemed necessary.  (passed Committee 19-2) to House Calendar

HSB 516     Lead Certification and Training Program.  Authorized IDPH to use increased fees to obtain additional staff to process the certifications for renovation contractors, to approve training providers, educate renovation contractors regarding the new rules, and conduct random spot-checks to determine if renovation contractors are complying with the rules.  The fee was increased from $50 up to $60 by administrative rule. (passed Committee 12-9) to House Calendar

HSB 518     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 Committee 21-0) to House Calendar

HSB 519     State Board of Health.  Reassembles the membership of the State Board of Health to include a licensed physician and individuals with direct experience with public health.  In addition, the duties of the board are set in more general terms, rather than specific duties.  (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar

HSB 520     Emergency Medical Care Providers.  Requires licensure than certification of emergency medical care providers, as well as, redefines an emergency medical care provider.  Provides a civil penalty if licensure is not complied with. (passed Committee 19-2) to House Calendar

 

Judiciary

HSB 558     Uniform Disclaimer of Property.  Amends Iowa code regarding tax qualified disclaimers or transfers of property and conforms Iowa law to federal law.  (passed Committee 20-0) to House Calendar

 

 

Labor

HF 681       Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN).  HF 681 establishes an Iowa WARN Act.  It requires employers of 25 or more full-time people to notify employees, or their representatives, and the department of workforce development of business closings that result in a layoff of 25 or more full-time employees in a 30-day period.  The bill applies to public and private employers.  Among the exemptions are faltering companies or unforeseeable business circumstances, a natural disaster, or the layoff of strike replacement workers.  (passed Committee 16-0; passed House 81-18) to Senate.

 

Local Government

SF 434        Nuisance Properties.  Prevents properties that are considered nuisance properties from going to tax sale, and refunds tax certificate holder if a nuisance citation is filed by the city after the sale.  (Passed Committee 19-0)  To House Calendar.

 

Natural Resources

HF 721       Carry Detached Magazine with Long-Guns.  Current law prohibits a person from having a loaded magazine detached from their long-gun while in their vehicle on a public highway.  The gun and magazine has to be unloaded.  This bill allows detached magazines to be loaded, but the long-gun has to be taken down (disassembled/not operable) or totally contained in a securely fastened case.  This bill only pertains to long-guns, not hand-guns.  (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar

 

 

Veterans Affairs

HF 755       Injured Veterans Grant Program.  Expands eligibility for the Injured Veterans Grant Program to include veterans who have suffered an injury requiring at least 30 consecutive days of hospitalization at a military hospital.  (passed Committee 17-0) to House Calendar

HF 2055     Military Home Ownership Assistance Program.  Allows military members to use lenders that are not currently associated with the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to obtain mortgages through the home ownership assistance program. Outside lenders are able to apply for IFA’s programs. (passed Committee 16-0) to House Calendar

HF 2060     Trailers Used Exclusively in Veterans Flag Ceremonies and Parades.  Exempts trailer registration for any trailer that is used exclusively for the transportation, display, and distribution of flags in parades or ceremonies.  The trailers can only be used on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or other patriotic occasions.  A local government must pass a resolution allowing for the exemption of the registration of the trailer; the resolution must accompany the trailer at all times.  (passed Committee 17-0) to House Floor.

HF 2061     Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program Curriculum.  Authorizes the Board of Educational Examiners to issue statements of professional recognition for persons qualified as instructors of the junior reserve officer training corps program curriculum. (passed Committee 17-0) to House Calendar

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 House 56-44) to Senate

HSB 540          Tax Exempts Certain Veterans Benefits.  Exempts certain veterans benefits from the state individual income tax.  Qualified veterans who receive reimbursement from the Veterans Trust Fund for travel

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