2015 Second Funnel Survivors

Agriculture HF 519/HSB 112-Proposes to impose an assessment of an agricultural theft surcharge of $2,500 on criminal offenses (‘C’ and ‘D’ felonies) involving the theft of crops or livestock, and allocating those surcharges to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Status: Referred to House Appropriations

HF 522/HSB 137- Proposes to extend the number of years that a custom farming contract can be for from 1 to 2-years terms that are eligible for a tax credit executed by the holder of agricultural land and a qualified beginning farmer including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Status: Passed House Ways & Means as Committee Bill

HF 523/HSB 187- Proposes to exempt the sale of honey bees from the imposition of the sales tax and use tax. (Formerly HSB 187) Status: Referred to House Ways & Means

HF 529/HF 401- Proposes to modify provisions relating to drainage and levee districts, by providing for mergers, repairs and improvements, and elections. (Formerly HF 401) Status: On Senate Calendar

HF 575/HSB 209 -Proposes to modify, and eliminate a number of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's administration of certain functions. These include eliminating past dates relating to a determination of Iowa-foaled horse and to the rehabilitation and conservation of land affected by coal mining, providing for payment by the department for the examination of certain articles, allowing the department to adopt by reference certain federal publications affecting milk and milk products, modifying the definition of biobutanol, eliminating departmental duties and fees relating to weights and measures, providing for purchased-grain fees paid into the Iowa grain indemnity fund, and changing the name of the Division of Soil Conservation to the Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the name of its appointed administrative official. Status: Referred to House Ways & Means Committee

HF 578/HF 415 -Proposes to explicitly allow a property owner or person in charge of the property to be present and observe a Department of Natural Resources investigation for an alleged environmental. Status: On Senate Calendar

HF 583/HF 425 -Proposes to add the control of effluent from animal truck wash facilities to the Livestock open feedlot Code chapter 459A, by requiring certain permits, regulating storage and application of effluent, and making penalties applicable. Status: On Senate Calendar

Commerce HF 576 – Broadband Connectivity – The bill creates a 10-year property tax exemption for high-speed Internet investments made areas with relatively slow Internet speeds. It also creates a grant program to help companies expand broadband infrastructure in those areas. Status: House Ways & Means

HF 229 - Internet Buying Club Memberships -The bill removes Internet-based buying club memberships from regulation under Iowa’s buying club memberships laws under Chapter 552A. Status: Passed House, passed Senate Commerce Committee

HF 606 - Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification – The bill establishes a motor vehicle insurance verification system within the DOT, sets penalties for lapsed insurance coverage and establishes administrative requirements for the system. Status: House Ways & Means

HF 395 –PBM Regulatory Enforcement – The bill clarifies that pharmacy benefit managers are regulated by the insurance commissioner and provides mechanisms to enforce that regulation. Status: Signed by the governor

HF 167 – Public Bidding Documents – The bill prohibits government entities from charging a fee to access or download public project contract documents. Status: Signed by the governor.

SF 134 / HF 492 – Bonding for Wine Shipments – The bill loosens requirements of Iowa wine manufacturers to ship their wine to customers, allowing them to forego posting a bond with the ABD in lieu of the bond they already file as a wine manufacturer. Status: Signed by the governor

HF 504 – Electronic Delivery of Insurance Documents – This bill relates to protocols for insurance companies when providing electronic insurance documents to their customers. Status: Passed House, passed Senate Commerce Committee

HF 487 – Portable Electronic Device Insurance – This bill regulates the sale of portable electronic device insurance. Status: House Ways & Means

HF 371 - Radon Testing – The bill would amend an existing portion of the code governing disclosures of radon tests to allow disclosures of test results performed by certified testers on behalf of potential buyers. Status: Signed by the governor.

HF 494 / SF 123 – Powdered Alcohol – The bill adds “powder” or “crystal” alcoholic substances to the list of intoxicating liquor in the code. It then bans the sale, possession, supply or other exchange of that substance by a licensee. Violation of the bill would be a simple misdemeanor and grounds for revocation or suspension of a licensee’s liquor license. Status: Passed House Commerce, Passed Senate

HF 437 / SF 125 – ABD Omnibus – The bill is the Alcoholic Beverages Division’s omnibus bill. Status: Passed House Commerce, Passed Senate

HF 436 / SF 124 – Wine Tax Reporting – The bill establishes filing requirements for reporting and remitting wine gallonage taxes based on what type of license a licensee has. Class “A” wine permit holders will experience no change from their monthly reporting and remitting requirement. But those with a direct shipper license would have a semi-annual filing requirement. The license holder will pay ABD the taxes due at both times the filing is due--once in June and once in December. Status: House Ways & Means, Passed Senate

HF 454 / SF 346 -- Insurance Division Omnibus – This is the Iowa Insurance Division omnibus bill for the year, making various changes to the insurance code. Status: House Ways & Means, Passed Senate

HF 455 -- Corporate Governance of Insurance Companies – The bill adopts the NAIC Model for Corporate Governance, maintaining the Division as an accredited regulator for oversight and financial examinations . Status: Awaiting the governor’s signature

HF 548 / SF 406 – Disconnection Devices for Distributed Generation -- The bill requires an interconnection customer to install a disconnection device within 10 days after receiving authorization from an electric utility to interconnect the new distributed generation facility to a broader distribution system. The customer must also submit the location and information pertaining to the device to the nearest fire department. The fire departments must maintain a registry of information concerning the devices in order to appropriately respond to emergency situations in areas where the devices may be located. Status: Passed House, on Senate Unfinished Business Calendar

HF 556 – Cell Siting – The bill regulates the application process for political subdivisions concerning cell phone infrastructure siting and modifications. Status: House Ways & Means

HF 607 / SF 236 – Public Utilities Rights of Way – The bill expands the definition of public utility regarding provisions governing public utility crossings of railroad right-of-ways. Status: House Unfinished Business Calendar, Senate Unfinished Business Calendar

Economic Growth HF 285 / SF 217 – Iowa Finance Authority’s Shelter Assistance Fund – The bill makes changes to authorized expenditures and procedures concerning IFA’s Shelter Assistance Fund. Status: Awaiting the governor’s signature

HF 385 / SF 233 -- Iowa Economic Development Authority Omnibus – The bill makes various changes to programs within and pertaining to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. It also creates a fund within the IEDA to help cities fund the acquisition and demolition of nuisance properties. Status: House Ways & Means

HF 555 / SF 350 – Chemical Production Tax Credit, Angel Investor Credit Reforms – The bill creates a renewable chemical production tax credit and makes reforms to the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program. It also reforms the Entrepreneur Assistance Program. Status: House Ways & Means / Senate Ways & Means

Education HF 80/81 – Supplemental State Aid FY16, Regular Program and Categorical HF 80 sets the regular program supplemental state aid (SSA) growth rate for FY16 at 1.25%. HF 81 sets the categorical supplemental state aid growth rate for FY16 at 1.25%

Regular program = school’s general aid budget from the school funding formula. Categorical Supplements = special purpose appropriations intended for specific purposes, includes the Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS), Professional development funding, the Early Intervention Block Grant (also called class-size reduction funding), and the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) system.

