WEEKLY BILL TRACKING

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH STAFF

Appropriations

SF 2117       De-Appropriations. The agreed to de-appropriations budget reductions from the House Majority Party cut a total of $35.4 million from the state budget. State agencies will have approximately 3 months to implement reductions the state has known about since October. (Signed, 3-28-18)

Commerce Committee

HF 2239       Noninsurance Business Transactions. Insurance Division provides financial records regarding sale of cemetery and funeral merchandise. (passed Senate 47-0) to Governor.

HF 2305       Telehealth Insurance Services. Requires Insurance coverage for healthcare services delivered by telehealth. (Signed, effective 7-1-18).

SF 2349       Multi-Employer Welfare Association. Allows employers to form an association in order to provide healthcare. (passed Senate 37 to 11) to Governor.

HF 2382       Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. Alters number of individuals on the examining board. (passed Senate 47 to 0) to Governor.

Education

HF 2235       Next Generation Iowa Test as the Iowa Assessment. Designates the Next Generation Iowa Test as the new Iowa assessment for K-12 schools. The bill includes requirements from the RFP requirements designated in legislation last year. Signed, effective March 28, 2018.

HF 2390       World Language and Sign Language. Makes the technical change of “foreign language” courses renamed to “world languages.” Also, American sign language would now be an option to be included as a course to meet a “world language” education requirements for accreditation standards. (passed Senate 47-0) to Governor

HF 2441       Flexibility Fund. Addresses guidance issued by the Department of Education, and allows greater flexibility of funds to flow into the flexibility fund that could be used for a general fund purpose, including the class size reduction program.   Salary and benefits of security personnel, psychologists, licensed independent social workers, master of social workers and licensed mental health counselors may now be paid for with at-risk funds. The bill also expands the ability of school districts to lease property to now include existing school property, and creates greater flexibility for At-Risk funds and allows a school to lease a building for an alternative energy project. Materials purchased with HSAP funds may be used in a general education setting. The Senate amendment lined up the dates of the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) meetings to their deadlines for plan submission.  It also removes a provision that only allowed the SBRC reject a request for funding if it violated the school district’s program plan. Now the approval would only be based on if they exceeded their cap amount. (passed Senate 47-0) to House with Senate amendment

SF 475          Education Omnibus. Allows any school district to provide on-line courses through a private provider. Students are allowed to open enroll with no cap on the number of students. They could do this for two subjects if less than 10 students “typically” register for the course, and it is not offered by Iowa Learning On-line. A resident district may charge a fee from the receiving district for the on-line student to be involved in activities. Allows community colleges to supplant high school courses for concurrent enrollment in CTE courses if there are more than five and less than 600 students. Creates a work group on student health requirements that are considered “burdensome.” A biliteracy diploma seal is created if a student demonstrates proficiency in two world languages, one of which must be English. (passed House 56-39) to Senate with House Amendment

SF 2131       Home School ILO Expansion. The Department of Education’s (DE) Iowa Learning Online (ILO) initiative would be expanded to allow home schoolers access to the program. The person providing the instruction would receive the student’s scores for completed coursework.   Currently, only school districts and accredited nonpublic schools may partner with the initiative to receive ILO classes, and the participating school district, or nonpublic school receive the grades for recording for graduation. Under the bill, a person providing the instruction would receive the student’s scores for completed coursework for the home school student. The fee charged to the parent or guardian will be the same charged for public schools, private schools of $260. Fees collected will not exceed the cost of administration. A work group is created by the Area Education Agencies with community colleges to identify effective ways to access online education, and is effective upon enactment. Signed, various effective dates.

SF 2318       High School Credit if Completing Unit of Instruction Early. As amended by the House, the bill requires that any student seeking high school credit from a class taken in an earlier grade, must come from a public school, or an accredited private school.  The public school or accredited public school are required to issue the credit if the student has satisfactorily completed a high school unit, unless the student is unable to demonstrate proficiency or the school district or accredited nonpublic school determines that the course does not meet local standards.  If the credit is denied, the district and nonpublic school is required to provide to the parent or guardian in writing, the reason why the credit was denied. (passed House 99-0) to Senate with House Amendment

SF 2364       School Emergency Operation Plans. Public and non-public schools would have to develop emergency operations plans no later than June 30, 2019 and update it annually. It will include response to active shooter training. The plan would include publication of the procedures to parents and guardians and school personnel. The school is to consider any recommendations from the Department of Education and consult with local emergency management. The Senate amended the House amendment so all school employees are required to conduct the drill. The final version of the bill also allows school board or private school authorities would determine which school personnel participate in the drill, and a drill conducted could include table top exercise, walk-through, partial or full drill. (passed Senate 47-0, passed House 100-0) The House Concurred with the Senate amendment, to Governor

Environmental Protection

HF 2303       DNR Policy Bill. Updates DNR policy related reports filed with the Legislature, clarifying what constitutes recycling facilities, and places the geological survey at the University of Iowa.  (Signed, effective 7-1-18)

