IAMU Leadership Conference February 5, 2013 Julie Smith, Legislative and Regulatory Counsel Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities literally all choked up… Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Politics of 2014 Session • Session started Monday January 13th – Push to end session early ‐ first and second funnels to be moved up one week ‐Feb. 21 and March 14 • Second year of 85th General Assembly – “It is ALIVE” • It’s ALL about the elections Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities 2014 Elections • March 14 filing… will know who won’t run again • Senate D’s 26/R’s 24 • House R’s 53/D’s 47 • Senate R’s and House D’s – think they can be in majority in 2015 – Senate: 11R seats/14 D seats – House: all 100 seats up • Will be a lot of pressure to make • Political campaign contributions and a good time to help with a local campaign Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Who are our legislators? Average age – House 54~Senate 55 Women – House 25% ~Senate 20% Professions: Farmers –House 18%~Senate 24% Retired –House 18%~Senate 14% Teachers –House 12%~Senate 6% Lawyers –House 10%~Senate 6% Public Safety –House 1%~Senate 8% Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Statewide Races • Congressional Races ‐Iowa will be VERY high profile –a LOT of money • WHY so many legislators and others? – opportunities for higher office are rare –wait 75 years…. 3 major seats w no incumbent • June 3 primary –a candidate needs 35% to win …otherwise election goes to a convention – those people who are elected to state convention vote for candidate who wins Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Senate Senate –Tom Harkin’s seat 6 Republicans • D’s Bruce Braley • Joni Ernst –Lt. Colonel Army National Guard, State Senator, endorsed by Lt. Gov. • Matt Whitaker, Sam Clovis, Mark Jacobs, Scott Schaben, Paul Lunde • Rumors of Bob VanderPlaats Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities District #1 –Bruce Braley’s seat • 5 Democrats • 3 Republicans • Rep. Anesa • Rep. Walt Rogers Kajtazovic • Swati Dandekar • Monica Vernon • Dave O’Brien • Rod Blum • Rep. Pat • Steve Rathje Murphy Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities District #2 • D – Representative • R’s ‐ Rep. Mark Lofgren Dave Loebsack Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Congressional District 3 • Tom Latham not running • State Senator Brad Zaun –Likely R to Toss‐Up • D ‐ Former State Senator Staci Appel – Rumors of Former Gov. Chet Culver • 6 R’s – Monte Shaw, – Robert Cramer, – Secretary of State Matt Schultz – David Young – Joe Grandanette Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Congressional District #4 • R ‐ Congressman Steve • D ‐ Jim Mowrer King Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Governor’s race Governor Branstad State Senator Jack Hatch Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Democrats and Republican Party #s • Secretary of State’s Office #’s of registered votes – R’s outnumber registered D’s by 1,334 voters Registered No Party voters –more than R and D • As of January 2nd: – Democrats: 615,428 – Republicans: 616,762 – No Party: 719,917 Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities • MuniPAC small compared to other utility PACs ‐ but we appreciate any contributions – $$ is used in an election year –to support legislators who support us • BID on MuniPAC silent auction items • As of Jan. 2014 ‐ $3900 • 2012 – distributed $5,000 Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities What are we up against? • More Money ‐ Cash on hand as of Jan. 2014 – MEC –2 PACs • MEC Effective Government Committee ‐ $43,788 • MEC Executive PAC ‐ $198,168 – REC’s ‐ $81,798 – Alliant ‐ $27,540 • More Manpower • More Lawyers Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Board and Manager campaign • PLEASE participate in MuniPAC and attend the legislative breakfast Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities IAMU Legislative Events • Water Day at the Capitol 2‐3‐2013 –IAMU gave legislators low‐flow showerheads • Joint statement –IRWA, AWWA, IAWA, DMWW, IAMU, League of Cities ‐ drinking water infrastructure needs • Special Presentation of water day gift to Bob Haug “If there is magic in Iowa, it is in the rural water!” Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Pictures from Water Day Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities The new “Bob Haug” “and I am not talking about the Governor” Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Legislative Breakfast • Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol – tomorrow 7:00 –8:30 – Parking –easy to park at bottom of stairs on WEST side – Written invites – distributed to legislators at Capitol – IAMU ‐ notepad, mechanical pencils, IAMU brochures, • Talk about legislation and Position statements • What can you do to foster legislative relations? – Offer to hold a legislative forum at the utility – Offer to give your legislator a tour of your facility – If your legislator is someone you support, you can offer to help put up yard signs, put up a yard sign in your yard, make calls, hold a fundraiser, etc… Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities 2014 Legislation • Rural Water –2 Mile Limit • Water Infrastructure • IUB Jurisdiction • Telecom ‐ Broadband Expansion • Distributed Generation • CleanLine • One Call • Open Meetings • Heating Costs Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Water “service territories” • HF 516 ‐ Last session –tough fights with rural water over two‐ mile limit bill – State, federal action ‐ put a lot of pressure on rural water groups to work something out – Representative Dave Deyoe – champion for cities, particularly in his district, Nevada, Ames • IRWA proposal (Oct.) ‐ goal of coming to an agreement that will provide more clarity in the 2 mile limits • Close to an agreement –hope to pass a bill this session • Please talk to your legislators and ask them to support our efforts – Position Statement – Discuss your own issues with two mile limit and planning outside your city Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities “Agreed to” amendment • All Rural water subject to two mile limit notification requirements – Must comply after July 1, 2014 – Notice not required if rural water is serving new customers or improving facilities within the existing service area or agreement with the city • Requires water plan be filed by certified mail with Board of Trustees • Shortens time city has to provide water service to 3 years instead of 4 years. Requires city to provide rural water with a map showing the city’s incorporated borders and the areas currently served • Creates reciprocal requirement on part of city and rural water. If city or rural water can’t provide service within three years, other party to be notified by certified mail • Shortens city’s response time from 90 days to 75 days. – If the city fails to respond within 75 days –rural water may provide service – City may request additional time–must respond within 165 days (current law is 180 days) – All notification must be by certified mail Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Agreement cont… • If city reserves the right to provide water service the city must show intent and ability to provide service by providing rural water with a copy of its plan • Creates similar protection from liability for city for failure to provide fire protection outside the city limits • Provision of service defined to mean delivering water in sufficient quantity and quality to meet the customer’s desired need. The DNR determines whether quantity is sufficient through construction permitting process • Allows for either party to request mediation if land is annexed Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Thanks Rep. Dave Deyoe • Mary Ann Hanusa (R, District 16), Chair • Bobby Kaufmann (R, District 73), Vice Chair • Roger Thomas (D, District 55), Ranking Member • Dwayne Alons (R, District 4) • Chip Baltimore (R, District 47) • Bruce Bearinger (D, District 64) • Dave Deyoe (R, District 49) • Nancy Dunkel (D, District 57) • Mary Gaskill (D, District 81) • Lisa Heddens (D, District 46) • Dave Jacoby (D, District 74) • Ron Jorgensen (R, District 6) • Mark S. Lofgren (R, District 91) • Helen Miller (D, District 9) • Brian Moore (R, District 58) • Scott Ourth (D, District 26) • Walt Rogers (R, District 60) • Jason Schultz (R, District 18) • Larry Sheets (R, District 80) • Rob Taylor (R, District 44) • Frank Wood (D, District 92) Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Water Infrastructure • Joint statement by IAMU, IAWA, DMWW, IRWA, AWWA –“water infrastructure plays a critical role in protecting public health, promoting economic prosperity , and ensuring a good quality of life across the state” – Systems are aging and neglected – Expensive system upgrades to comply with stringent regulations • State appropriation for grants and loan funding • Water quality trading • Cost effective alternative technologies • Bill hasn’t been filed yet Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities IUB Jurisdiction Deposits • Rockford Municipal Light Plant ‐ FCU‐2013‐0008 – IUB found they DID have jurisdiction over electric and gas deposit amount • Calculation of deposit based on past 12 months usage –if unoccupied –move to prior 12 months • Primghar complaint ‐ Primghar – complaint against deposit of $250 for all utilities • Primghar response –IUB deposit would be higher for customer –electric ($191.15) + garbage, sewer ($73.80) = $265.10 Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities IUB Jurisdiction, cont. • SSB 3018, Bob Dvorsky, Ch, Herman Quirmbach, Mark Mark Chelgren • HSB 594, Quentin Stanerson, Ch, Ted Gassman, Frank Wood • THANKS to House Local Government Chair, Jason Schultz and Senate Local Government Chair Mary Jo Wilhelm • Please talk to your legislators about this issue – Position Statement – What does