Increase Regular Program $18.5 million AEAs $16.9 million Preschool $3.2 million Property Tax Replacement $5.6 million Teacher Salary Supp. (TSS) (District and AEA) $5.1 million Professional Development (PD) (District and AEA) $0.6 million Early Intervention (Class-size) $0.6 million Teacher Leadership (TLC) $50.2 million Total State Aid $99.8 million *

Status: Died in the Second Funnel (note, SF 171/172 on the same subject are in Conference Committee)

HF 123 – BOEE Director Appointment Correction The Executive Director (ED) of the Board of Educational Examiners was previously hired by the Board. This changed in 2012 when the legislature passed Senate File 2284, 2012’s “Education Reform” bill. The bill required that the ED be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. This bill is corrective in nature, simply drafted to remove the Board requirement that they hire an ED, which was left in statute in error. Status: Signed by the Governor March 5, 2015

HF 282 / SF 131 – Board of Educational Examiners Background checks Requires the Board of Educational Examiners, when conducting a background check on licensure applicants, to also check Iowa Courts online. Status: Substituted for SF 131, SF 131 Signed by the Governor March 31, 2015

HF 307 / SF 227 – School Start Date The current law requires that schools start no sooner than a day during the week in which September 1 falls and no later than the first Monday in December. Schools can receive a waiver to start sooner if they can prove that starting during the week of September 1 would “have a significant negative educational impact.” The bill creates a new start date of August 23rd, allowing schools to start on that

day or any date afterwards, up through the first Monday in December. The bill also removes any waiver authority for the Department to allow schools to start before August 23. It also creates a waiver for individual K-8 school buildings to offer year round school and start before August 23rd. Status: Substituted for SF 227, SF 227 Passed Both Chamber

HF 346 – Dropout and At-Risk Funding Uses HF 347 – Childcare Programs in Schools Current law allows for child care programs being operated in the school building to be registered with either the Department of Education or the Department of Human Services. This bill removes the option and requires all programs to register with DHS. Status: Passed Both Chambers, Amended by Senate

HF 384 – Use of Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Funds This bill expands the use of PPEL to include the repair of equipment and technology, school busses, and recreational equipment purchased with PPEL dollars. Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 421 – CTE Instructor Classroom Experience Current code requires an instructor in the Career Technical Education field, absent a degree in the field of study, to have special training and at least 6000 hours of recent and relevant work experience. The bill would allow a teacher licensed to teach in high school and holding a CTE endorsement to count classroom instruction in a CTE subject area to towards the 6000 hour total. Status: Senate Calendar

HF 445 – Costs for Educating Children in Psychiatric Institutions Current code allows districts providing education services to children residing in psychiatric hospitals or institutions located in their district to bill the sending/resident district of the student, if the student was sent to the facility from another district. This bill will allow the receiving district to bill the sending/resident district for actual costs in the case of general education students rather than being restricted to just the district cost per pupil. Status: Signed by the Governor March 31, 2015

HF 488 – Iowa Reading Corps Creates statutorily the already existing Iowa Reading Corps program, a statewide initiative to help ensure that all Iowa students are on track to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Department of Education are to collaborate on the initiative, as well as the Iowa Reading Research Center. The Governor has proposed a $1,000,000 appropriation in the Education Appropriation budget for this program. Status: Senate Calendar

HF 490 – Anti-Bullying Bill The bill makes an attempt to stop bullying in PK-12 settings by focusing on: 1. Training a. Requires the Department to provide training resources at least annually to all school districts. 2. Definition a. Amends the definition of “electronic” to explicitly include social media and related sites

b. Amends the definition of “traits and characteristics of student” to include behavior, friendship or relationship with others, or any other distinguishing characteristic. 3. Student mentoring pilot program and School Climate and Bullying Work Group a. Creates a pilot program in at least 4 schools to establish and promote best practices for student engagement in preventing bullying. b. Convenes a School Climate and Bullying Work Group meant to review existing research, data, and strategies, and make recommendations to the Department. 4. Parental Notification a. Requires school to develop a policy for notifying parents of all students involved in the incident unless the school and/or the student believes notification would subject the student to abuse, neglect, or rejection based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity. 5. Authority off School Grounds a. Allows a school to investigate an alleged incident of harassment or bullying that occurs of school property if reported by a parent, student, school employee or volunteer and it has an effect on school grounds that creates an objectively hostile school environment.

The bill also appropriates $150,000 to be used for training and $50,000 for the Student Mentoring Pilot Program. Status: In House Appropriations Committee (See SF 345)

HF 515 – Management Levy for Mediation and Arbitration Costs The Management Levy is an optional property tax levy that can be used to pay for unemployment benefits, liability insurance, insurance, judgments, and early retirements. This bill adds an additional eligible expense by allowing the cost of mediation and arbitration, including legal costs, to be paid for out of the Management Levy. The current statewide amount of the Management Levy for FY15 is $147 million (down $3 million from FY14) in 328 out of 338 districts. Status: Senate Calendar

HF 554 – Beginning Teacher Mentoring and Induction Program Makes districts that are participating in the Teacher Leadership Compensation program ineligible for Beginning Teacher Mentoring and Induction funds. Status: In House Appropriations Committee

HF 559 – High School Equivalency Diplomas Waiver Provision Allows for applicants for high school equivalency diploma to seek a waiver of statutory requirements to be eligible for one and the Department to grant the waiver if the Department determines it would be in the best interest of the applicant. Status: Died in the Second Funnel

HF 599 – School Bonds in District Reorganizations and Dissolutions The corrects an oversight in the law governing reorganizations and dissolutions of school districts, by providing a process that helps protect outstanding bonds and debts, ensuring districts don’t go into default on their loans if the students generating the revenue enroll in other districts. Status: Senate Calendar

