The Voice of Iowa Business

July 07, 2017

Legislative News

Rulemaking process in full swing

Several legislative proposals that passed during the 2017 session now require new administrative rules by state agencies, and ABI's public policy staff is closely monitoring and participating in the rulemaking process.

The Property Assessment Appeals Board (PAAB) is drafting rules to implement a reform bill that ABI supported and was passed at the end of the session. Click here to review the rule, then provide your feedback to Jessica Harder, jharder@iowaabi.org , by Wednesday, July 12.

Allows amendments to appeals within 20 days of filing
For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, new grounds in addition to those set out in the protest to the local board of review may be pleaded
For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, when the appellant offers competent evidence that the market value of the property is different than the market value determined by the assessor, the burden of proof shifts to officials or persons seeking to uphold the valuation
If the board reduces an assessment following a contested case hearing, the board's final agency action shall notify the appellant of its right to elect to be refunded for taxes already paid by filing a motion with the board, within 10 days of the board's final agency action. If the appellant does not timely file a motion for refund, any change in taxes resulting from the assessment reduction shall be credited toward future tax payments.
Makes changes to the issuance of subpoenas and allows the board to refuse to issue a subpoena for certain reasons
Allows anyone to request a copy of the hearing recording at their expense, not just a transcript

Committee Spotlight: Environment

Leading up to our ABI policy committee meetings in late summer, we will highlight each of ABI's five policy committees, so you know more about the mission and purview of each committee. These committees steer the direction of ABI's policy agenda each legislative session. To sign up for a public policy committee, email Dorothy Knowles,

dknowles@iowaabi.org . Click here to see all the upcoming committee meetings and to register.

Environment Committee Mission Statement:

To inform members about state and federal environmental legislation, regulations and policy. ABI advocates for environmental legislation and regulations based on sound science in an effort to eliminate burdensome provisions. ABI promotes common sense practices and resources while supporting business and industry growth improving the quality of life for all Iowans.

Current Chair: Mick Durham, Grain Processing Corporation

Issues handled by this committee:

Water issues
Air quality
Funding for environmental protection
Environmental regulation
Recycling

Recent Successes:

The environment committee is ABI's largest and most active policy committee.

ABI helped negotiate a compromise on air permitting costs in 2015 and continues to engage in discussions on air quality funding and streamlining of DNR air permitting processes.
ABI is engaged in water quality legislative and regulatory discussions, ensuring industry is included at the table on issues like antidegradation and nutrient reduction.

Next Meeting:

Looking to 2018, the committee will work on its legislative and regulatory policies and direction for the future. The meeting is set for August 17 at ABI. Click here to register.

Leopold and Matson drop out of gubernatorial race

Rich Leopold and Mike Matson have both recently ended their campaigns for the Democratic nomination for governor. Leopold, a former Iowa Department of Natural Resources director and the first candidate to declare for the Democratic nomination, cited fundraising challenges and the difficulty running as an outsider in a field of mostly political insiders as reasons for ending his campaign. Matson, a Davenport alderman and teacher, suspended his campaign earlier this month, also citing fundraising concerns. There are still at least seven candidates who have declared or are exploring a run for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Read more:

Democrat Rich Leopold drops out of Iowa governor's race (USA TODAY)

Davenport Democrat drops out of governor's race (Des Moines Register)

If you're interested in receiving even more in-depth political content, ABI has begun publishing a new quarterly newsletter, which goes out exclusively to IIPAC donors. It is packed with political insights and updates from ABI's policy team that you don't want to miss. Make your IIPAC contribution now so you can receive this exclusive content.

EMS industry group workshop scheduled for July 19

The Department of Natural Resources will host an EMS industry group workshop on July 19, titled "EMS In Depth: Nonconformity, Corrective & Preventive Actions and Transitioning your ISO EMS to the 2015 Standard." The workshop will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott in Ankeny. It will focus on addressing nonconformity issues including developing corrective and preventative actions. This workshop will also provide information and direction related to successfully transitioning your ISO EMS to the new 2015 standard. The workshop runs from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm and the cost is $135. A flier, agenda and registration form can be found here .

Nominate a manufacturing leader now!

On Sept. 19, 2017, Elevate Advanced Manufacturing will recognize five outstanding leaders in manufacturing at its third Legends in Manufacturing awards dinner. Nominees for the first four categories should be individuals who are/were key company leaders, past or present.

Nominees for the Manufacturing Champion award should be individuals or organizations not directly engaged in manufacturing activities, but whose activities support the industry as a whole.

Award categories include:

Under 100 employees
100-300 employees
300-plus employees
Posthumous Awardee (a manufacturing legend now deceased)
Manufacturing Champion (a supporter of manufacturing - company or individual)

The deadline to make your nominations is July 21. Click here to fill out a nomination form.

From the Desk of...

July 1 marks beginning of new year at ABI

Mike Ralston, President, Iowa Association of Business and Industry

On Saturday, ABI began a new fiscal year. As I note every year, the date is much more than a simple accounting mark.

July is important to ABI, because it provides the opportunity to take stock of the year past and prepare for success in the year ahead. First, did we meet the charge from the ABI Board of Directors to be fiscally responsible? Did we meet our financial goals during the past year and are we well established for the year ahead? Second and just as important, did we meet our programming goals? Is ABI serving members and providing resources that help improve member companies' bottom line?

The answers to those questions better be in the affirmative. Each ABI member company has countless demands for support, with more arriving every day. For ABI to deserve your investment, our organization better be providing value. It is that focus that is the goal all year at ABI, but especially every July 1.

Speaking of programming, it never stops, of course. Summer is a very busy time for ABI (and the ABI Foundation) programs and events. Upcoming events include the Okoboji Connecting Statewide Leaders Event, policy committee meetings, IIPAC work, Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa University, board orientations and executive committee meetings; all of these and so much more are a part of summer work at ABI. Keep reading...