WEEK 8: 2021 Legislative Session

WEEK 8: 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

State Update

CENTRAL FILING: SF 486 OPPOSE

Moved out of the Senate State Government Committee last week
Senators supporting farmers: Bisignano, Boulton, Celsi, Jochum and Goodwin
Introduced by the Iowa Bankers Assn and Wells Fargo
Bank lobbyists are saying they cannot send paper notices to all possible buyers because farmers can load a semi and deliver anywhere and they don't know where to send paper notices
This bill includes ALL farm products (anything grown in the ground or on a tree/vine/bush, excluding timber and all livestock and aquaculture) and would require local sale barns, meat processors, grain buyers, grocers, etc. to check a central filing system before issuing payment to each farmer

THANK YOU to members who have continued working on this bill.

Your communications are effective and they're making a difference!

Watch comments from the Senate State Government Committee, including Senator Jason Schultz (R- Schleswig) talking about co-ops.

In Case You Were Wondering...

Where is this bill at in the legislative process?

We are on step 6 of 10-- click on the button below to see next steps in the process
There is a long way to go before this bill is passed by both chambers and sent to the Governor, but we are taking nothing for granted

BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAM: HSB 133/SF 390- SUPPORT: Passed out of House IT Committee with an amendment

The Governor's broadband bill provides a tiered approach to grant funding based on current broadband access/capabilities and has speed requirements (below has been revised to reflect the recent House amendment)
Tier 1: areas with less than 25/3 mbps speed available
Minimum 20% of grant funds must go to this tier to serve difficult areas
100/100 buildout is eligible for a 75% match
100/20 buildout is eligible for a 50% match
Tier 2: areas with 25/3 to 50 down with no upload target
100/100 buildout is eligible for a 50% match
Tier 3: areas with 50 to 80 mpbs (no upload target)
100/100 buildout is eligible for a 50% match

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT: HF460- SUPPORT

Would allow RECs to trim and cut trees near powerlines to provide reliable service

PRIZE-LINKED SAVINGS:HF 359- SUPPORT

Allows awards incentivizing and gamifying savings for Iowans at all lending institutions

THE GOVERNOR'S RENEWABLE FUEL BILL: SF 549- MONITORING

Thank you to Jake Swanson, in the Governor's office, for having an open door for discussions
This appears to be an ongoing work in progress with several amendments being discussed