SF 227 / HF 307 – School Start Date

The current law requires that schools start no sooner than a day during the week in which September 1 falls and no later than the first Monday in December. Schools can receive a waiver to start sooner if they can prove that starting during the week of September 1 would “have a significant negative educational impact.” The bill creates a new start date of August 23rd, allowing schools to start on that day or any date afterwards, up through the first Monday in December. The bill also removes any waiver authority for the Department to allow schools to start before August 23. It also creates a waiver for individual K-8 school buildings to offer year round school and start before August 23rd. Status: Passed Both Chamber

SF 345 - Anti-Bullying Bill The bill makes an attempt to stop bullying in PK-12 settings by focusing on:

 Training o Requires the Department to provide training resources at least annually to all school districts.  Definition o Amends the definition of “electronic” to explicitly include social media and related sites o Amends the definition of “traits and characteristics of student” to include behavior, friendship or relationship with others, or any other distinguishing characteristic.  Student Mentoring Pilot Program and School Climate and Bullying Work Group o Creates a pilot program in at least 4 schools to establish and promote best practices for student engagement in preventing bullying. o Convenes a School Climate and Bullying Work Group, a group meant to review existing research, data, and strategies, and make recommendations to the Department for training, research, law changes, etc.  Parental Notification o Requires school to develop a policy for notifying parents of all students involved in the incident unless the school and/or the student believes notification would subject the student to abuse, neglect, or rejection.  Authority off School Grounds b. Allows a school to investigate an alleged incident of harassment or bullying that occurs of school property if reported and it has an effect on school grounds that creates an objectively hostile school environment. Status: House Calendar

SF 462 - Epi-pens in Schools This bill provides allowance for facilities (youth sports, food establishments, recreational camps) and school districts to stock prescription epi-pens on sight. An authorized and trained individual may administer the epi-pen to someone believe to be suffering from anaphylactic shock, if the administrator acts reasonably and in good faith. Also amends the section of code allowing students to self-administer asthma medicine by adding epi-pens. Status: House Calendar

Environmental Protection HF 266/HSB 93- Proposes to allow the disposal of yard waste in landfills operating a methane collection system. Status: Signed by the Governor

HF 544/HF 162 -Proposes to consider use of plasma gasification as a form of ‘Waste Conversion Technology’ which is added to the hierarchal list of waste management practice. Status: On Senate Calendar

HF 541/HSB 208 -Proposes to allocate $250,000 in FY-2016 from the Solid Waste Assistance Program account of groundwater protection fund to provide for the development of a hub and spoke recycling program to benefit rural areas by the DNR. Status: Referred to House Appropriations

Human Services SF 200 – Duties of the Executive Director of the Dental Board The bill is brought to us from the Dental Board. The bill clarifies the duties of the executive director of the Dental Board to be more consistent with other independent health care professional licensing boards. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 201 – Examination of People with Serious Mental Illness Under current law, when a person is at the hospital, if the physician or physician assistant that examines the person and finds the person is seriously mentally impaired, the examining physician or physician assistant is required to contact the nearest magistrate. The bill eliminates the requirement that the findings of the examining physician assistant be approved by their supervising physician before the magistrate is contacted. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 203 – Board of Nursing The bill relates to people and activities regulated by the Board of Nursing. It is a technical bill that goes into different areas of the code and changes the language from a “registered” nurse to a “licensed” nurse. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 228 – Anatomical Gift Fund Every year there are thousands of dollars in the anatomical gift fund (administered by the Department of Public Health) that do not get spent. The bill allows unobligated money in the anatomical gift fund to be spent on grants to transplant recipients, transplant candidates, or living organ donors. Examples of these grants include money for drug therapy, food and lodging, and other expenses that occur that are not covered by a third party payor. STATUS – Re-referred to Appropriations

SF 232 – Tanning This bill prohibits indoor tanning for persons under 18 years of age. STATUS – House Calendar, Passed on File

SF 274 – IDPH Omnibus Bill Division I of the bill changes “hearing aid dispensers” to “hearing aid specialists. The goal of this change is to reduce consumer confusion. Division II fixes an error that occurred in Senate File 2196 last session. The purpose of that legislation was to repeal specific sunset dates and extend others for programs in the Health Care Workforce Support Initiative. There was a drafting error that erased the program that needs to be fixed. Division III makes it easier to create residency slots in the state. In 2009 the

legislature established a Medical Residency Training State Matching Grant Program in Public Health. The bill makes it easier for programs to access these grant funds to create more residency slots. STATUS – House Calendar, Passed on File

SF 275 – Public Health Modernization This bill was requested by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The bill removes the requirement that the state board of health comply with the Iowa public health standards. This change is happening because the state public health standards are now obsolete. The bill also changes the requirement for residential swimming pools that give private lessons. Currently, residential swimming pools can only be used for swimming lessons for 60 hours a month. This changes that time to 207 hours per month. STATUS – Passed House Human Resources Committee

SF 276 – Medical Licenses Current law states that medical licenses are to be renewed every two years. If a license is inactive for three years, the licensee must submit a full application to reinstate their license. If a license is inactive for more than three years, the license is never relinquished automatically. This creates a burgeoning administrative workload for this group of “inactive” medical licenses because the Iowa Board of Medicine is required to issue a reciprocal disciplinary action against doctors with inactive licenses. The bill allows medical licenses to be relinquished after being inactive for five years. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 335 – Autopsy Reports The bill changes the requirements for when a medical examiner has to release records to donor organizations, the police, and next of kin. The medical examiner does not have to release the records if it would pose a clear and present danger. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 401 – Subacute Beds The bill increases the number of subacute beds in the state from 50 to 75 beds. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 440 – Interstate Contracts for Substance Abuse and Mental Health The bill allows interstate contracts to be made for substance abuse and mental health treatment. The MHDS regions can contract with agencies in bordering states to secure substance abuse or mental health treatment for people. STATUS – Signed by Governor

SF 463 – Mental Health Code Editor Bill This bill makes conforming Code amendments relating to the mental health redesign legislation. The bill changes references from “county” language to “regional” language because in the redesign process, the mental health and disabilities services moved from a county system to a regional system. STATUS – Passed House Human Resources Committee

SF 464 – Prevention of Disabilities Council This bill amends provisions in the Code related to the Council, council membership, duties, and coordination efforts. The Prevention of Disabilities Council is set to sunset on July 1, 2015 in current code. This bill will have the council be repealed on July 1 of 2016. This extends the Council for one year. When the Council is repealed, its duties will be rolled into another entity.

