ABI Releases Job Crushers List
Each legislative session, several pieces of legislation are filed in both chambers that would negatively affect how businesses operate here in the state. This year is no exception, and ABI is releasing its annual list of Job Crushers bills, drawing attention to the negative impact that several proposed legislative bills would have on Iowa’s job climate. We will regularly release Job Crushers updates as legislation progresses. You can track the status of the bills on
iavotes.com/jobcrushers
or by following
IAVotes
on Facebook and
@iavotes
on Twitter. Don’t forget to join the
ABI legislative update call
tomorrow at 8 a.m. for more information on some of the job-crushing proposals!
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Anti-Business Bills Advance
This week, ABI attended several subcommittees on behalf of ABI members and spoke about the effect of proposals on Iowa’s business climate.
HF 298,
legislation that would increase costs and restrict the ability of staffing agencies to do business in Iowa with nursing facilities, advanced in a Human Resources subcommittee. Thursday afternoon ABI attended a subcommittee on
SF 234
regarding adoption leave being the same as maternity leave. The ABI public policy team talked about some of the challenges and differences with the type of benefits ABI members have for employees. Senator Zaun, the sponsor of the legislation, committed to working with ABI and others to come to a solution all interests can support.
ABI also attended and spoke against
SF 213
, which relates to employees bringing weapons to the employer’s property. The legislation includes volunteers and contractors under the definition of employer and does not provide any liability protection. ABI was one of the few organizations that spoke in opposition. The legislation advanced and is expected to move through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House has a more expansive
proposal
regarding weapons on certain premises, and we expect to see a subcommittee on that bill soon. Both of the bills have the potential to advance, as the bills are a priority for second amendment supporters.
Subcommittee Advances E-Notary Legislation
A Senate subcommittee held a hearing on Monday afternoon to consider
SSB 1116
, which is a bill that would legalize electronic notaries here in Iowa. ABI is registered in support of the legislation, as it would streamline the process and increase the efficiency of certain transactions, such as real estate closings. Some concerns were raised with the bill including the effective date and how records would be retained, but all three members of the subcommittee signed off with recommendation of an amendment.
Iowa Business Day on Hill is March 13
Iowa Business Day on the Hill is less than one month away! ABI and other statewide business organizations have joined together to provide members with a comprehensive legislative update and have members advocate at the Iowa Capitol for policies that are positive to the jobs climate. With so much at stake this legislative session, it is important for members to attend this high-value event. ABI, NFIB, NAWBO and the Iowa Chamber Alliance have also invited a guest speaker to join us for the morning portion. We hope to announce the speaker soon.
Register now.
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Governor Joins American Workforce Policy Advisory Board
On Wednesday, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump announced Gov. Reynolds had been appointed to serve on the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. The governor will work alongside leaders from the business community, educational institutes, and state and local government officials as the board looks to create and implement strategies that will better prepare the American workforce for 21st-century challenges.
Read more
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Federal Spotlight: USMCA Trade Deal Key to Iowa Economy
As Congress potentially considers the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this spring or summer, now is the time to encourage members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation to approve the trade pact. The accord was signed last November by the leaders of the U.S., Mexico and Canada and is set to replace NAFTA.
Read more
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Federal Spotlight: Date for Public Hearing on WOTUS Unveiled
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced a public hearing on the newly revised Water of the United States (WOTUS) rule will take place on Feb. 27 and 28 in Kansas City, Kansas. The hearing was previously scheduled to take place last month, but was delayed due to the partial government shutdown. The deadline to register for the hearing is Feb. 21.
Learn more about the rule
, and
register to provide public comments
.
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Connecting Statewide Leaders is April 4; Registration Now Open
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Connecting Statewide Leaders is coming to Cedar Falls/Waterloo on April 4. Join ABI members, Leadership Iowa alumni, community leaders and the Leadership Iowa class for an engaging conversation about education. A networking lunch will follow the program.
Learn more and register
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Iowa State Sales Tax Reform, Effective January 1, 2019
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David Weber
Principal
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
On May 30, 2018, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2417 (SF 2417), which clarifies what kinds of companies are required to collect and remit sales tax, due to the U.S. Supreme Court overruling of Quill Corp v. North Dakota. The thresholds included in the Iowa state tax reform bill applies to companies that sell $100,000 or more of products and services, or make 200 or more separate sales transactions within the state of Iowa annually.
Read more
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Dickinson Law to Host Third-party Ag Liens Webinar on Feb. 27
ACS and PTC Partnership Launch Party Featuring IoT and AR Solutions
Join ACS and PTC for their partnership launch party, Feb. 27, 5-7 p.m., at
ACS headquarters in Urbandale. While there, discover how they're bringing groundbreaking technologies–
internet of things (IoT) and augmented reality (AR)–to Iowa. Highlights include a sneak peak of PTC's ThingWorx Platform and Augmented Reality Platform, an opportunity to meet the experts and a prize drawing. Learn more about the
launch party
. Also, read a
news release
about the new partnership and how ACS is building upon the Iowa Governor's manufacturing initiatives.
Seminar for Top Decision-makers is April 26 in Clinton
Every business faces peaks and valleys as it progresses through stages of growth. Do you know what stage your business is in and how you can reach the next level? Attend a valuable seminar, The Journey to Your Vision, April 26 in Clinton, to help stack the odds in your favor by understanding the stages of business growth, their unique challenges and methods to overcome them.
Learn more
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