FLOOR ACTION:

SF 2071 appropriates $8.5 million in additional funding to the Department of Corrections. This is $2 million more than the Governor’s proposal. The additional $2 million in funding is reflected in the table below beginning with Rockwell City. Funds will be distributed as follows:

In addition, the bill gives counties another chance to apply for the $5 million remaining in the Mental Health Risk Pool. A three-tiered, needs-based system is established. [2/1: 26-23 (Party line, Greiner excused)]

“Iowans want Republican and Democratic legislators to focus our efforts on expanding job creation and improving educational opportunity,” said Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “That’s why jobs and student achievement are the top Democratic priorities, and I know many Republicans share those priorities.  We will consider any idea—regardless of who suggests it—that will help the Iowa economy grow.”

The Senate Democratic plan calls for $6.218 billion in general fund spending, $25.2 million less than Governor Branstad’s proposed budget.  The Senate Democrats include a commercial property tax cut that especially helps Iowa’s small businesses and new workforce training to reduce Iowa’s skilled worker shortfall. The plan also calls for increased state support for Iowa’s local schools and a tax cut for working Iowans (Earned Income Tax Credit)

Spreadshett of FY 13 Senate Targets

COMMITTEE ACTION:

SSB 3071 appropriates $8.5 million in additional funding to the Department of Corrections. This is $2 million more than the Governor’s proposal of $6.5 million. It would be distributed as follows:

In addition, the bill gives counties another chance to apply for the $5 million remaining in the Mental Health Risk Pool. A three-tiered, needs-based system is established. [1/25: 12-8 (Party line, Danielson excused)]

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 2018 contains corrective language to ensure the $3 million appropriated during the 2011 session for the Battleship Iowa can be spent. The highlights of the bill include:

** Directing the Department of Cultural Affairs to award a $3 million grant to the nonprofit group that has been awarded possession of the Battleship Iowa. 

** The $3 million is to be used to assist the organization in improving the USS Iowa’s infrastructure. This includes hull and superstructure preparation and painting, ship repairs and improvements, transportation and towing of the ship, pier and dock preparation and improvements, and museum development.

** Funds held in the Iowa BB-61 account shall be transferred to the nonprofit within 30 days after the effective date of this act.

** The nonprofit is required to file a report with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the State Auditor itemizing the expenditures. The first report is due after half of the funds have been spent; the second report is due when all of the funds have been spent. . 

** The funds do not revert, and this Act is effective upon enactment [1/18: 49-0 (Sorenson excused)]

COMMITTEE & FLOOR ACTION:

SF 2007 increases the FY12 appropriation made to the College Student Aid Commission by $1.3 million. The program provides educational assistance for members of the Iowa National Guard who are enrolled as undergraduate students in a community college, a regent’s university or an accredited private institution. The bill takes effect upon enactment. [1/18: 49-0 (Sorenson excused); 1/12: 17-0 (Dotzler, Fraise, Houser, McCoy excused)]

COMMITTEE ACTION:

SSB 3008 contains corrective language to ensure the $3 million appropriated for the Battleship Iowa will be spent. The bill:

• Directs the Department of Cultural Affairs to award a $3 million grant to the nonprofit group that has been awarded possession of the Battleship Iowa. 
• The $3 million is to be used to assist the organization in improving the USS Iowa’s infrastructure. This includes hull and superstructure preparation and painting, ship repairs and improvements, transportation and towing of the ship, pier and dock preparation and improvements, and museum development.
• Funds held in the Iowa BB-61 account shall be transferred to the nonprofit within 30 days after the effective date of this act.
• The nonprofit is required to file a report with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the State Auditor itemizing the expenditures. The first report is due after half of the funds have been spent; the second report is due when all of the funds have been spent.
• The funds do not revert, and this Act is effective upon enactment.  [1/11: 20-0 (Dotzler, Houser, McCoy excused)]

Click here to download an abridged, one page version of this document (PDF).

Bipartisan Accomplishments

The highlights of the 2011 session of the Iowa Legislature include initiatives to improve our quality of life and create more opportunities for our children and grandchildren. The highlights include:  

 Balancing the budget without raising taxes: The state budget has an ending balance of $264 million and we put $594 million in our savings accounts. This means Iowa has a total of $858 million in its savings accounts.

