Week 6-February 13-17

Snowstorms and wind toward the end of the legislative week cut business a little short this week, but the legislature is still pushing ahead on big issues. With medical malpractice tort reform done and signed by the governor on Thursday, the legislature is now turning to another of the governor's priorities. In her Condition of the State, Governor Reynolds stated that she had a plan to cut the 37 cabinet level agencies down to 16 to streamline state government and save an estimated $215 million dollars. The bill to tackle this is over 1500 pages long and will require multiple subcommittee meetings to tackle it. Read more about the bill here.

IIC hosted our legislative reception and day at the capitol this week. Even with the pending snowstorm, many members made the trip to Des Moines to speak with their legislators about issues important to the coop system.

Members heard from Attorney General Brenna Bird as she starts her new role. Bird updated the group on actions she's taking on behalf of Iowa and Iowa farmers.

We also heard from Senators Kerry Gruenhagen (R-Walcott) and Dan Zumbach (R-Ryan), both farmers and members of the Senate ag committee. They laid out some of the issues they're seeing including pipelines, solar panel placements, and educating legislators with a non-ag background.


This was the first year we hosted an evening legislative reception open to all legislators and we are very happy with the number of legislators who stopped by to discuss issues with members.


We had the opportunity to meet with Speaker Pat Grassley Thursday morning and hear how he thinks session is moving.


We also had the opportunity to talk with Sec. of Agriculture Mike Naig for a short time about ag issues and the upcoming spring planting season.

Thank you to the members who attended and a big thank you to Land O'Lakes for their continued sponsorship of legislative events.

IIC bill declarations

This list is the positions IIC has taken on various bills at the statehouse following our Policy Resolutions voted on at the 2022 annual meeting.


HF 131 (Formerly HSB 35) & SSB 1099 Credit Union updates- FOR

This bill makes updates to credit union regulations in Iowa including allowing credit union boards to compensate directors. Right now, credit unions are the only cooperative that is expressly prohibited from compensating directors. HF 131 passed Commerce committee, now eligible for floor debate. SSB 1099 passed subcommittee.


HF 206 (Formerly HSB 67) Aboveground storage tanks property tax- FOR

Expressly states aboveground flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks of any size are not assessed or taxed as real property. Passed House 92-6.


SF 315 (formerly SSB 1107) Raw Milk- AGAINST

Allows for on farm sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products. Passed Senate State Government committee. 


HF 201 (formerly HSB 114) & SF 228 (formerly SSB 1114) Trucker tort reform- FOR

Caps recovery for non-economic damages at $1 million. HF 201 & SF 228 eligible for floor debate.

 

HF 277 (formerly HSB 113) & SF 311 (formerly SSB 1115) IDALS Department bill- FOR

Allows state licensed warehouses to issue warehouse receipts on open storage grain only if requested by depositor. Federal warehouses already have this. Amended to allow credit sale contracts to be written for 15 months rather than 12. HSB 113 passed House Ag committee. SSB 1115 passed Senate Ag committee.

News this week

Iowa House looks to limit eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. How it would work


Lawmakers vote to cushion Iowa property taxpayers from $133M hike as cities eye shortfall


Firearm, fossil fuel boycotts prohibited under Iowa investment strategy bill


Iowa lawmakers ask Biden to make higher ethanol blend available year-round


Legislator: Nuisance animal bill would make farmers ‘honest folks’     

Find your legislator

Please reach out to Rebecca with any questions or comments.

Office:515-292-2667

Cell:712-363-4397

rboyer@iowainstitute.coop