“House Democrats are ready to take swift action this week and stop the tuition hike on national guard members. We are ready to work with Republicans and get the bill to the Governor’s desk before we return home for the weekend,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who leads Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee. “With most Iowa students already back at college for the spring semester, we need to take quick action to restore their tuition assistance before it’s too late.”

In December, the Iowa National Guard announced it would reduce awards for the Education Assistance Program from 90% to 50% because of high enrollment.

“Over the interim, we’ve heard from many Iowans with concerns about safety at our correctional institutions,” added Olson. “As legislators, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of workers in dangerous situations as well as protecting the general public from criminals.”

Olson said both bills will be filed tomorrow.

Some of the changes taking effect on July 1 include:

Support for Small Businesses – Focuses state job creation efforts on small Iowa businesses instead of large Wall Street companies by increasing the Research Activities Credit available for small businesses. (Senate File 2380)

Domestic Abuse – Forfeiture of Guns – If a person is convicted of domestic abuse or is the subject of a permanent protective order, the person will lose the ability to own guns. (Senate File 2357)

Texting Ban – Drivers under the age of 18 years cannot use an electronic device while driving, unless it is installed in the vehicle or operated through permanently installed equipment. Drivers over 18 cannot use a hand-held communication device to read, write, or send a text message, but can use the device to make a phone call. The penalty for all ages is a $30 fine, with harsher penalties if in an accident with serious injury or death. Warning citations begin on July 1, 2010, and fines begin on July 1, 2011. (House File 2456)

Seat Belts – Requires all persons under the age of 18 years to use either a safety seat or seat belt unless all seat belts are already being used. If a person age 14 years or older is not using a seat belt, they will get the ticket, not the driver of the vehicle. (Senate File 2381)

Military Spouse 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. (House File 2110)

Grain Weight Limit for Farmers – Allows commercial motor vehicles, other than special trucks, on non-interstate highways, to haul up to 90,000 lbs. on six axles and 96,000 lbs. on seven axles. Currently allowed for livestock or construction vehicles, this allows farmers to haul heavier grain on trucks with more axles. (House File 2512)

Health Insurance & Cancer Trials – Insurers say they pay for routine care for cancer patients in clinical trials, but many patients are reluctant to participate fearing they will lose their health insurance. This bill makes it easier for patients to participate in these trials by assuring them that routine care will continue to be covered. (House File 2075)

Mental Health Hospitalization Notification (Ed Thomas Bill) – Assures that law enforcement are notified when individuals hospitalized for a serious mental impairment are released from care if there is an arrest warrant or pending charges against the individual. (House File 2352)

Smart Growth and Comprehensive Planning – Establishes a set of ten comprehensive planning principles that state and local governments should use in preparing for future growth. These principles are guides and are not mandates. (Senate File 2389)

Here are a few of the highlights:

• Foreclosure Protection - Iowans will benefit from expanded services when facing foreclosure, more accurate information from mortgage brokers or bankers, and active duty reservists and national guard members will have new protections from foreclosure while serving (House File 706, Senate File 355, and Senate File 364)

• Historic Tax Credits – Another $30 million in Historic Tax Credits will be available for communities to create jobs and rebuild (Senate File 481)

• Protecting Kids from Sex Offenders – Sex offenders will be prohibited from being within 300 feet of schools, parks, or other places kids gather. The state will also enhance tracking of the most dangerous sex offenders. (Senate File 430)

• Expanding Health Care – Health care will be expanded to an additional 30,000 uninsured kids, more low-income women will be eligible for health care during pregnancy, and it will be easier for parents to keep their adult children under 25 on their insurance plan (Senate File 389)

• Wind Energy – Schools, hospitals, universities, private colleges, and community colleges will be eligible to apply for wind energy tax credits (Senate File 456)

• Manure Application During Winter - In an effort to prevent runoff into waterways, confinement operations are banned from surface application of liquid manure on snow covered ground from December 21-April 1, and on frozen ground from February 1-April 1, unless there is an emergency. (Senate File 432)

• Electronic Logs for Pseudoephedrine - Pharmacies will now use electronic logbooks to track pseudoephedrine sales and stop meth makers from “pharmacy shopping” to get enough of the drug to make meth (Senate File 237)

• Job Protection for Volunteer Emergency Providers - Volunteer emergency service providers, like fire fighters and first responders, will have new protections from being fired if they are late or absent due to an emergency (House File 671)

• Insurance Coverage – Insurance policies issued or renewed after July 1 must include coverage for prosthetics, can’t discriminate among cancer treatments, and cover diabetes management training (Senate File 478, House File 478 & House File 311)

• Nursing Home Safety – Nursing homes will face higher fines for incidents resulting in death or severe injury (Senate File 433)

• Consumer Fraud Protections - Iowa consumers, especially seniors, who are defrauded when buying a used car, hiring contractors for home repairs, or starting a home mortgage will have new rights to sue the business that defrauded them (House File 712)

Read a summary of the bi-partisan proposal here.

Read the full text of the proprosal here.