Maintaining educational opportunity: Educating our students and helping workers gain top-notch skills is one of the best investments we can make in Iowa’s future. That’s why Iowans reacted strongly against the deep cuts to education demanded by Republican legislators. Fortunately, we were able to fight for a compromise that maintains Iowan’s commitment to our children.

• Saving preschool: We rejected Republicans’ efforts to completely eliminate our state’s successful public-private preschool partnership. Closing preschools would only hurt middle-class families already struggling in today’s tough economy. Instead, we reached a bipartisan compromise (SF 533) that reduces the program’s funding but maintains the integrity of the program and keeps preschools open.
• No two-year starvation diet for schools: Funding for education should not be a partisan issue, but for the first time ever House Republicans and the Governor proposed no new money for K-12 schools for two years in a row.  Although Senate Democrats were forced to accept no growth this year, we successfully fought to secure 2 percent growth in funding next year.
• Increasing student achievement: The Iowa Core Curriculum is key to improving student achievement and giving all Iowa children high-quality educational opportunities.  It is strongly supported by Iowa’s local school officials, parents, and teachers. The Governor and House Republicans sought to abandon the Core Curriculum, but Senate Democrats brokered a compromise on HF 645 to keep the program at an adequate funding level to continue this important work.
• Preparing workers for 21^st century jobs: Iowa’s nationally-recognized community colleges helped unemployed and underemployed workers improve their skills and provide a better future for their families.  They also work closely with local businesses to fill shortages of skilled workers and help Iowa’s economy grow.  HF 645 and HF 648, our compromise education and infrastructure bills, include stable funding for community colleges and job training programs.

Economic development: The Legislature adopted several measures to improve economic development in Iowa. Unfortunately, you’ll find the vast majority of our job creation proposals in the “Missed Opportunities” section because the House failed to act on a number of Senate-approved small business job creation proposals.

• Job creation: One of the most important jobs of the Legislature is to invest in long-range economic development to ensure future growth across our state.  With the passage of HF 648, the Legislature maintained its commitment to the Iowa Values Fund, the state’s highly successful job-creation initiative.
• State universities as engines for growth: In HF 648 and SF 517, the Legislature maintained its commitment to economic development efforts spearheaded by the State Universities. The universities work with businesses on technology commercialization, marketing, entrepreneurship, and business growth.
• Public-private economic development partnership: HF 590 encourages the creation and retention of high-quality jobs through reforms to state economic development efforts. The new Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress will replace the Iowa Department of Economic Development with a public-private partnership. Senate Democrats fought to include transparency measures to ensure accountability to the taxpayers.
• Helping innovative businesses grow: SF 517 creates a new tax credit for investments in early-stage, innovative businesses. This new tax credit program will help startup businesses grow and move Iowa’s economy forward.
• Clean energy incentives: SF 531 extends the current biodiesel tax credit for an additional six years, increases the ethanol promotion tax credit and the E85 promotion tax credit, creates a new E15 tax credit, and provides $3 million for the development of clean energy infrastructure.
• Saving Workforce Development offices: We shouldn’t create more barriers between Iowa workers looking for jobs and businesses looking to hire, but Governor Branstad proposed closing 37 Workforce Development offices across the state, mostly in rural areas. Senate Democrats worked with the House Republicans to pass SF 517, bipartisan legislation prohibiting the Governor from closing these offices that help out-of-work Iowans get back on their feet.
  
• Returning surpluses to the taxpayers: SF 209 prevents state government from spending more than it takes in by establishing a Taxpayers Trust Fund to capture surplus revenues and return them to the taxpayers through tax credits.
• Bringing businesses to Iowa: SF 260 removes penalties on certain businesses seeking to incorporate in Iowa.
• Restoring Main Streets: SF 521 increases the availability of Historic Preservation Tax Credits so that communities have more flexibility to pursue restoration projects.
• Expanding markets for family farmers: SF 509 establishes a local foods program that will connect local farmers with nearby people and institutions like schools who want to buy their products. The program will expand the market for smaller farmers selling Iowa grown produce and meat.
• Revitalization of blight: SF 514 provides $5 million in tax credits to help communities clean-up and revitalize their business districts and industrial parks.
• Encouraging privately-funded community improvements: SF 302 provides an additional $800,000 for Endow Iowa tax credits, which allow a private citizen or business to make a tax-deductible donation to a community foundation. These donations fund projects, including building improvements, playground equipment, public safety improvements, nature centers, and trail development.