Human Resources

HF 2309       Dually Enrolled Medicaid/Medicare Members-Hospice Benefit. For dually eligible Medicaid and Medicare patients, this bill will allow MCOs to directly reimburse the nursing home for room and board expenses when a patient chooses the Medicare hospice benefit. Currently, the MCOs pass the payments through the hospice care provider-adding to administrative burden.  (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

HF 2356       Direct Primary Care Agreements. Allows for Direct Primary Care Agreements. These are agreements between the primary provider and the patient, cutting out insurance companies. Lays out what has to be in the agreement, adds a notice that states this is not health insurance, and defines what primary care means.  This bill applies to primary care only, not specialty care.  Patients may pay a periodic retainer, membership fee, subscription fee or charge based on what the agreement states. (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

HF 2370       Postadoption Information. Requires the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to give the parents of an adopted child a document prepared by DHS listing all postadoption services available to them. (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

HF 2449       Office of Substitute Decision Maker. Department of Aging bill-code clean-up.  Changes the name of the Office of Substitute Decision Maker to the Office of Public Guardian.  Clarification that allows local offices to use their own attorney if they wish. (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

HF 2451       Department of Aging Bill. Clarifies programs within the Department of Aging, adds flexibility to spending of state funds by changing “formula” to “method,” language conforming to federal laws. (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

SF 2203       Nurse Refresher Course. Allows the Board of Nursing to issue a limited nursing authorization to a nurse who is working to complete the clinical component of a nurse refresher course.  These refresher courses are required to be taken by any person who has not held an active nursing license within the previous five years. (passed House 97-0) to Governor

Judiciary

HF 2233       Mechanics Liens Demands and Public Construction Lien Requirements. Allows for decrease the amount demanded in a lien without affecting the priority of the lien and requires a public corporation must retain funds due to a supplier for labor, service, or transportation and requires specific types of notice by the contractor. (passed Senate 26-21) to House as Amended

HF 2300       Professional Corporations Expanded to Health Professionals. Expands the list of health care professionals that may form a limited liability company or professional corporation to include mental health counselors and similar counseling professionals. (passed Senate 47-0) to Governor

HF 2402       Power of Attorney and Elder Abuse. Terminates an agent’s authority under a power of attorney if the agent is found to have committed dependent adult abuse. (passed Senate 47-0) to Governor

HF 2457       Substantive Code Corrections. Makes substantive corrections to the Code. (Signed, effective 7-1-18)

HJR 2009     Constitutional Right to Bear Arms. Constitutional amendment recognizing the fundamental individual right to keep and bear arms. This constitutional amendment would need to pass in the same form next legislative General Assembly to be presented to the voters at the next general election. (passed Senate 31-15, passed both Houses this General Assembly).

SF 2139       Power of Attorney Relinquishing Rights. Clarifies that a power of attorney may relinquish rights of dower, homestead, and elective share. (Signed, effective 3-28-18)

SF 2165       Crime Victim Compensation Fund Updates. Makes changes to the crime victim compensation fund to expand eligible survivors and clarify what expenses can be paid by the fund. (passed House 99-0) to Governor

SF 2229       Mechanic’s Liens and Collateral Security. Removes the current prohibition on obtaining a mechanic’s lien if a person takes collateral. (passed House 99-0) to Governor

SF 2241       Board of Parole Update. Makes changes to parole violations and procedures of the Board of Parole. (passed House 94-0) to Governor

SF 2378       Terms of Office of Corporations Boards. Amends special requirements governing the terms of office of certain public corporation’s board of directors. (Signed, various effective dates)

Labor

HF 2297        Boiler Inspections. Increases the threshold for boiler inspections and changes procedures for boilers in dry layup (passed Senate 26-21) to House Calendar

HF 2321       Criminal Background Checks. Allows IWD to conduct background checks on employees and makes changes to vacation payout (passed Senate 44-2) to Governor.

Local Government

HF 2253       Leased-Purchase Agreements Eliminated. Eliminates the current competitive bid process exemption for the ability of cities, counties, Board of Regents, community colleges and school districts to do leased-purchase agreements.  Under the Senate amendment, the definition of a project is tightened to include a commitment by the governmental entity to pay for the building or construction work in whole or in part with funds of the governmental entity. A public improvement project to include construction work, whole or in part, with funds of a governmental entity. The bill still eliminates the ability to lease a building through a project, and all Urban Renewal projects would be exempt from the prohibition. (passed Senate 27-20, passed House 59-41) to Governor

SF 2226       Ground Water Hazard Statements. Of the records within the County Recorder, the bill exempts ground water hazard statements from their reporting format requirements. Ground water hazard statements are required as part of the reporting of private burial sites, wells, disposal sites, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, and private sewage disposal systems. Under that code section, a County Recorder, is required to refuse to record any deed, instrument, or writing for which a declaration of value unless the groundwater hazard statement has been submitted to the County Recorder. (passed House 99-0) to Governor

SF 2325       Vehicle Title Release. Currently Iowa only allows someone when they release their vehicle to be sold to sign their title. The bill adds the option of doing the cancellation of a vehicle title by way of notarized release form or letter which is allowed in other states. Signed, effective July 1, 2018.

