Government : Week in Wrap Week 13

Week thirteen was filled with debate, especially on bills that have been amended by the House and sent back to the Senate for consideration. Additionally, we have been working on confirming gubernatorial appointees, a distinct responsibility of the Senate. Annually, the governor selects individuals to lead departments or serve on boards and commissions. Senators speak with these candidates to examine their qualifications, objectives, and motivations for seeking these positions, like a standard job interview. Securing confirmation in the Iowa Senate requires a two-thirds majority vote, meaning at least 34 senators need to approve for successful confirmation.

This week, among the bills under debate, Senate File 2401 aims to support farmers and the agricultural sector in our state. Originating in 1986 during the farm crisis, the Grain Indemnity Fund functions similarly to an insurance policy for grain stored at elevators. Currently, all grain dealers and warehouse operators are mandated to engage in the Grain Indemnity Fund, paying fees on purchased or stored grain. Should the fund surpass $8 million by the fiscal year's end, fees are waived; however, if the fund balance drops below $3 million, the Grain Indemnity Fund Board reinstates these fees. Senate File 2401 proposes adjusting these thresholds to $12 million and $5 million, respectively, while also extending coverage to credit sale contracts. Last year, the Grain Indemnity Fund depleted due to various factors, requiring the reinstatement of fees. This bill seeks to update these figures to better align with today's economic landscape, with the goal of preventing additional fees on farmers moving forward.

In recent weeks, there's been a lot of talk about the different hemp and CBD products being sold in Iowa. House File 2605 is only about making rules for Iowa's hemp law. It doesn't change the law for medical cannabidiol, which can still be used for things like seizures and epilepsy, chronic pain, and PTSD. This bill addresses products that are currently unregulated. The Department of Public Safety contributed to this bill's creation due to their concerns about products on the market with THC in them. House File 2605 says these products can only have a small amount of THC per serving and per container. It also says the containers must have labels telling people about the risks and can't be sold to anyone under 21. The goal of this bill is to make it clearer what's hemp, what's CBD, and what's part of the medical cannabis program. Additionally, it gives police officers clearer definitions for enforcement. The Iowa Senate voted 31-18 to pass this bill.

The Senate approved HF 2487 on Tuesday. This bill updates regulations regarding teacher-student relationships by including a clear definition and banning teachers from grooming students. Unfortunately, such incidents happen, and it's crucial for the law to evolve to safeguard Iowa students' safety at school. The bill now goes back to the House for their review and approval of the changes made by the Senate. The Iowa Senate also approved Senate Joint Resolution 2004 on Tuesday, proposing the inclusion of a flat tax provision in the Iowa Constitution. This resolution is a constitutional amendment requiring approval from two consecutive General Assemblies before being presented to the people of Iowa for a vote. If approved, the constitutional amendment would establish a single tax rate in the constitution, ensuring uniform taxation for all Iowans and raising the bar for reinstating a graduated tax rate.

I encourage my constituents to contact me using my legislative email with any comments, questions, or concerns. I look forward to another great week of representing the people of District 42!