I am looking forward to seeing you at my town hall meetings, all of which will be held on Saturday mornings. These meetings are scheduled all over my district in Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw and Floyd counties and are set as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 1st in Greene at the Greene Public Library from 9 to 10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1st in New Hampton at the New Hampton Public Library from 11 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, Feb. 8th in Sumner at Sumner Public Library from 9 to 10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8th in Nashua at the Nashua Welcome Center (Gateway to Northeast Iowa Welcome Center) from 11 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, Feb. 15th in Parkersburg at the Parkersburg Public Library from 9 to 10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15th in Denver at the Denver Community Room from 11 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, Feb. 22nd in Fredericksburg at Upham Memorial Library from 9 to 10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22nd in Allison at the Allison Public Library from 11 a.m. to Noon
Rep. Charley Thomson will join me when he can.
Committee Work Has Begun
Below are the bills that are moving in committee:
Prenatal Development Education-SSB 1028: Require grades 7-12 in schools to be taught in sex ed. or health class human biology related to pregnancy and human development inside the womb. It will be using a high-definition, ultrasound video showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development and a computer-generated rendering or video, comparable to the “Meet Baby Olivia” video developed by Live Action, showing the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus from conception to birth.
This is a wonderful tool to educate youth on the reality and beauty of what is actually happening inside the womb during pregnancy. Youth will know that this is not a “clump of cells” but an actual baby is being formed, which it is hoped will engender a sense of wonder, respect, and awe at the miracle of human life.
You can watch the approximately 3-minute “Baby Olivia” video for yourself to see what students would be seeing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-lQOooYAs8
The video does not have to be this exact one, but one comparable to it. The “Baby Olivia” video is a medically accurate, animated glimpse of the development of a baby inside the womb. It was reviewed by OB/GYN’s and affirmed for accuracy. Gestational markers are calculated relative to conception, not to the last menstrual period (LMP), often used in the medical field, which adds about 2 weeks.
Exemptions from Vaccinations-SF 6: Requires K-12 schools, post-secondary institutions, and child care facilities to provide information on the allowable exemptions from vaccination requirements, that is, the religious and medical exemption options.
Hands-Free-SF 22: Prohibits the use of electronic devices, usually cell phones, while driving except in the voice-activated or hands-free mode.
County Supervisor Districts-SSB 1018: Under current law, the county board of supervisors may be elected at-large (Plan 1), at-large but representing districts (Plan 2), or by districts (Plan 3). This bill determines that counties who have a population of 125,000 or more based on the most recent Federal census or have a Regent university’s main campus located within the county must use districts to elect supervisors (Plan 3) beginning in the 2026 election cycle.
The goal of this bill is to give a voice to rural communities in large counties and give full-time residents of counties with large student populations more accurate representation on the board of supervisors.
Double Up Food Bucks-SSB 1012: Appropriates a $1 million grant to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative for the Double Up Food Bucks program to assist those on SNAP to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other participating locations.
Bills I Have Introduced
Minor’s Driving License-SF 37: Under current law, work and school are places minors with a special license can drive without an adult. This bill adds church to that list.
Retired Farmer Income Exclusion-SF 59 : Under current law, a retired farmer’s rental income is not taxed. This bill allows retired farmers who are in partnerships, S corporations, trusts, and estates, the same provisions.
School District Revenue Bonds-SF 82: This bill would require that revenue bonds by school districts for infrastructure would need to go before the voters for a vote just as general obligation bonds are.
Election Bill-SF 94: Includes a Safe at Home Confidentiality Program Update, Bans Ranked Choice Voting, Bans Ballot Drop Boxes, and Requires Voter ID number be put on the affidavit envelope of the absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are to be delivered to the courthouse by 5 pm the day before Election Day and recorded as received by Midnight that night. A person standing for election cannot be in the voting booth with a voter. SOS required to contract with a third-party vendor to help identify ineligible voters on the voter rolls.
Opt-In for Sex Ed.-SF 115: This bill says schools must get prior written consent from parents for students to attend sex ed. classes or conferences. Full disclosure applies to curriculum and conference content. Procedures for inspecting curriculum and materials used must be provided to parents.