STATUS – Passed House Human Resources Committees

HF 381/ SF 229 – Iowa Health Information Network (IHIN) Transfer The IHIN is currently administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). IDPH has proposed this bill which would transition the IHIN from a state government-led model to a private not-for-profit model. The proposed legislation would issue an RFP to have the IHIN transition to a nonprofit entity. The entity would be governed by a Board of Directors. The bill requires the transfer of administrative duties to the nonprofit. STATUS – Senate Unfinished Business Calendar

HF 449 - Psychiatric Bed Tracking System For years, Iowa hospitals have been struggling to determine where beds are located for mental health patients that come to their emergency rooms in crisis. Providers make dozens of phone calls across the state in an effort to find bed placements. This means that patients in crisis have to wait hours or longer in emergency rooms before a bed is found. Once a bed is found, there is no guarantee the bed will remain open until the person arrives at the placement. This bill requires DHS to set up a bed tracking system. After the new system is set up, providers will be able to contact a central access point that will tell them where the nearest bed is located. STATUS – Passed Senate Human Resources Committees

HF 468 – Mental Health Advocates This bill eliminates court appointments of mental health advocates. Mental health advocates will be appointed by the county board of supervisors in a patient’s county of residence. STATUS – Passed Senate Human Resources Committees

HF 510 - Transportation of People with Substance Disorders Currently, when a person in a hospital is waiting for a mental health bed to open somewhere across the state, their transportation to that bed is uncertain. Family members or deputies have to drive across the state with a mentally ill person in crisis, only to be told that they have to turn around and go home because the bed that was open was filled by another person. The bill will allow regions to contract with private entities to transport people with a mental illness or substance disorder. This will provide for the safe and secure transport of the person in crisis to another location. STATUS - Passed Senate Human Resources Committee

HF 534 – Mental Health Professional Shortage Area The Department of Public Health currently has a mental health professional shortage area stipend program. This program currently provides stipends to support psychiatric positions with an emphasis on securing and retaining medical directors at community mental health centers and hospital psychiatric units that are located in mental health professional shortage areas. This bill expands the criteria to make it easier to access this fund. STATUS – Passed Senate Human Resources Committees

HF 579 – Regulation of Health Care Facilities This bill was requested by the Department of Inspections and Appeals. The bill makes changes to the regulation of four different programs regulated by DIA: health care facilities, elder group homes, assisted living programs, and assisted living programs. STATUS – Passed Senate Human Resources Committees

Judiciary SF 150/ HF 373/ HSB 91-Sexualy Violent Predators Escaping from Custody SF 150 increases the penalty of a sexually violent predator, who is civilly committed, who tires or succeeds, in escaping from custody from a simple to a serious misdemeanor. STATUS- Signed By the Governor

SF 222-Disposition of Seized Firearms SF 222 requires all firearms and ammunition seized by law enforcement and deemed abandoned or when an owner cannot be located, to be sent to the Department of Public Safety regardless of the price of the firearms or ammunition. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 223/HF 157/HSB 32-Support of the Poor SF 223 makes Iowa Code consistent with Federal law. This bill eliminates the liability of a family to pay debts to the county for care of a poor person. STATUS- Signed by the Governor

SF 267-Privileged Communications Between Peer Support Group Counselors and Officers SF 267 protects the communication between a police officer and a peer support group counselor. This information cannot be disclosed. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 292/ HF 589/ HSB 106- Confidential Juvenile Records SF 292 makes juvenile court records confidential and not subject to disclosure unless authorized. Additionally, Official juvenile court records in cases alleging delinquency shall be public record, unless the record contains a dismissal of a complaint or when no petition is filed relating to the complaint. Records of a criminal or juvenile justice agency concerning a defendant transferred to juvenile court are public record except for specific data. STATUS- House Calendar Attached SF 292

SF 306-Communication and Visitation with an Adult Ward This bill provides that a guardian can prevent certain persons from having contact with a ward. A guardian can impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on communication, visitation or interaction of a ward with a person. A guardian can deny access against a wards wishes only if good cause can be shown to the court. An adult ward has the right of communication, visitation, or interaction only with the above limitations. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 336-Civil Protective Orders for Victims Of Sexual Abuse This bill allows victims of sexual abuse to request a civil protective order prior to the arrest or conviction of their abuser. SF 336 models most of the code on domestic abuse protective orders. The court will weigh the preponderance of the evidence when determining if a protective issue should be ordered. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 385-Expungment SF 385 allows a person to apply to have their record expunged if they were acquitted of charges or if charges were dismissed. Additional standards apply to have the records expunged, including paying all court costs. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 404/HF 524/HSB 105-Shorthand Reporters SF 404 addresses the application and certification of shorthand reporters as well as transcript integrity and work product. The bill clarifies the authority of the Board of Examiners of Shorthand Reporters to deny certification of a reporters applicant based on certain circumstances of the applicant’s past record. These changes allow the Board to comply with new rules and the Home Base Act. The bill also requires that a certified transcript is the only form provided by a freelance court reporter in order to provide a singular document that all parties can rely on. Additionally, notes and audio used in creation of an official transcript is work product and not subject to chapter 22 of the open records act. STATUS- House Calendar attached SF 404

SF 412-Child in Need of Assistance and Delinquency Cases SF 412 allows Juvenile court services to provide follow-up services to a child who has committed a delinquent act, after the child turns 18, until they are 21. This is an optional service. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 427-Suppressors SF 427 legalizes suppressors in Iowa. The House proposed an amended that will address various areas of firearms laws. The amendment allows persons with a carry permit to renew every 5 years, but only take a retraining class every 10 years. The bill clarifies what retraining classes are accepted. Additionally, it strikes the minimum age to handle a firearm. The amendment also creates a DPS controlled database to make it easier for both law enforcement and permit holders to verify permits. STATUS-Passed House Judiciary Committee

SF 426/HF 532/HSB 143-Privlidged Communication between a Patient and Physician If an adverse health care incident occurs, SF 426, would allow a physician and their health facility to engage in an open, confidential discussion with a patient related to the incident. The Physician and the health facility would be able to investigate the incident and discuss, with the patient, what went wrong and plans to prevent similar incidents. All communication would be confidential and not subject to discover or other means of legal compulsion. STATUS- House Unfinished Business Calendar

SF 448-Juvenile Sentencing This bill creates a new scheme for sentencing juveniles who have committed class “A” felonies. Under current law a juvenile who commits a class “A” felony, other than 1st degree murder, is eligible for parole after serving 25 years. For 1st degree murder, the term is life without the possibility of parole. This sentence has been declared unconstitutional. SF448 creates 3 sentencing options, life without parole, life with the possibility of parole after a set amount of time is served or life with the possibility of parole. STATUS-Passed on File

