WEEKLY BILL TRACKING

Thursday, January 14 to Wednesday, January 20, 2010 

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH STAFF

Commerce

HSB 524     Unemployment Tax Collection.  Requires Secretary of State to notify the Department of Workforce Development prior to approving a filing for reinstatement by a dissolved company, to ensure any back taxes are paid. (passed Committee 22-0) 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 Committee 14-7) House Calendar

Economic Growth

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.  (passed Committee 19-0) to House Calendar

Education

HF 2030    Modifies spending requirements of school districts’ cash reserve fund.  This bill requires school districts to spend down their cash reserve funds before coming to the School Budget Review Committee to levy for modified allowable growth which could increase property taxes. (passed Committee 23 – 0; passed House 85 – 8; passed Senate 32 – 16) signed by Governor 1/20/10

SF 2030      Race to the Top.  This bill changes Iowa Code, where necessary, in order to allow Iowa to apply for federal Race to the Top funds.  (passed Committee 19 – 4; passed House 55 – 37)  Signed by Governor 1/15/10

SF 2045      Setting of allowable growth.  This bill delays setting the state percent of growth by the Legislature to schools for one year until 2011.  (passed Committee 23 – 0; passed House 90 – 0) signed by Governor 1/20/10

SF 2046      Setting categorical growth.  This bill delays setting the categorical state percent by the Legislature of growth for one year until 2011.  (passed Committee 23 – 0; passed House 91 – 0) signed by Governor 1/20/10

Ethics

HSB 506     Ethics Reforms.  Reforms, including pre-registration of receptions, requiring clients to disclose the total amount they spend on lobbying activities, and expanding the powers for the House Ethics Committee, to increase the accuracy and transparency of reports and provide better public access to this information.  (Passed Committee 5-0) to House Calendar

Human Resources

HF 234       Mental Health Parity.  Provides intent language to require health insurance coverage for costs relating to mental health conditions, including alcohol or substance abuse treatment services. (passed Committee 14-6) to House Calendar

Labor

HF 701       Model Elevator Act.  The labor commissioner could recognize a certificate of completion and successful passage of a national recognized training course, completion of an apprenticeship, or possession of a valid license from a state having equal standards.  The commissioner may revoke, deny, or suspend a license.  (passed Committee 10-7) to House Calendar

HF 727       Railroad Safe Walkways.  Require the Department of Transportation to adopt rules providing for safe walkways for railroad workers in areas where work is performed.  The DOT would penalize the railroad company $100 per violation.  (passed Committee 9-8) to House Calendar

Public Safety

HF 657       Indecent Exposure.  Rewrites the definition of indecent exposure to define three types of acts and circumstances or conditions that must be present.  Each type of offense must be done in a place and under circumstances in which the person knows, or reasonably should know, that the offense is likely to cause affront or alarm. (passed Committee 21-0) to House Calendar

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 Committee 21-0) to House Calendar

Veterans Affairs

HSB 538     Military Spouse Unemployment Benefits.  Benefits would be paid out of the Unemployment Trust Fund. (passed Committee 10-6) to House Calendar