Obscene Performances-SF 116: Establishes criminal offenses for exposing a minor child to an obscene performance, prohibits obscene performances using public facilities and funds, and removes the exemptions from the obscenity laws for libraries and educational institutions.
Drug Prescribing/Dispensing Authority-SF 117: Health boards are prohibited from restricting the normal and long-held prescribing authority and prescription-filling authority of a doctor or pharmacist. They also cannot subject them to disciplinary action for acting according to their best professional judgment.
Disaster Emergency Reform-SF 118:
- A governor’s disaster proclamation should only be in effect for 60 days and only be able to be extended by the legislature. If the legislature extends it, it can be for up to 60 days but the legislature would need to authorize any further extension, which shall not exceed 60-day increments.
- If the legislature is not in session, the legislative council may extend the proclamation only once and it shall not exceed 60 days. Any additional action may only be taken by the general assembly.
- The legislature or the legislative council has the authority to line item veto provisions of a governor’s proclamation.
- A proclamation cannot:
- Infringe on a constitutionally protected right
- Restrict rights, interests or activities in a manner that is not neutral or evenly applicable, example: you cannot close some businesses and not others
- Prohibit in-person interactions between family or pastor with a patient in a hospital or resident in a nursing home
- Authorize use of mobile, cellular, or any other digital technologies to track or surveil persons without their consent
- Restrict the practice or scope of service of a health care professional or hospital, or clinic
- Require participation in a contact tracing program
- Require diagnostic tests, vaccinations, quarantine or treatment of healthy people. If sick, they cannot be required to take a vaccination or a treatment but can be required to be quarantined. The quarantine period cannot last longer than the incubation period of the disease. Medical and religious exemptions apply. Mandatory restrictions on freedom of movement and freedom of association are prohibited unless a person is sick or a warrant obtained.
- Individuals can share evidence-based information and experiences on the HHS website.
- Medical and religious exemptions for vaccinations required for attendance at public schools during a disaster emergency are restored.
Eminent Domain-SF 136:
- A 90% threshold for voluntary sign-up for an easement is required to exercise the power of eminent domain.
- Damages can be collected permanently on loss of crop yield, soil compaction, damage to irrigation and drainage, and damage to soil or water conservation structures.
- If the land is not properly restored the landowner can file a complaint with the IUC seeking civil penalties.
- Counties can pass setback and safety requirements that exceed federal and state guidelines.
- The Iowa Utilities Commission is prohibited from issuing permits that allow the power of eminent domain to be exercised until a company obtains all other permits.
- The IUC is prohibited from issuing permits that allow the power of eminent domain to be exercised until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) updates its regulations governing hazardous pipelines to include emergency preparedness and response.
- The pipeline companies must get landowner/tenant consent to survey private land.
- Harassment protection for landowners is provided against pipeline companies. The pipeline company is limited to 2 communications per month and must get signed, witnessed, and notarized permission from the landowner to exceed that number. A violation is punishable by a civil penalty of $1000 per violation and is to be remitted to the landowner.
- It is required for public disclosure of the identity of pipeline investors if the power of eminent domain is sought.
- 10.Hazardous liquid pipeline companies must release their plume modeling studies when applying for a permit allowing them to use the power of eminent domain.
Bills that are “A-Buzz”
Moratorium on Building Casinos-SF 76: Companion bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate to put a 5-year moratorium on building any more casinos in Iowa.
Make Minnesota Iowa Again: A bill in the Senate proposes to add the bottom tier of 9 counties on the Minnesota side of the Minnesota-Iowa border to the state of Iowa. The reasoning is that those counties were at least in part originally part of Iowa when it was a territory and they are all agricultural states, which fit more in with Iowa, which is a strong agricultural state. It is felt that the residents of those counties would benefit by the lower taxes and regulations in Iowa as compared to Minnesota. On the other hand, I would think both states would have to agree and I am skeptical Minnesota would agree…..and the price tag would probably be extremely high. We’ll see where this goes…..
