Week 2 of the Legislative Session is in the Books
The Iowa General Assembly wrapped up week two of the 2022 legislative session Thursday. Legislators have filed dozens of bills and have begun to move legislation through subcommittees and full committees. ABI attended a few subcommittees this week which you can read about below. 

A key priority for ABI is workforce, which includes unemployment insurance reform. During the governor’s Condition of the State address last week, she announced an all encompassing workforce bill that will include provisions that seek to remake Iowa’s unemployment insurance system into a re-employment system. The bill has yet to be unveiled. ABI is very supportive of these proposals and will work to enact them. 
Governor Unveils Tax Bill
SF 496: Prohibition of Low Wage Noncompete Agreements
ABI members may remember public policy staff reports last year of non-compete agreements legislation moving in the Iowa Senate. Legislators introduced the bill to stop the trend of some nationwide fast food companies placing employees in agreements and making it a breach of the contract if the employee left one low-wage fast food business for another. ABI worked to limit the bill to address only these limited circumstances without effect on non-compete agreements where appropriate. The legislation, SF496, can be found here and has advanced to the House Commerce Committee. As a refresher, the bill passed the Senate 45-0 last legislative session and was referred to a committee in the House. Since Iowa has a two-year General Assembly, the bill starts in the House this year and does not need to pass the Senate again, unless there are changes made in the House.
SF 355: Employer Providing Employee a Copy of Personnel File
A bill the Senate State Government Committee passed last year, but was ultimately referred back to committee, was SF 355. SF 355 requires an employer to give an employee one copy of their personnel file without charge if the employee requests it. The legislation allows the employer to provide the personnel file by electronic means. It passed out of subcommittee with recommendation for an amendment. ABI is neutral on the bill.
First ABI Update of Legislative Session via Zoom This Morning
If you haven't RSVP'd for this morning’s 8:00 am CT legislative update, there is still time. Email Brad Hartkopf for the link to this week’s legislative update. Every other week during the legislative session, ABI’s public policy team will host virtual updates to provide the latest insight from the Iowa Capitol. These off the record meetings are exclusive to ABI members. Members will have a chance to ask questions, learn about legislation and issues affecting business and industry and stay updated on the legislative process.

Members can find the dates for each legislative update call on ABI’s events page. Please contact Michelle Vollstedt to register.
Federal Spotlight
Federal Spotlight: Funding for Iowa Bridges
Iowa is expected to receive $86.4 million from the recent infrastructure law, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. These funds are part of a more than $5 billion package directed towards repairing bridges. According to the National Bridge Inventory published by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, Iowa has 4,571 structurally deficient bridges in the state. Federal transportation officials note there are more than 45,000 bridges nationally in poor condition. ABI was very supportive of the bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act which was recently signed into law by President Biden. ABI appreciates U.S. Senator Charles Grassley and Congresswoman Cindy Axne for voting in favor of the bill.
Watch: Weekly Business Report
ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain and ABI Director of Marketing and Communications Kelsey Smith promote BuyABI.
Thank you, again to our 2022 Legislative Briefing and Reception Sponsors!
ABI FOUNDATION
Leadership Iowa enjoyed an exciting week last week with both current and past participants. The current class convened in Des Moines for their government session and were invited to attend the 2022 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception. In addition, program alumni took part in the 2nd annual LI NEXT alumni session.

On Wednesday evening, the program celebrated 40 years, with nearly 150 program alumni and current class members in attendance.
The event included the introduction of a new annual award: the Lifetime Alumni Society Member Award. This award recognizes an individual who has not taken part in the program, but has demonstrated tremendous leadership in Iowa and extraordinary support of the Leadership Iowa program. The inaugural award was presented to John McCarroll, the first director of Leadership Iowa when the program began in 1982.
FROM THE DESK OF LORIE DAVIS
Lori Davis, Vice President and
Senior Commercial Relationship Manager
Top Industries For CRE Growth
The commercial real estate (CRE) industry is beginning to make a strong comeback despite continuing uncertainty due to the pandemic and other factors.

The rate at which some industries financially recovered and have prepared for new opportunities looks different for various sectors and markets. In terms of buying new locations, increased rent collection and similar factors, we’re seeing the strongest comebacks within CRE for industrial/e-commerce warehousing, medical practices, grocery and pharmacy. Here’s a closer look at each.
Industrial/E-Commerce Warehousing
According to CBRE, e-commerce accounts for almost 9% of all retail sales in the United States. It has also been growing exponentially faster than brick and mortar retail for over a decade. This transition means the modern warehouse must be designed and built to store a significant amount of goods and deliver them to the consumer quickly.

The uptick in warehousing needs is not confined to a few markets. It’s evident in almost all markets – large and small. Any businesses that use warehouses and are lacking sufficient modern logistics facilities have the potential to expand and improve to keep pace with this rising demand.
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