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This eleventh week the Senate passed 23 bills in floor debate this week. Over half of those passed with 47 or more of the fifty senators voting in favor of the bill. Only three passed on a strictly party line vote.SF 547 was the “hands free bill” which restricts the use of electronic devices while driving to voice-activated/hands free mode. Law enforcement could stop you for having the phone in your hand even if there is no other moving violation (like speeding or ignoring a red light). Other states have shown a decrease in deaths and injuries when these laws are enacted. Several times in the last 10 years I have seen bills attempting to legalize the sale of raw milk. This week the Senate passed SF 315, which allows the sale of fresh milk and products from dairies of less than ten animals. The sales must be made directly to the consumer.  Iowa is one of only six states that prohibit all raw milk sales. I am hoping this passes the House this year.The most passionate debate of the week surrounded the parental rights bill. Since the pandemic, many parents have become more aware of the material being taught in schools. Some parents are concerned about explicit books available to young children. SF 496 does not ban books or implement speech codes. It does keep sexually explicit content from being available to elementary students in a public school. One Democrat senator said during debate, “There are some things parents shouldn’t have access to.” I think the delicate topics of gender and sexuality are best taught in the home. For nearly a century, the state judicial rulings have upheld parental rights. They state that students are not mere wards of the state and parents must have the ability to guide their education, moral and religious upbringing, and the preparation for their future.Another bill that fueled lively debate was SF 506 which reforms Iowa’s Certificate of Need (CON) law. The first CON laws were implemented by the federal government to avoid duplication of healthcare facilities. In Iowa, these laws were expanded to include not only the physical facility, but also the equipment and services provided at that location. The intent was to improve access and reduce costs. Today, these laws are inhibiting innovation in areas with significant need.  SF 506 removes the application of CON laws to birth centers, rehabilitation, and mental health facilities. Hospitals, nursing facilities, residential facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers will still be subject to CON.A bill I authored will prohibit state funds, including retirement funds, from being invested in companies owned or controlled by the Chinese military or government. Our investment in these companies, identified by the federal government, is not a large percentage of our funds, but as one political economist stated, “Why would you want to pay for the rope they seek to hang you with?”  SF 418 passed 49-1.The House of Representatives passed HF 565 this week. It deals with the proposed carbon dioxide pipelines and landowner rights. One of its provisions is requiring a company to acquire at least ninety percent of the affected route through voluntary easements. I looked into the voluntary landowner participation when the Avenue of the Saints was constructed. 94% of the miles required to build that road were obtained voluntarily. I see a road as definitely for the public benefit. I do not see the permanent storage of carbon dioxide as having a public benefit, so I believe no eminent domain should be used. It is my desire to see the Senate pass HF 565 or something stronger.

Author: Dennis Guth

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