State Committees moving forward on proposed bills Part 2

(This is a continuation of the first article with the same name...too much information for one posting the website says!)

House GOP Keeps Promises on EMS

There has been a growing concern through Iowa, especially in rural counties and communities, about the access to emergency medical services. A common misconception is that emergency medical services are considered an essential service under the Iowa Code. They are not. However, it is currently an option for counties to choose to make it an essential service. Under current law, county supervisors may offer for voter approval a local option income surtax or an ad valorem property tax. Additionally, if it is considered an essential service, it has to be re-approved every five years.

House Study Bill 631/HF 2434 makes significant changes to the emergency medical services chapter (IA Code 422D). The first change that it makes allows the county board of supervisors to declare EMS an essential service without calling for an election to approve this decision. EMS advocates believe that this will greatly reduce the burden and cost of declaring EMS an essential service.

This bill also gets rid of the five-year sunset that required the voters to re-approve emergency medical services. This gives the voters the option to end EMS as an essential service only under a reverse referendum. EMS advocates have complained that they are uncomfortable purchasing equipment if after only five years the service could not be renewed.

A new requirement under this bill is that a county that adopts EMS as an essential service shall create an EMS Advisory Council to develop how the EMS program will be structured and work throughout the county. Current law only allows counties to enter into 28E agreements with other counties. This bill removes that barrier and allows counties to enter into 28E agreements with other entities besides just counties.

Currently, in the Health and Human Services Budget there is $303,000 that is appropriated to the Emergency Medical Services Fund. The money is divided equally amongst the counties. Also, Iowa Code 422D.6(3) lays out an enumerated list of items that these funds could be spent on. This bill changes that to include any operational cost. In addition to the above-mentioned changes to emergency medical services, House Study Bill 508/House File 2224 appropriates the revenue received by sports wagering (estimated between $2-3 million) to the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund.

Transportation Funnel Survivors

Transportation Committee passed 16 bills ahead of the first funnel deadline. These bills impact transportation in Iowa in a variety of ways. The following bills passed out of House Transportation, nearly all of them on a bipartisan basis.

HF 2004 - Rumble Strip Requirement

This bill requires rumble strips to be installed at all crossings of a primary highway.

Status: House Calendar

HF2234/HF 2020 - Radio Operators Blackout Plate

This bill allows the radio operator plate to be used on the blackout plate design.

Status: Ways and Means

HF 2033 - Transfer of Jurisdiction

This bill requires a minimum standard of condition before roads and bridges are transferred by the DOT to local jurisdiction.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2079 - Flying Our Colors License Plate

This bill authorizes a special license plate with the "flying our colors" design. Fees received by the license plate are directed to the flood mitigation board for three years.

Status: Ways and Means

HF 2097 - Adult Changing Stations

This bill requires the DOT to install and maintain adult changing stations in state rest areas.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2119 - Hands-Free Use

This bill prohibits the use of cell phones or other electronic communications device unless it is in a hands-free or voice-activated mode. Exceptions exist for emergency situations and public safety officers performing official duties. There is a $100 fine for a violation

Status: House Calendar

HF 2194 - School License Age

This bill increases the age a person is eligible for a school license now age 14 to age 15.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2310/HSB 525 - Oversized Load Permits

This bill repeals the requirement to have a permit for the transportation of hay, straw, stover, etc.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2235/HSB 541 - Human Trafficking

This bill brings state law in compliance with federal regulations establishing that a human trafficking conviction results in a lifetime ban of receiving a CDL.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2311/HSB 542 - Odometer Requirements

This bill brings state law in compliance with federal regulations extending back the vehicle manufacture date for odometer inspections.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2360/HSB 563 - Automatic Renewal of Driver's License

This bill extends the upper age 72 to age 78 for the renewal of a driver's license for eight years.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2479/HSB 665 - Independent Contractor Truck Drivers

This bill clarifies that an independent contractor who owns their vehicle or has a lease to own arrangement is not considered an employee for workers comp, wage collection, minimum wage, or unemployment compensation requirements.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2476/HSB 640 - Timber Buyers

This bill updates that law to protect the integrity of the timber harvested in Iowa, by updating the requirement for transporters carrying paperwork that must be provided to the DNR upon request. This paperwork will satisfy international requirements for ensuring the integrity of the timber being sold and transported.

Status: House Calendar

HF 2409/HSB 630 - Electric Bicycles

This bill creates a framework to provide for the definition and operation of electric bicycles in the state.

Status: Ways and Means

HF 2408/HSB 526 - Auto Dealers

This bill clarifies the process for returning vehicle registration plates. It also allows the documentary fee to be annually indexed to inflation. In addition, it makes clear that the manufacturer must provide the dealer with reasonable and adequate time allowance to perform warranty work.

Status: Ways and Means

HF 2260 - Four-Lane Bypass

If a four-lane bypass is proposed around a municipality of 10,000 or less, there must be a public hearing and any bypass must also provide access or interchanges along the route to allow for sufficient emergency medical service access along the route.

Status: Passed House Transportation

Veterans Affairs Funnel Survivors

Here is a list of bills that survived funnel week in Veterans Affairs:

House File 2382/ House Study Bill 560 - Confidential Veteran Information

Currently, county recorders are able to provide the names and addresses of veterans who are receiving disabled veteran tax credits, this bill removes that ability and protects the confidentiality of these records.