Public Safety

SF 2235       Critical Infrastructure. Creates the definition of critical infrastructure sabotage and penalties. (passed House 69 to 31) to Governor.

HF 2254       911 Wire-Line. Updates Iowa’s 911 Emergency Network. (passed Senate 47 to 0) to Governor.

State Government

HF 2200        Terrace Hill Piano Competition. This bill allows for the Terrace Hill Commission to establish an endowment fund for a piano competition. (Passed Senate 33-14) to Governor.

HF 2425        Physical Therapist Compact. Sets up the parameters of Physical Therapist licensure compact in the state. (Passed the Senate 46-0) to Governor.

HF 2439        Horse Racing Regulations. Allows for different weight requirements for Iowa foals as well as allows for the drug testing of a horse with hair. (Passed Senate 47-0) to Governor.

SF 192           Behavior Analysts. Creates the licensure for Behavior Analysts in Iowa. (Passed Senate 46-0) to Governor.

SF 2155         Political Subdivision Investments. . Sets the amount that can be invested by local governments in a certificate of deposit. (Passed House 100-0) to Governor.

SF 2255         State Auditor Bill. The bill establishes that if the auditor is asked to do a request by a member of the General Assembly, costs should be recuperated from the appropriate department. The bill also allows for examination instead of an audit of a local community.  It also allows for payments by a local community to the auditor are to be retained by the auditor and available for use in the fiscal year. (Signed, effective 7-1-18)

SF 2290         Board of Trustees for Hospitals. Allows for a board of trustees for a city or county hospital to change the number of members on the board and remove members who do not show up for meetings (Signed, effective 7-1-18)

SF 2347         Alcohol Importation. Sets the limit on the amount of liquor, beer, and wine that can be personally imported from out of state and consumed in state for personal consumption. (Passed House 86-8, Passed Senate 47-1) to Governor

Transportation

HF 2256        Bridge Status Report. Eliminates a sunset on reports on county bridges to the DOT from county engineers. The legislation also directs the DOT to look at the impact of hybrid, electric, and other high efficiency vehicles on the Road Use Tax Fund. (RUTF). (Passed the Senate 47-0) to Governor.

HF 2304        Expansion of Move Over Law. Expands the “move over” law to include private construction as well as an individual’s private vehicles. A driver must now use due care while passing a person working on their car on the side of the road so long as that person is using their emergency flashing lights. (Passed the Senate 46-0) to Governor.

HF 2915        Transportation Commission. This comes from the DOT and changes the time of the term for members of the Transportation Commission. Currently a commission member takes office and then the next month is immediately expected to vote on a 5 year transportation plan, that they have not worked on. (Passed the Senate 47-0) to Governor.

SF 449           Cattle Guards. Allows for a landowner to install a cattle guard on a road, as long as certain requirements are met. The cattle guard is to be installed at the landowners expense and has the liability of the fence. (Passed the House 97-3) to Senate with House Amendment.

Veterans Affairs

HF 2420       National Service Corps Program. Establishes a National Service Corps program in Iowa. This program will make it easier for organizations to create service opportunities and for public agencies to use these programs. Also allows agencies to give alumni of the program preference in employment.  This new initiative would join existing programs like Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps, and the Iowa Mentoring Partnership. There is no direct appropriation for the new program, but it will be able to use the same funds (established in 15H.5) as the other service programs.  (passed Senate 46-0) to Governor

SF 2201       Public Defense Department Bill. Gives the Adjutant General of the National Guard the ability to designate areas around bases for morale and recreation. This includes areas for restaurants, food trucks etc. Private businesses would be able to come on the base with the Adjutant General’s permission, and the services would be user-funded with no appropriation needed. Last, the bill aligns state laws with federal laws concerning some civilian criminal offenses committed on base. These offenses, such as sexual assault, take place between two Guard members. The bill states the Guard will notify the civilian law enforcement agency without delay, and the agency shall assign the case a number promptly. After the case is complete, the law enforcement agency has to share the results with the Guard. (Signed, effective 7-1-2018)

Ways & Means

HSB 673      Leased Construction Equipment Sales Tax. Exempts from sales tax construction equipment for lease under the sale-for-resale exemption. (passed Committee 18-5) to House Calendar

HF 2454       Township EMS Proposition for Voter Approval. A Board of Township Trustees would be allowed to submit to voters an additional levy increase for EMS service coverage, or the citizens of a township could submit a petition for EMS service coverage. The petition is required to have 25% of the number of votes cast in the township for the Governor or Presidential election, and be filled at least 82 days before the election. The proposition would have to be at least four years, and the proposition to impose a higher additional annual tax is required to be included on the ballot to the voters at the same election as the proposition to require the township to provide EMS. (passed Committee 24-0) to House Calendar

To view last week’s Weekly Bill Tracking document, visit http://iowahouse.org/2018-weekly-bill-tracking-thurs-march-15-wed-march-21/