SF 451/HF 567/HSB 163- Transfer of Jurisdiction related to a Child in Need of Assistance Case SF 451 allows for a direct transfer of the juvenile court custody and visitation orders through a Bridge Order to maintain safety and stability of the juvenile that was established in juvenile court. The bill also expands how paternity is legally established. STATUS- House Calendar Attached SF 451

HF 6-Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee or Volunteer HF 6 protects students from sexual exploitation by a school employee or volunteer. The bill expands the definition of those who can be charged with sexual exploitation to include full time employees, part time employees, substitutes, volunteers who have significant contact with students and contract school employees who have significant contact with students. The bill specifies that a school employee, for this charge, does not include a student enrolled in the district or a person who is less than four years older than the student, as long as they do not have a positon of direct authority over the student. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 159/HSB 44- Combined Guardianship and Conservatorship HF 159 allows district court clerks to file a guardianship/conservatorship petition as one proceeding with one docket number. STATUS- Signed by the Governor

HF 227/HSB 33-Strip Searches If a person is arrested for a scheduled violation or a simple misdemeanor and is not being housed in general population of a jail, they shall not be subject to a strip search without probable cause. A person who will be housed in the general population of a jail may be subject to a strip search or a visual strip search. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 258/ HSB 34- Sexual Misconduct. HF 258 specifies that a Peace Officer shall not engage in a sexual act with an individual committed to the custody of the department of corrections, a judicial district department of correctional services or in a county jail. Additionally, peace officers shall not engage in a sex act with a juvenile placed at a juvenile placement facility. Violation is an aggravated misdemeanor. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 259/HSB 54- Workers Compensation HF 259 requires the workers Compensation Commission to maintain a list of companies that reject workers compensation coverage or terminate their rejection of coverage. The list is public record. Companies that choose not to have coverage must sign a form and file it with the commission. STATUS- Passed Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee

HF 286/ HSB 23-Direct Deposit Current law allows an employer to require an employee to participate in direct deposit of the employee’s wages, if the employee was hired after July 1, 2005. HF 286 strikes the date so the requirement will apply to all employees. All current exceptions for direct deposit requirements continue to exist. STATUS- Passed Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee

HF 287/ HSB 53 Airbags HF 287 makes it an aggravated misdemeanor for someone to manufacture, import, install or sell an airbag that is unsafe, counterfeit or nonfunctional. A person who tampers with a vehicle’s diagnostic system to make it appear there is a functional air bag, when there is not, is also guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. STATUS- Passed Senate Transportation Committee

HF 299- Loess Hills HF 299 prohibits the Loess Hills development and conservation authority or the board of directors from entering into any agreement with a local government or state or federal government if the agreement would regulate a private landowner or that persons use of the land. The bill does not apply if the private landowner consents. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 372/HSB 92- Special Advocates and Confidential Information for a Child Receiving Foster Care HF 372 allows a court appointed special advocate to attend family decision making meetings and youth transition decision making meetings. The bill allows a court appointed special advocate and county attorneys to receive confidential information currently prohibited by law. STATUS- Signed by the Governor

HF 496/HSB 88- Military Victim Advocate HF 496 gives military victim advocates confidentially privileges when helping victims of sexual assault. STATUS-Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 525/ HSB 86- Veterinarians and Professional Limited Liability Companies HF 525 allows various forms of business organizations composed of licensed veterinarians to own a veterinary clinic, practice veterinary medicine and provide veterinary medical services. The organizations include a professional limited liability company, or professional corporation engaging in veterinary medicine and a partnership or a limited liability partnership composed of licensed veterinarians. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

SF 425/HF 527/HSB 201- Weapons Use SF 425addresses various areas of firearms laws. The bill allows persons with a carry permit to renew every 5 years, but only take a retraining class every 10 years. The bill clarifies what retraining classes are accepted. SF 425strikes the minimum age to handle a firearm. Additional, the bill makes all carry and purchase permits private and only available to law enforcement officials in certain situations. SF 425 also creates a DPS controlled database to make it easier for both law enforcement and permit holders to verify permits. STATUS- Attached to SF 425 on Senate Calendar

HF 536/HSB 193-Code Editor Bill- Substantive HF 536 is the Substantive Code Editor’s Bill. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 558/HSB 157- Funerals and Protests

HF 558 prohibits disorderly conduct within 1,000 feet of a funeral or memorial service. Additionally, a person who use the flag of the United States, the flag of Iowa or a military unit, or a prisoner of war flag with the intent the use will provoke a person to commit trespass or assault commits disorderly conduct. The bill also creates a civil action for infliction of emotional distress if a person disrupts a military funeral. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 569/HSB 168- Notice of Garnishment and Levy HF 569 revises notice requirements in the Garnishment Chapter and amends existing code sections. Additionally it adds garnishment notice requirements. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 570-Sledding HF 570 protects municipalities from claims of negligent design or construction of a public facility for recreational activities. The bill also exempts municipalities from liability claims relating to acts or omissions by employees from a person engaged in recreational activities if the person knew or should have known the risk created by the recreational activity. STATUS- Signed by Governor

Labor HF 397 – Child Labor Permit Exceptions -- The bill defines “occasional” work as work for up to six weeks (8 hours per day, 40 hours per week), unless school is in session. STATUS: On Senate Calendar

Local Government HF 249 / HF 615 – Rural Improvement Zones Amends the chapter allowing for the creation of Rural Improvement Zones. Gives the Board of Supervisors of a county the power to approve or deny applications for RIZs. Requires the RIZ petitions include engineer reports with specific information to justify the need for a RIZ. Establishes public hearing guidelines, division of revenue from taxes guidelines, and a process for the dissolution or renewal of a RIZ. Status: On House Ways and Means Calendar

HF 341 – City Self-Funded Debt Current law allows cities to self-finance debt for public projects in enterprise funds (sewer, water, electric, gas, communications and refuse funds) but does now allow a city to self-finance debt for “general or essential corporate purposes.” This bill would allow cities to self-finance debt for general purpose projects. This does not create the authority to bond for new purposes, it just changes who a city may bond with. Instead of bonding with (potentially) out-of-state lenders, the city can lend to itself for these projects. All existing statutory requirements for bonding for these purposes remain in place including public notices, public hearings, financial analyses, repayment conditions and loan covenents. Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 343 – Improper Use of Accessible Parking Permits Current code provides for separate fines for improper use of accessible parking permits, either a $100 simple fine or a $200 scheduled fine. The bill aims to clear up confusion by having each fine reference the other and stating that either fine can be charged. Status: Died In House Judiciary Committee

