Week 4-January 30-February 3

The Senate took up their 3% state supplemental aid (SSA) increase for public schools on Thursday afternoon. This is usually one of the first big pieces of legislation that moves through the capitol so schools can start budgeting for the next year. The House is excepted to vote on this next week and send it Governor Reynolds.

Trucker tort reform passed out of the House Judiciary committee this week and will be eligible for floor debate next week. The bill caps non-economic damages at $1 million dollars. The Senate version of the bill had its subcommittee on Thursday and will continue the process next week.

The Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) department bill was introduced this week and passed out of House subcommittee. This bill contains changes IDALS hopes to make to address issues they've been made aware of in the last year. Included in the bill is language to allow state licensed warehouses to issue warehouse receipts on grain held in open storage only when requested by the producer. Currently, grain held in open storage for more than a year must be issued a non-negotiable warehouse receipt. Federally licensed warehouses do not currently have this requirement. IIC offered an amendment to change the current 12-month maximum time line on credit sale contracts to 15 months. This amendment was accepted by the subcommittee and will be voted on in the House Ag committee in the coming weeks.

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 subcommittee has not been scheduled yet.

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 Ways and Means committee.

SSB 1107 Raw Milk- AGAINST

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

HSB 114 & SSB 1114 Trucker tort reform- FOR

Caps recovery for non-economic damages at $1 million. HSB 114 Passed House Judiciary, now eligible for floor debate. SSB 1114 passed subcommittee, now in Senate Judiciary.

HSB 113 & SSB 1115 IDALS Department bill- FOR

Discussed above. HSB 113 passed subcommittee, now in House Ag committee. SSB 1115 subcommittee has not been scheduled yet.