Increasing transparency and accountability: The Legislature approved several pieces of legislation designed to hold our elected officials accountable and to make sure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted, including:

• Online lobbyist disclosures: HF 126 creates an online, searchable database of lobbyists’ positions on bills and their client reports.
• Online budgeting: HF 45 establishes a single, searchable online database that will make it easier for Iowans to see how their tax dollars are spent. The Web site will also allow Iowans to review all Iowa tax rates and learn about state tax credits and who receives those credits.
• Strengthening sunshine laws: SF 289 increases the penalty for an open meetings/open records violation to a maximum of $2,500, a five-fold increase. The bill ensures that public officials will think twice before knowingly hiding information from taxpayers.
• Strengthening checks and balances: HF 148 limits the ability of a governor to transfer funds when the Legislature is not in session. Currently, Iowa governors have some of the most liberal transfer authority in the nation, potentially undermining the Legislature’s constitutional duty to write the state budget. This reform legislation passed unanimously and is supported by Governor Branstad.
• Requiring felons to repay undeserved income: HF 493 requires public employees put on administrative leave because they were charged with a felony to pay back wages if they are convicted.
• Legislative redistricting: On April 19, Governor Branstad signed into law HF 682, the statewide redistricting plan proposed by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency and approved by the Legislature. The new maps are designed to give every Iowan equal political representation without regard to political parties or where elected officials live. Iowa is a model state for redistricting and other states are now considering adopting our process.

Health Care: The Legislature moved ahead this year with several initiatives to improve the quality of health care in Iowa:

• Mental health redesign: SF 525 establishes an interim legislative committee to provide recommendations for mental health and disability services.  The goal is to reorganize Iowa’s system mental health and disability services to provide higher-quality, more accessible care to Iowans more efficiently.
• Improving treatment for Alzheimer’s and epilepsy: With the passage of HF 390 and HF 322, the Legislature created task forces to study the best ways to treat Iowans suffering from Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.
• Protecting seniors from abuse: Senate Democrats amended House File 646 to ensure quality oversight of nursing care facilities by re-establishing 10 long-term care inspectors, three inspectors for Residential Care Facilities, and one staff attorney position to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.
• Preventing brain injuries: Under SF 367, student athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion in a game will be removed from competition until they’ve been examined by a licensed healthcare provider. The National Football League and the Brain Injury Association of Iowa pushed for this new legislation to prevent and properly respond to sports-related concussions and other brain injuries in Iowa’s youth sports programs.

Safer communities: The Legislature approved these measures designed to make Iowa communities safer:

• Preventing alcohol-related deaths: The Legislature passed HF 617, which bans the sale of high-alcohol beer containing added caffeine or other stimulants, also known as “blackout in a can”. These cheap drinks come in fruit flavors and are popular among college students and teenagers, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations, permanent damage to livers and hearts, and deaths.
  The Legislature also approved SF 7, a bill to improve the safety of Iowa’s waterways by lowering the blood alcohol content limit for boating from .10 to .08. Since 2007, 236 people suspected of boating while intoxicated turned out to have a blood alcohol content between .08 and .099. These people would not be able to drive on our roads, but they were still allowed to boat on our waterways.
• Banning designer drugs: With the passage of SF 510, the Legislature made it illegal to possess, manufacture, or distribute three types of hallucinogenic drugs that have resulted in serious complications requiring visits to emergency rooms for many users.  Law enforcement personnel came to the Legislature with the request to criminalize the recreational drugs known as K2 (synthetic marijuana), salvia divinorum, and bath salts.  The Legislature agreed that these drugs are dangerous and need to be outlawed in Iowa.
• Safer prisons: SF 124 makes it a criminal offense to knowingly supply cell phones and other electronic contraband to a prison inmate. Prisoners have been using contraband cell phones to reach outside the prison walls to call and threaten witnesses or conduct drug deals.
• Keeping guns away from the mentally ill: The Legislature passed SF 456 to ensure persons with serious mental health issues will be prohibited from purchasing and carrying guns.
• Fallen officer license plates: HF 651 establishes new Iowa license plates honoring fallen peace officers. Proceeds benefit organizations like COPS that help victims’ families rebuild after tragedy strikes.