HF 369 – Copies of Vital Records Current code makes it illegal for individuals to make copies of official documents, such as birth certificates, death certificates, or marriage certificates. The bill removes the restriction, thus allowing individuals to make copies of their own official documents. This bill also adds new language maintaining the ability of employees of local governments to make copies of official documents in the scope of their job. Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 507 – Delinquent Sewer Service Accounts Some cities enter into 28E agreements with Utility Management Organizations (UMOs) to have the UMO provide sewer service to the community. Currently UMOs lack the same authority that city utilities have in taking action to address delinquent accounts by discontinuing water services and pursuing legal action against customers that are delinquent. This bill provides UMOs the same authority that city utilities have. Status: Passed House, on Senate Calendar (as amended)

HF 526 – Driver’s License Fees Retained by the County Certain counties are authorized to issue driver’s licenses, nonoperator identification cards, and persons with disabilities identification devices. When issuing driver’s licenses and nonoperator identification cards, the county is allowed to retain $7 of the fee. This bill would increase it to $10. Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 528 – Medical Treatment Costs for Prisoners Provides clarity on who pays for the medical costs for individuals incarcerated or in custody receiving medical care at hospitals by expanding current statute and providing an order in which certain entities are billed. If the prisoner is Medicaid eligible, has insurance, or has sufficient resources to the pay, those resources pay first. If the prisoner does not have sufficient resources and does not have Medicaid or insurance, then the city or county will pay depending on who the arresting authority is in those situations. Status: On House Calendar, Attached to SF 394, also on House Calendar

HF 561 – Iowa Land Records System Fees Changes fees for filing documents with the Iowa Land Records (ILR) System, the statewide land record indexing and imaging database. The current statutory fees for filing by paper is $22 ($21 fee + $1 ILR fee) and through e-filing is $23.50 ($21 fee + $1.50 ILR fee). This bill would set the cost for either at $23.00 ($21 fee + $2 ILR fee). Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 562 – Marriage License Fee Distribution Changes the apportionment of fees collected for issuance of a marriage license. Currently $4 of the $35 marriage license fee is retained by the county, $13 goes to the Department of Public Health, and $18 is deposited in the state’s General Fund. The bill would change this to $7 goes to the county, $12 goes to DPH, and $16 goes to the state’s General Fund. Status: In House Ways and Means Committee

HF 565 – Department of Human Services Funding for County Office Space

Increases the reimbursement rate for counties renting space to Department of Human Services offices. Currently DHS reimburses the counties for 38%. The bill increases this to 40% with a 5% yearly increase to a cap of 60%. Status: In House Appropriations Committee

HF 588 – Accessible Parking Placards Expiration Dates Current law allows the Department of Transportation to issue either a temporary person with disabilities parking placard or a non-expiring placard. This bill removes the option of a non-expiring placard and replaces it with a standard placard that expires 5 years from the date of issuance. The standard placard can be renewed if a physician statement shows a continued need. A grandfather clause is included for those who currently possess non-expiring placards. Status: Passed House, On Senate Calendar

SF 165 – Relocating County Seats Current law allows for the board of supervisors of a county to establish, consolidate, or move a county seat. This bill would require a petition be filed and the public vote on the motion Status: On House Calendar

SF 167 – Severance Pay for County Employees Prevents the board of supervisors of the county from approving separation or severance pay for the auditor, treasurer, recorder, sheriff, county attorney, or to a supervisor Status: On House Calendar

Natural Resources HF 467 – Wild Turkey Harvest Reporting Currently, if you fail to report a deer or wild turkey you harvest it is a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $100. The bill changes downgrades the simple misdemeanor to a scheduled violation. The violation is also decreased from $100 to $20. STATUS – Passed Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee

HF 537 – Underground Storage Tanks The bill creates a new ‘underground storage tank cost-share grant program and fund ‘ to cost-share replacement motor fuel underground storage tanks, connecting infrastructure and dispensing equipment that are compatible for use with E-85 fuel. These grants will be administered by the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board. The grants may be up to 50% of the cost of the E85 upgrade equipment installation with a maximum grant of $100,000. STATUS – Re-referred to House Appropriations Committee

HF 486 – Fees for Combination Hunting Licenses The bill allows retailers that sell hunting and fishing licenses to retain a higher writing fee from the sale of combination licenses or three year hunting and fishing licenses. STATUS – Passed House Ways & Means Committee

SF 218 – Snowmobile Operation Current law says that snowmobiles can be operated on the right-of-way on an interstate or freeway only when using an underpass that has been abandoned. The underpass also has to be the only alternative to the use of a traveled roadway. This bill changes the law so that snowmobiles can be operated on the right-of-way of an interstate or freeway when using an underpass or a bridge. However, the

snowmobile must come to a complete stop before entering the right-of-way of the interstate. The snowmobile driver must also yield to any traffic on the road before crossing. STATUS – House Calendar

SF 392 – Hunter Education License Requirements The bill relates to hunter education license requirements. It also provides for an apprentice hunter permit and fee, and includes penalties. STATUS – Sent to Governor

Public Safety SF 151-Orientation and Classification Center at Mitchellville and Anamosa SF 151 allows the Department of Correction to have orientation and classification centers at Mitchellville and Anamosa STATUS-Passed House Public Safety Committee

SF 264-Access to Local Exchange Service Information SF 264 requires an E911 service provider to provide the address and telephone numbers of subscribers served by the system to the Director of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to use in the mass notification and emergency messaging system. This information may only be used for the purpose of providing E911 telephone service or providing mass notification and emergency messaging services. STATUS-Passed House Public Safety Committee

SF 410-Drug Overdose Prevention SF 410 relates to drug overdose prevention and the prescription and administration of opioid antagonists. In addition it provides immunity from certain criminal offenses for a person who seeks medical assistance for a person experiencing an overdose. STATUS-Passed House Public Safety Committee

HF 585/233- Safe at Home HF 585 establishes an address confidentially program in the Secretary of State’s office for a victim of domestic abuse, domestic abuse assault, sexual abuse, or stalking. STATUS- Placed on Senate Unfinished Business Calendar-Attached to SF 383

HF 447/HF 54- Call Locations in Emergencies HF 447 requires wireless service providers to provide call location information of a devise upon the request of law enforcement. Law enforcement may request this information in emergency situations involving risk of death or serious harm. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

HF 567/279- Synthetic Drugs House File 567 focuses on Iowa’s fight against synthetic drugs. HF 567 reorganizes the synthetic drug list and makes it clear in the code as well as adding additional chemicals approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Additionally, the bill gives the legislature two years (instead of 60 days) to approve synthetic

drugs temporarily designated as schedule I substances by the pharmacy board. Finally HF 567 treats simulated substances and imitation substances the same for prosecution. STATUS- Passed Senate Judiciary Committee

