The Thompson Times

We have completed the second funnel which is a self-imposed deadline designed to keep the legislature on track. This deadline mandates that any bill sent from the Senate to the House must have cleared Committee and be prepared for floor debate if it is to be considered still alive and moving forward.

Simplified Bullying Law Moves Ahead in Senate

It has been 18 years since the original bill on bullying passed the Legislature. 

HF 865focuses on behavior over identity and applies the same standard to all children. Under the bill, that definition would read:

Harassment and bullying shall be construed to mean any repeated and targetedelectronic, written, verbal or physical act or conduct toward a student that creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

(1) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

(2) Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

(3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.

(4) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or

benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

The bill awaits final approval on the Senate floor.

Property Tax Bill Updates

This session, we have introduced several bills for consideration, from slight tweaks to major reforms to the system.  These bills serve as a starting point to kickstart a broad conversation about property tax reform. We’ve made it very clear that we are not looking to rush these bills through but are giving time for Iowans and interest groups to weigh in on how these changes would affect them or their members. We are relying on the feedback we receive from Iowans.  The main bill that has been garnering the most attention because it would be a big overhaul of the property tax system is HSB 313.  Here’s a general overview of what the bill does in its current form:

·      Implements a revenue restriction to ensure property tax relief for all Iowans

·      Provides a $25k homestead benefit

·      Brings additional property tax relief to Iowa veterans and seniors. 

·      Lowers the uniform levy as it phases out the rollback system for residential, commercial, and industrial property over five years. This rollback system was enacted in 1977 and currently results in a lack of predictability for local governments, among other issues. 

Altogether, this bill is estimated to provides $426 million in property tax relief.  Based on the feedback we hear from Iowans, the current system is disliked by both taxpayers and taxing entities. However, we do want to make sure we are taking our time to understand the full impacts of the legislation.

Other bills we’ve introduced on property taxes include:

o   HSB 304calculates property taxes on a per parcel basis with a 3% limitation. This solution would effectively provide certainty for property taxpayers.

o   HSB 303uses the interest from the taxpayer relief fund to buy down property taxes.

o   HF 600puts a cap of 2% on the average levy rate per $1000 but permits local government to go higher with a 60% vote of the people.

o   HF 418modifies the process for determining the actual value of residential property, assessment limitations of certain classes of property, and certain levy rate limitations.

Iowa Ranks 4th in Best States to Practice Medicine

Recently, Wallet Hubcame out with their rankings of all 50 states and DC for best states for doctors to practice. This ranking looked across 19 metrics for every state and ranked Iowa the 4th best state to practice medicine in the country.  This high ranking is consistent with many other rankings that show Iowa has a strong health care foundation:

1st – Lowest Healthcare Costs (WalletHub, 2024)

4th – Best Healthcare System (WalletHub, 2024)

We continue to work on ways to recruit and retain health care workforce to all parts of Iowa with the House passing House File 310, House File 516, House File 972, House File 300, and many more this session.

House Ways & Means Committee Approves Two Anaerobic Digester System Measures

Science has come a long way; we now have the potential to glean energy from manure. This past week, the Iowa House Ways and Means Committee approved HSB 322which proposes a new Code chapter. 

Significant Judiciary Bills Survive the Second Funnel

HF 864/HF 62- Obscene Material Online

HF 864 establishes civil liability for commercial entities that publish or distribute obscene material on the internet if minors access that material. It requires these entities to verify the age of individuals attempting to access such content using reasonable methods. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for damages and must cover court costs and attorney fees. 

HJR 9 /HSB 35-Constitutional Amendment- Right to Confront Accuser

HJR 9is a proposal to change the Iowa Constitution. It aims to protect children under 18 and witnesses with mental illnesses or disabilities by allowing laws that limit an accused person's right to confront these witnesses face to face in court. If approved, this amendment would be published and then sent to the next general assembly for further consideration before being put to a public vote.  Changing the state constitution is not done haphazardly, and this process ensures a methodical approach.  

Governor Signs Four House Public Safety Bills

HF 180/HSB22- Grooming 

Individuals convicted of grooming, under current Iowa code, will be required to register as tier I sex offenders for a period of 10 years.

HF 181/HSB 29- THC Open Container 

House File 181 prohibits drivers and passengers from possessing open containers of beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the passenger area of motor vehicles. The bill aligns with existing laws that restrict open containers of alcoholic beverages. 

 Assault Against Certain Professions

Senate File 397increases penalties for assaults against certain occupations, including peace officers, correctional staff, juvenile detention staff, and Department of Inspections Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) inspectors. It increases the severity of penalties for assaults committed with intent to cause serious injury or using a dangerous weapon. The bill also includes provisions for assaults that result in contact with bodily fluids, such as saliva, and establishes a minimum seven-day sentence for certain offenses.

SF 22 House Passes Bill Limiting Use of Cell Phones in Motor Vehicles, Becomes Law

This new law requires a driver to use their cell phone in the hands-free mode when operating a motor vehicle. Under the new law, a driver could not have their phone in their hand while making a call or utilizing an app. The bill does provide some exceptions to the ban including public safety officials who are performing their official duties, health care professionals who are dealing with a health care emergency, and motorists who are reporting an emergency.  This requirement will go into effect on July 1. Drivers who are found to be violating the law will be issued a warning for the first six months.  Actual citations, which will be punishable with a $100 fine, will not be issued until January 1, 2026.