Honoring veterans: With 3,500 Iowa military men and women currently serving in Iowa’s largest single overseas deployment of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II, we’re determined to show not just our gratitude but our dedicated support. The Legislature approved several measures to help veterans and active military receive their benefits:

• No state taxes on military pay: The Legislature approved HF 652, making tax-exempt all income from the federal government for military service while on active duty in the armed forces, military reserve or National Guard. This tax exemption is retroactive to January 1 of this year.
• Preventing “stolen valor”: The Legislature approved SF 397 to protect those who’ve answered the call to military service from theft of the honor they’ve earned. The bill makes it a serious misdemeanor to impersonate a decorated military veteran with the intent to receive monetary gain, such as a job, promotion, or political office.
• Protecting veterans from unnecessary fees: The Legislature unanimously approved legislation to protect veterans from paying unnecessary fees. Under SF 399, any company or individual that charges a fee to help veterans file benefit appeals would be required to clearly disclose that these services are provided for free at local veterans’ affairs offices.
• College tuition for Iowa National Guard members: SF 389 ensures funding for the National Guard Education Assistance program, which helps our soldiers attend Iowa colleges and universities.
• Divestment from Iran: We must stop Iowa tax dollars from being invested in a country that is supporting the enemies of the American military. It’s a national security issue, a veterans’ issue, an American issue, and an Iowa issue. That’s why the Legislature approved HF 484, a bill to divest public funds from companies doing business in Iran.
• Purple Heart Day: August 7 will now officially be “Purple Heart Day” here in Iowa. Under HF 474, unanimously approved by the Legislature, state and local governments—and ALL Iowans—are encouraged to observe Purple Heart Day in a way that honors the sacrifice of our military men and women killed or wounded in enemy action.
• Injured Veterans Grant program: SF 402 allows a veteran who previously received an injured veterans grant to be eligible for an additional grant for a subsequent serious injury received in the line of duty. The Legislation was proposed after a soldier who had received a grant was re-deployed and received another serious injury in the line of duty during that deployment.
• Posthumously conceived children: When a service member is deployed to a war zone or when a person becomes seriously ill, injuries or treatments could prevent that person from conceiving a child. That’s why a person’s genetic material is sometimes saved by military families for later use. HF 245 ensures that children who are conceived using the genetic material of a parent who has died will be considered a legitimate child.
• Veterans license plates: HF 651 establishes new Iowa license plates honoring recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Combat Medical Badge. Proceeds benefit the Iowa Commission on Veterans Affairs.

Quality of Life: Recreational opportunities and a high quality of life are a big part of what makes Iowa a great place to live and raise a family, a major factor in attracting businesses to the state. The Legislature took several steps to improve the quality of life in Iowa:

• Great Places: HF 648 reaffirmed our commitment to the “Great Places” initiative by approving $1 million for “Great Places” communities.  The Great Places initiative helps Iowa communities, regions, and neighborhoods cultivate the unique qualities that make them attractive to tourism.
• Mortgage Foreclosure Hotline: SF 510 extends the notice requirements for the Iowa Attorney General’s Mortgage Foreclosure Hotline.  Banks and other entities that are foreclosing on home mortgages will continue to be required to notify homeowners that they can receive mortgage mediation assistance from the Attorney General’s office.  By keeping the hotline up and running, the Attorney General’s office will be able to continue helping thousands of Iowans stay in their homes.
• Preserving and promoting the Iowa State Fair: SF 361 created an endowment trust fund called the Iowa State Fairgrounds Trust Fund. Moneys in the fund are for the maintenance and improvement of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The fund is composed of gifts and is not part of the state treasury.
• Library reorganization: HF 645 merges the State Library and its six Library Service Areas to streamline services and save money. The Legislature will continue to monitor the reorganization’s impact on rural libraries.

Missed Opportunities for Main Street Job Creation

Senate Democrats approved numerous job creation initiatives targeted to help Main Street small businesses, but Republicans failed to act on these proposals. We vow to keep fighting for job creation in the 2012 session.