State Government HF 131 / HSB 46 – Beer Definition This bill changes the definition of “beer” for beer brewers and wholesalers by adding “high alcoholic content beer” as defined in 123.3. Status: Signed by Governor on March 31, 2015

HF 202 / HSB 45 – Volunteer Dentist/Dental Hygienist Licensure This bill creates a new license described as a retired volunteer license for dentists and dental hygienists who have retired within the last five years. Status: Signed by Governor on March 31, 2015

SF 198 / HF 246 – CPA and CPA Firm Regulations This bill makes changes to Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) and firm regulations by altering private investigation license provisions, updating report definitions, changing business structure allowances for CPAs, striking notice provisions and making conforming changes as necessary. Status: Signed by Governor on March 31, 2015

SF 323 / HF 206 – Lottery Games and Veteran Support This bill creates a new subsection requiring the lottery to transfer $2.5 million to the veterans trust fund each fiscal year, unless the veterans trust fund holds $50 million or more, the money will be given to the department of revenue to be distributed among the county directors of veteran affairs. Status: Signed by Governor on March 31, 2015

HF 203 / HSB 75 - Sleep Tech Licensure This bill authorizes the licensing of polysomnographic technologists (“sleep techs”) and provides applicable penalties and effective date provisions, and other corresponding changes. Status: Senate Unfinished Business calendar

HF 550 / HSB 135 – Contact Information for Elected Officials This bill requires all elected public officials to provide their phone number and email address to be published on their entity’s public website, should it have such a site, within 30 days of being sworn into office. Status: Senate Unfinished Business calendar

HF 281 / HSB 47 – Fantasy Sports Contests This bill classifies fantasy sports contests as bona fide contests and authorizes the paying of awards and prizes to participants. Status: House Unfinished Business calendar

SF 435 / HF 505 / HF 338 – Public Access to Data-Processing Software The bill allows a government body to control data processing software developed by nongovernmental bodies, requires a government body to allow access to electronic records and charge appropriate fees. Status: House Unfinished Business calendar, passed on file

HF 450 / HSB 108 – Contract Bidding Process for Regents and DOT This bill removes the DOT exemption from using, and requires the State Board of Regents to comply with, the Iowa Construction Bidding Procedures Act for public projects. Status: House Calendar

HF 47 – Apprentice Electrician Supervision This bill changes the requirements for a licensed electrician to be present for an apprentice electrician or unclassified person, to a minimum of 25% from 100% of the day. Status: House Calendar

SF 456 – Growler Bill This bill allows businesses holding a class “C” alcohol permit (grocery stores, convenience stores) the ability to fill and refill containers ,other than the original container (growlers), for beer to be sold and taken off premise. It requires the person filling these containers to be 18 years old or older, and the containers cannot be larger than 72 oz. and sealed pursuant to established rules by the ABD. Finally, it provides these sealed containers are not considered open containers so long as they remain unopened. Status: House Calendar

SF 135 – Campaign Finance This bill requires electronic filing for different campaign documents and raises the minimum dollar amounts for certain reporting requirements. Status: House Calendar

HF 146 / HSB 50– Prohibited Gambling Activities and Penalties This bill adds to cheating at gambling game offense provisions and breaks down the severity of the penalty for violations according to the amount of potential winnings. Status: Passed Senate State Government committee

HF 506 / HSB 146 – Absentee Ballot Deadlines This bill removes postmark language for absentee ballot counting consideration, and replaces it with a deadline the ballot must be received in the commission’s office in order to be counted. Status: Passed Senate State Government committee, with amendment

SF 366 – PORS Disability Retirement Benefits Current law, and allows a PORS beneficiary receiving disability retirement to receive full disability retirement benefits, as well as income from other employment, so long as the combined incomes is not more than one and one-half times the amount of the current compensation of an active PORS member in the same position. Should a PORS beneficiary earn more than one and one-half times the current compensation, his or her benefits are reduced as necessary, to meet the one and one-half rule. This bill adds language that prevents a PORS member receiving disability payments from having his or her payments be reduced to below fifty percent. Status: Passed House State Government committee SF 438 – Exchange Wagering Study This bill requires the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to conduct a study on pari-mutuel exchange wagering. Exchange wagering is defined as a form of wagering where two or more people place identically opposite bets in a given market for pari-mutuel betting in Iowa. Status: Passed House State Government committee

SF 199 – Independent Expenditures This bill makes changes to update the campaign finance laws relating to independent expenditures, pursuant to Supreme Court and US Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions where part of the current Iowa law was upheld, while other parts were deemed unconstitutional; this bill brings the law into compliance with these decisions. It removes reference to ongoing reporting, supplemental and termination statements and makes changes to certification requirements for corporations. It also makes changes to referencing “person” instead of “entity,” when applicable. Status: Passed House State Government committee

SF 415 – Election Administration and Officials This bill allows county commissioners to direct precinct election officials to count write-in votes after the polls close. It also changes salary provisions for the deputy in charge of election administration. Status: Passed House State Government committee

SF 434 – Continuing Education for Licensed Barbers Under current law, barbers licensed in Iowa must complete 6 hours of continuing education, every 2 years. This bill reduces the amount of continuing education required from 6 hours to 3 hours, every 2 years. Status: Passed House State Government committee

SF 457 – Ombudsman Access to Closed Meeting Minutes and Recordings Chapter 21 currently requires governmental bodies to post meeting notices for meetings to be held in public and open settings, but allows the governmental bodies to go into closed, non-public session under certain circumstances; however, these closed sessions are still required to be recorded in the minutes or via audio, and are obtainable with court action. This bill allows the Ombudsmen’s office the ability to access closed session meeting minutes and recordings in the performance of duties. Status: Passed House State Government committee

HF 443 / HSB 73 – Future Repeal of the State Board of Tax Review This bill provides for the future repeal of the state board of tax review, putting the director of the Department of Revenue in charge of the board’s oversight responsibilities. It also replaces applicable references to the director with reference to the department to avoid conflicts of interest. Status: Passed House State Government Committee, passed House Ways & Means

HSB 148 / HF 513 – Social and Charitable Gambling This bill makes changes to social and charitable gambling chapters of the code. It updates, simplifies and modernizes the chapter to be current with gambling activities, while removing outdated restrictions. Status: Passed House State Government Committee, referred to House Ways & Means

