This week, I am going to focus on the work I have been doing around bills that have been assigned to me as the floor manager. You are all well aware that the pace is very busy here at the Capitol. Committee work isn’t necessarily complete, as I still have duties to assign Senate Files as well as working with committee members that I have assigned bills to.
HF 2480 A bill relating to Informed Consent – this bill will require Physicians who provide medication abortions to inform the woman of the risks associated with this medication as well as the information available that an abortion may be able to be reversed.
HF 2519 A bill relating to the Curing Disease Interstate Compact agreement – this bill will enter us into a compact agreement with at least six states to create an incentive for finding cures for a certain list of diseases which would be determined by the compact. All too often we hear about new available treatments, but it makes a lot of sense financially to find cures for these diseases than to continue to spend money to treat them.
HF 2551 A bill for an act relating to price transparency for prescription drugs and cost-sharing calculations by carriers, and including applicability provisions. This bill will create a reporting system that would require pharmaceutical companies to report when a drug has a rise in more than 15% and it also allows a coupon to be used at the Pharmacy to help reduce the cost of some prescriptions in which the coupon can be applied to your prescription insurance deductible.
HF 2540 A bill for an act establishing a charity beer, spirits, and wine event permit – Affectionately called the Best Fest Bill, this bill will allow a recognized Iowa Non-profit organization to host an event at a Alcohol Beverage Division Licensed establishment to include the price of beer, wine or spirits in the price of their ticket. The establishment must hold the appropriate ABD license to serve that beverage.
And finally, I’ve filed an amendment on a music bill that will help small business across the state, especially in small and rural communities; HF 2527.3354 is an amendment that requires Music Licencing Organizations to meet certain requirements when doing business in Iowa. Many people are not aware that if you play music in a public place, you have to pay royalties to several companies that represent the artist whose music is being played. These companies are are very predatory, and typically bust into a business threatening staff or the owner with a lawsuit if they do not sign the contract in hand and pay the fees that they have determined. This practice is most familiar to bars and venues who offer live music, however grocery stores, music festivals, funeral homes and fitness centers can also be targeted. Imagine if your local establishment stopped offering live music in your community because they simply refuse to do business with these companies due to their awful behavior? This bill also allows an establishment to file an injunction for up to $2500 and associated costs if these companies break our IOWA NICE rules!