• Commercial property tax relief for small businesses: SF 522 would have provided $200 million annually in commercial property tax relief without shifting the burden to homeowners. Four out of five businesses would have done better under the Senate plan because it targeted the greatest benefit to Iowa’s small businesses. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Affordable health insurance for small businesses: SF 506 would have benefitted 60,000 Iowa businesses with 10 or fewer employees by providing a tax credit to defray the cost of employee health insurance. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Eliminating bureaucratic red tape: SF 471 would have provided a formal review of state red tape affecting small businesses and workers, making sure the benefits of rules and regulations outweigh the costs. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Low-interest loans for small business: SF 301, an expansion of the “Save Our Small Business” loan fund, would have provided credit to small businesses struggling to recover from the national recession. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Skilled worker training: SF 328 would have helped Iowans earn industry-approved job training certificates to prepare them for 21^st century jobs. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Clean energy incentives: SF 516 would have jumpstarted Iowa’s clean energy industry through consumer rebates for home and business small solar or small wind projects. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Working families tax cut: SF 533 included a job creation tax cut that would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, putting more money in the pockets of working Iowa families with incomes less than $45,000. (Governor Branstad vetoed the legislation.)

Other missed opportunities from the 2011 session include:

• Extending unemployment benefits for 7,150 struggling Iowans: Republicans rejected federal dollars that would have helped put food on the table of Iowans struggling to recover from the national economic recession.
• Saving Workforce Development offices: We shouldn’t create more barriers between Iowa workers looking for jobs and businesses looking to hire, but Governor Branstad proposed closing 39 Workforce Development offices across the state, mostly in rural areas. Senate Democrats worked with the House Republicans to pass SF 517, bipartisan legislation prohibiting the Governor from closing these offices that help out-of-work Iowans get back on their feet. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad defied the Legislature’s wishes and vetoed the requirement to keep the offices open. Under Governor Branstad’s administration, workforce offices will close and services for the unemployed will be lost.  (Governor Branstad vetoed the legislation.)
• Making sure Iowa workers get paid: Failing to enforce wage laws and follow minimum standards cheats legal workers, drives down wages and is unfair to Iowa businesses that play by the rules. The Senate passed SF 311 which was aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous employers stealing wages from their workers. In addition, the bill provided for better whistle blower protection. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill).
• Punishing domestic abusers: Republicans turned their backs on victims of domestic violence when they refused to even consider SF 93, a bill enhancing punishment for abusers who choke their victims. Choking is one of the most common forms of domestic abuse and yet abusers often get just a slap on the wrist because of the lack of obvious physical injury. Choking can quickly lead to death and should be punished appropriately. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Ending the sale of “get out of jail” passes: House Republicans refused to even consider SF 121, which would have prohibited a criminal defendant from making a donation in lieu of performing their community service. The rich should not be able to buy their way out of punishment for a crime they committed. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Protecting teen drivers: According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 16-year-old drivers are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers ages 20 to 24. That’s why everyone benefits when we do more to ensure teen drivers are prepared to get behind the wheel. SF 184 would have required teen drivers to get experience in all weather conditions before advancing to an intermediate license, and it would have limited the number of passengers during a teen’s first six months with the intermediate license. (House Republicans failed to take up the bill.)
• Consumer protection for mobile home owners: Owners of manufactured homes would have more rights if legislation approved by a Senate committee became law. SF 252 was introduced in response to the deplorable living conditions at a group of Iowa mobile home parks run by an out-of-state company. (Bill failed in the Senate 23-25.)
• Transparency for education funds: HF 645 would increase transparency and accountability at education-related, taxpayer-funded organizations like the Iowa Association of School Boards. Such organizations would be required to comply with open meetings and open records laws and would be subject to regular audits and whistleblower protections. In addition, school districts would need to show taxpayers how much they spend on services through these organizations. (Governor Branstad vetoed the legislation.)
• Community Attraction and Tourism: The Legislature did continue funding to the state’s popular Community Attraction and Tourism Program despite Governor Branstad’ s proposed budget which provide zero funding. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed a $10 million increase in HF 648. The program will only receive $5 million for the next fiscal year which means fewer economic development projects will be funded. The Community Attraction and Tourism Program promotes local recreational, cultural, educational, or entertainment attractions. This program promotes public-private partnerships, leveraging financial resources and supporting local leadership across Iowa. (Governor Branstad vetoed the legislation.)

