February 7, 2019
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
ABI Advocates for One-week Waiting Period
ABI and its members know and experience Iowa’s workforce shortage more than any other organization. Currently in Iowa, there are more jobs available than people to fill the jobs, including those individuals on unemployment. ABI has long advocated for ensuring the unemployment trust fund is for those individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and should not be used to pay for job training or other policy decisions not related to an employee’s employment status. As part of the workforce priority, ABI seeks to support legislation that ensures Iowa’s trust fund encourages people to get back to work and increase their skills.

A subcommittee was held this week on  HSB 42 , which is Iowa Workforce Development’s policy bill. A section of the omnibus legislation contains language that would enact a one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. ABI attended the meeting and spoke in favor of this specific provision as it would help preserve the integrity of the unemployment trust fund. According to UWC, Iowa is one of just 10 states that does not have a one-week waiting period. Several union organizations were also in attendance and expressed their opposition. The subcommittee members suggested more conversation on this issue, but the three Republican members ultimately signed off and recommended passage of the bill. Read more .

Tax Cleanup Bill Passes Senate Ways and Means
The Senate Ways and Means Committee met on Wednesday to consider two pieces of legislation. Some ABI members might find  SSB 1098  of interest to their business. The legislation, introduced by Chairman Feenstra (R-Hull), would make clear that S Corporations also qualify for Section 179 as passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2018. The department interpreted the legislation to only apply to individuals and partnerships. The bill also extends the benefit to corporations. Read more .

State Joint Employer Legislation Clears Commerce Committee
On Wednesday, the House Commerce Committee took up  HSB 5 , which is a bill relating to the franchisor-franchisee relationship for the purposes of certain unemployment laws. The legislation would restore a more traditional definition of the joint employer standard and provide clarity and consistency for both franchisors and franchisees concerning their relationship. Read more .

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs Onto Letter Opposing Calif. Data Privacy Law
ABI recently joined other business associations in supporting an effort being led by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to encourage other states to not adopt a version of an invasive data privacy law that was recently passed in California. The Golden State approved the California Consumer Privacy Act last year, which was onerous, far-reaching and ushered through the legislative process despite the concerns the business community had with the bill. Read more .

Hot Topics at the Capitol: Sports Betting and Judicial Nominating Commission
There were more than 100 subcommittees held this week on various topics. Two issues that received an enormous amount of spotlight were bills to allow for sports betting and changes to the judicial nominating process. House and Senate subcommittees approved companion bills on Wednesday that would implement a different method for how members of the state and district judicial nominating commissions are selected. Proponents of the bill argue the move would empower regular citizens’ voices, while opponents argue the legislation would further politicize the nominating process. Read more .

ABI Continues Work on Regulatory Reform Priority 
This week, the Senate Commerce Committee passed  SF 25  unanimously, which eliminates the requirement of the Iowa Department of Public Health to certify third-party evaluators for purposes of water filter testing. Iowa is the only state to still have this additional requirement. The bill is now ready for full floor debate. Read more .
ABI UPDATE
ABI to Host Workers' Compensation Seminar on March 27
ABI will host a seminar, Workers' Compensation: Best Practices and Lessons Learned, March 27, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at the ABI office in Des Moines. Topics will include the importance and responsibilities of safety committees, a legal update, reducing recordable injuries in the workplace and understanding the workers' compensation experience mod. Early-bird registration is $75 for ABI members and $90 for not-yet-members if registered by March 14. View the agenda and register .
Next Public Policy Conference Call is Feb. 15
Always be in-the-know about what’s happening with the Iowa Legislature. Join the ABI public policy team all session long for monthly updates via conference call. The next call will be Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. Calls are also scheduled for March 15 and April 5. Email Michelle Vollstedt  to RSVP and request teleconference instructions. The calls, available to members only, are free.
FROM THE DESK OF...
Valuable Events: All Year Long, All Over Iowa
Mike Ralston
President
ABI

Around this time of year, people begin to finalize their plans to attend ABI's annual Taking Care of Business Conference . If you haven't done that yet, you should.

There is no better value in Iowa business meetings than the ABI conference. You will hear terrific speakers, see fabulous venues, and enjoy great food, golf, and fun. More importantly, you will find no better networking anywhere than that you find at the conference. Read more .
MEMBER NEWS
Midwest Growth Partners Announces Key Investment in Maytag Dairy Farms 
Midwest Growth Partners, a West Des Moines-based private equity fund, has announced a major investment in Newton-based Maytag Dairy Farms, a leader in the craft cheese industry. The longtime family owners sought this agreement to ensure the continued success of the company through having hands-on, local and dynamic leadership help guide the direction of the company. Read the full news release .

CLA Manufacturing & Distribution Group to Host CPE Webinar
Join CLA Manufacturing & Distribution Group for a complimentary CPE webinar on Feb. 14 focused on the new revenue recognition standard,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , effective for private companies for annual reporting periods after Dec. 15, 2018. The webcast will cover specific aspects of revenue recognition that affect manufacturers and distributors under the new standard. Learn more and register .

CEC Brings Free Fire Alarm System Training and Education to Des Moines
CEC, a nationally recognized systems and technology integrator in the Midwest, will host a free Decoding Fire Alarm Inspections seminar in Des Moines on Feb. 26 from 12-4 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The seminar will provide information on fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenance. Learn more and register .

Winnebago Industries Announces Strategic Manufacturing Transition for Diesel Motorhome Business
Winnebago Industries, Inc., a leading outdoor lifestyle products manufacturer, announced plans Monday to shift Winnebago-branded Class A diesel motorhome manufacturing from its Junction City, Oregon plant to its manufacturing campus in Forest City, Iowa. Read the full news release .
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