HSB 159 / HF 503 – State Mandates on Counties This bill alters State mandates on counties. It requires a county medical examiner’s office to receive a fee and certain expenses for conducting a preliminary investigation of a death affecting the public interest. It also requires the county auditor to give out board supervisor proceedings, including summary of all resolutions, to be published in a newspaper. Status: Passed House State Government Committee, referred to House Ways & Means

Transportation HSB 129 / SF 257 – Transportation Infrastructure Funding

This bill adds restrictive provisions relating to county use of moneys received from the Road Use Tax Fund. Additionally, it changes excessive size and weight permit fees, allowing those issuing such permits to charge an increased amount. It also extends the fuel tax levy expiration date and access Iowa highway provisions. It increases fuel taxes for motor vehicles and formula provisions relating to B-11 and other special diesel fuels, as well as increasing the aircraft fuel tax. Further, it establishes a fuel tax formula review procedure, and describes legislative intent related to the additional revenue created as a result of increases and requires the DOT to find efficiencies, with effective dates and applicability provisions. Status: Signed by Governor on February 25, 2015

HF 563 / HF 482 – Vehicle Recyclers The bill relates to vehicle recyclers; transferring motor vehicles to vehicle recyclers and national motor vehicle title information system compliance. Status: Senate Unfinished Business calendar

HF 617 / HF 245 / HF 93 – Specialty License Plate Decals This bill replaces the current system for creating and reviewing specialty license plates with a new system that is decal-based. Status: House Ways & Means calendar

HF 587 / HSB 176 – RV Franchises The bill regulates agreements between manufacturers/distributors and dealers relating to the sale of recreational vehicles (“RVs”). Status: House calendar

HF 571 / HF 34 – School Permits to Travel to Extracurricular Activities not Held at a School This bill expands the school permit provisions to allow a student with a school permit to drive to a location within the contiguous school district to participate in an extracurricular activity, so long it is recognized as such by the department of education or is conducted under a sharing agreement with the school of enrollment. Status: House calendar

HF 539 / HF 103 – Reserve Force Designation on Driver’s Licenses This bill allows for the recognition of Reserve Forces or National Guard service status on driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s licenses. Status: House calendar

HF 540 / HF 111 – Front License Plates This bill removes front license plate requirements for vehicles. It requires a person only be issued 1 registration plate for vehicles, instead of 2, and also requires the plate be put on the rear of the vehicle. Further, it includes a code editor directive to make changes in the code to all 2 license plate references. Status: House calendar

SF 75 – Snow Plow Lighting Pilot Program This bill describes a pilot program allowing blue and white lights, in addition to the current amber lights, on DOT-owned snow plows that will be in effect until July 1, 2019. This bill will have no impact to the State General Fund. The cost of equipping snowplows with the described lighting will increase expenditures from the Equipment Revolving Fund by $105,000 in FY2016.

Status: House calendar

SF 155 – Dump Truck License Plate Illumination This bill exempts dump trucks and other vehicles used only for moving construction equipment to and from intrastate construction sites from having their back license plates being clearly lighted. Status: House calendar

SF 424 – Bicycle Lights This bill requires bicycles or bicycle riders to equip themselves or their bikes with front and rear white lights to be used during evening hours, and allows a grace period before issuing a citation. Status: House calendar

SF 391 – Use of Electronic Communication Devices While Driving This bill originally made texting while driving a primary offense, but we attached a strike-after amendment to ban all use of cell phones while driving unless the device is in hands-free or voice- activated mode. It also makes the offense a primary offense, and adds a warning period for peace officer to issue warning memos instead of citations for violations in this bill through July 1, 2017, with full penalties going into effect that day. Finally, it requires the DOT to work in cooperation with DPS to implement a public education and awareness program for the changes taking place in the bill. Status: Passed House Transportation committee

SF 234 – Iowa Employment Rides Initiative and Fund This bill creates a new program titled the “Iowa Employment Rides Initiative,” which will be created in the DOT to give grants to public transit programs which provide rides to and from work, through an application process. It also creates a fund in the State treasury under the DOT, which will consist of appropriations to the department for placement in the fund. Status: Passed House Transportation committee

HF 538 / HSB 66 – DOT Omnibus This bill contains provisions relating to matters under the purview of the department of transportation Status: Passed House Transportation committee, referred to House Ways & Means

Veterans Affairs HF 205—Reporting on Veterans at Universities This bill extends reporting requirements of postsecondary educational institutions regarding Veterans to include certain members of the reserves and National Guard. Status: Signed by Governor

HF 386/SF 130—National Guard Education Assistance This bill changes eligibility to 120 credit hours instead of limiting it by semesters. Status: Signed by Governor

HF 166—Disabled Veteran Property Tax Credit This bill amends the eligibility criteria for the disabled veteran homestead tax credit to include a veteran with a disability rating based on individual unemployability. Status: Signed by Governor

HF 414—Disclosure by a Veterans Benefits Assistance Provider

This bill requires certain disclosures by private providers of veteran benefit services. Status: Senate Calendar

Appropriations Please note that Appropriations bills are not subject to the funnel.

Ways & Means HF 604—Taxpayer Choice—Optional Flat Tax This bill provides an alternative income tax system with a 5 percent flat rate on all taxable income, an increased standard deduction as compared to the current system, as well as a complete exemption of all pension income from income tax. Status: House Calendar

HF 614—Legalization on the Sale and Use of Fireworks This bill provides for the legal sale and use of novelties and consumer fireworks within Iowa. Status: House Calendar

Please note that certain bills referred to Ways & Means need to be approved by the committee to remain eligible. The remaining Ways & Means bills are not subject to the funnel. The bills listed above are key bills included for your information. They are not the only bills that remain alive in Ways & Means.

Government Oversight HF 620 – Electric Transmission Lines The bill stipulates that a finding of public use shall not be made if a petition for franchise involves construction of a direct current electric line and does not provide electric substations at intervals of less than 50 miles. STATUS: On House Calendar

HF 619 – Lake Condemnation The bill limits the amount of land that can be condemned for drinking water. The bill provides that for purposes of determining the number of acres justified as necessary for a surface drinking water source, the determination shall be limited to the needs of the population of the county where the lake is to be developed. STATUS: On House Calendar

SF 449 – Eminent Domain Clarifies the procedures and requirements for condemning property and for disposing of certain condemned real property when that property is to be offered for sale to the public. The bill also limits the amount of land that can be condemned for drinking water. The bill provides that for purposes of determining the number of acres justified as necessary for a surface drinking water source, the determination shall be limited to the needs of the population of the county where the lake is to be developed. STATUS: On House Calendar

Please note that Oversight bills are not subject to the funnel.