The Graveyard of Bad Ideas

Some of the best news of the 2011 session was that several dreadful proposals died because of opposition by Iowans across the state and by Democrats in the Legislature. A short list of those dead bills includes:

• Wisconsin comes to Iowa: Republicans tried to eliminate collective bargaining rights in HF 525, just like Governor Walker did in Wisconsin. A second union busting bill would have allowed schools to unilaterally void teacher contracts without any warning or appeals process.
• Kicking 26,100 kids off health insurance rolls: Republicans wanted to slash eligibility for Hawk-I, the program that provides affordable health care to Iowa kids living in poverty. SF 111 would have prevented 26,100 children from seeing a doctor when they get sick.
• “Give a gun to a schizophrenic” bill: Republicans introduced HSB 219, which would repeal all concealed weapons permits. The bill was so out there that the Republican Speaker Pro Tem of the House dubbed it the “give a gun to a schizophrenic bill.” Another Republican-sponsored gun bill, HSB 36, would have given every Iowan the right to shoot someone they believe to be trespassing at any location, not just their own property.
• Fiscally irresponsible tax cuts for the rich: Republicans introduced HF 194, which would cut personal income taxes for all income levels, including millionaires, by 20%. The tax cut would have cost $205 million in the first year and $738 million in the second year.
• Helping Walmart and raising residential property taxes: Republicans proposed a large corporate tax break that would give millions to large out-of-state corporations, create the largest property tax hike for homeowners in the state’s history, and eliminate job-creation efforts in many Iowa communities.
• Poor budgeting practices: The Republican budget proposals ignored the fact that some state programs receive matching federal dollars, meaning state dollars leverage much larger sums from the federal government. For example, Republicans proposed cutting $130,000 in state funding for the school lunch program, which would have cost Iowa an additional $11.5 million in federal matching dollars. This type of shoddy budgeting would have shifted the burden of paying for services onto the backs of middle-class Iowans.
• Politicizing the courts: Republicans introduced dozens of bills to roll back the clock on marriage equality and politicize the judicial system. They even proposed eliminating straight couples’ domestic partnerships. Republicans also introduced SJR 13 requiring justices to be elected, making them partisan political figures who must raise money and campaign for office.
• Stoking the “birther” sideshow: Republicans borrowed a page from Donald Trump’s playbook and introduced SF 368 to require all presidential and vice presidential candidates to present their birth certificates. The bill was a divisive distraction at a time when the Legislature should be focused on job creation.
• Making it harder to vote: HF 95 would have required voters to show ID at the polls, presenting a significant obstacle for poor and working-class voters. There have been no prosecutions for voter fraud in Iowa and a bipartisan group of county elections officials opposed the bill, suggesting that it was in fact just an attempt to disenfranchise Democratic-leaning voters.
• Eliminating help for special needs students: Republican-sponsored SF 51 would eliminate Area Education Associations (AEAs), which are regional service agencies that provide special education support services to both private and public schools. AEAs also provide media and technology services, instructional services, professional development and leadership to help improve student achievement.
• Not paying the state’s bills: With the Legislature’s approval of SF 209, the State will finally pay more than $3 million in overdue bills to nearly 1,000 attorneys, court reporters, investigators, and others who’ve done constitutionally required work for the State. Republicans had previously refused to pay for services already rendered.
• Eliminating a woman’s right to choose and banning contraceptives: Republicans introduced a dozen bills limiting reproductive freedom, including a ban on contraceptives and a ban on all abortions, even in cases of rape, incest, or severe deformation of the fetus.
• Returning to the gold standard: Republicans introduced SF 347, legislation requiring Iowans to pay their taxes and court fines using silver and gold coins.
• Making kids fatter: With HF 74, Republicans attempted to eliminate the Healthy Kids Act, which establishes Physical Education and nutrition standards for schools.

Note: documents were updated 8/1/11 to reflect the Governor’s vetoes.

