In This Issue
State Policy Update
Legislation
Important Dates

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March 16, 2018 

State Policy Update 
Second Funnel
The second funnel is today, Friday, March 16th, and it is one of a few deadlines set in place to keep the legislative process moving. By this date, bills must have been passed out of committee from both chambers in order to continue in the legislative process. For instance,  Senate files must be passed out of their Senate committee and the House committee. House files must be passed out of their House committee and the Senate committee.

If bills are not passed out of committee in both chambers, they are considered "dead" and cannot be debated or voted on. Exceptions to this rule are Appropriations bills, Ways and Means bills, government oversight bills, bills filed as unfinished business, and bills from leadership.
Legislation
House File 2321 Relates to the duties of the department of workforce development regarding criminal history checks and certain  state unemployment insurance law matters. Passed by House on March 5, 2018 and referred to Senate Committee on Labor and Business Relations. Passed out of committee. 

House File 2458 creates the Future Ready Iowa Act to strengthen workforce development by establishing a registered apprenticeship development program, a volunteer mentoring program, Future Ready Iowa skilled workforce scholarship programs, and other initiatives.  Passed by House on March 13, 2018 and placed on the Senate calendar as unfinished business.

Senate File 2272 Relates to community college accreditation. Passed by Senate on February 27, 2018. Referred to House Education Committee. Passed House subcommittee but was not voted on by full committee before second funnel. 
 
Senate File 2353 Related to the membership and duties of the state and local workforce development boards and related responsibilities of the department of workforce development. Passed by Senate on February 28, 2018 and referred to House Labor Committee.  Passed out of committee.
Important Dates
March 16           Second Funnel
Final date for Senate bills to be passed out of House committees and House bills to be passed out of Senate committees.

April 17              Target Adjournment Date
100th calendar day of the session and the date per-diem expenses will end.

This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to workforce issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Michelle Rich at mrich@sppg.com.