SF 508 – Federal Block Grant FY12 & FY13

SF 509 – Ag & Natural Resources Budget, FY12 & FY13

SF 510 – Justice Systems Appropriations bill

SF 517 – Economic Development Budget

SF 535 – Duties of Secretary of Agriculture on the Water Resources Coordinating Council

SF 536 – Transportation Budget, FY12 & FY13

SF 537 – Judicial Branch appropriations bill

SF 538 – Standings & miscellaneous provisions

SF 539 – Education Budget, FY12 & FY13

SF 540 – Administration & Regulation Budget, FY12

SF 541 – Infrastructure & Capitals Budget, FY12

SF 542 – Health & Human Services Budget, FY12 & FY13

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 508 authorizes the receipt and expenditure of federal funds totaling $6.3 billion for Federal Fiscal Year 2012 (FFY12). This is a decrease of $735.4 million compared to FFY11. Iowa will receive $196.3 million in federal specific block grants including Substance Abuse ($13.6 million), Community Mental Health Services ($3.4 million), Maternal and Child Health Services ($6.5 million), Preventive Health and Health Services ($1.1 million), Stop Violence Against Women ($1.6 million), Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners ($247,000), Law Enforcement Drug Policy “Edward Byrne Memorial” ($3 million), Community Services ($7.5 million), Community Development ($28.5 million), Low-Income Energy Assistance ($70.5 million), Social Services ($16.6 million), Child Care and Development ($43.8 million). The budget also includes appropriations for FY13, which are set at 100 percent of FY12 levels. [6/21: 46-4 (Hamerlinck, Feenstra, Ward, Kapucian absent)]

SF 509 appropriates money for the Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for FY12. The bill also includes money for wildlife and outdoor recreation programs, state parks, soil and water conservation efforts, air and water quality programs, and the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. On this passage, the Senate voted on a new proposed budget, which reduced general fund spending by $800,000 from the original Senate bill, incorporated some items that the House had included in its budget and additional language regarding funding for a soil nutrient mass study, directing animal feeding operation fine money to the Watershed Improvement Review Board, and allowing rural improvement zones to pay for watershed improvement practices outside of their boundaries. The amended version also increased funding for state parks operations and support for the DNR’s Geologic and Water Survey Bureau. The budget also includes appropriations for FY13, which are set at 50 percent of FY12 levels, with the exception of REAP, which is funded at $15 million.

General Fund Appropriations: IDALS will receive $16,497,308, which is $375,000 less than FY11, and equal to the House proposed funding level. The appropriation to IDALS includes $238,000 to Iowa State University for the Midwest Wine and Grape Industry Institute, which provides support for the wine and grape industry in the state. DNR is appropriated $12,291,688, a reduction of $1,156,916 from FY11, and is $25,000 above the proposed House level. The bill also includes a general fund appropriation of $3,237,636 for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University, a reduction of $206,658 from FY 11. Also included is a new appropriation of $25,000 for agricultural education for future farmers and $75,000 for a local foods program coordinator.

Appropriations from other funds: The bill includes appropriations from the Fish and Game Protection Fund and the Environment First Fund (EFF). The amount of money appropriated to DNR from the Fish and Game Protection Fund is $38,793,154, the same as in FY11. DNR is allowed to use money in the Fish and Game Protection Fund to pay for salary adjustments for positions. This will help the DNR avoid layoffs, including boating safety enforcement on lakes during the summer months. The position of assistant to the chief of the law enforcement bureau is eliminated to provide funding for an additional conservation field officer.

The EFF appropriates $33 million, which is the same amount as FY11. The EFF includes funding for REAP, in addition to programs for soil, water and air quality and protection. The EFF now includes money for soil conservation cost share practices that were funded by capital bond appropriations last year. REAP is decreased from last year’s appropriation, but the bill does fund it at $12,375,000, which is $875,000 higher than the Governor’s level. Other significant changes from the Governor’s proposal are additional funding for state parks, forestry health management programs, and animal feeding operations regulation. The bill eliminates appropriations for Loess Hills and Southern Iowa C&D and agricultural drainage wells. There are more than $5 million in funded agricultural drainage wells projects outstanding, and the bill calls for IDALS to prepare a report that identifies the remaining wells to be closed, a timeline for the closure of those wells, and a projected cost to close the wells. More information on funding changes for programs under the EFF is included below.

The bill provides a $200,000 increase in funding for motor fuel inspections paid for from the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Fund. The bill also contains status quo appropriations from other accounts, including:
** Unclaimed winnings account for the Native Horse and Dog program.
** The snowmobile trust fund for program administration.
** The groundwater protection fund for programs outlined in Code (455E.11).
** The Underground Storage tank (UST) fund for administration expenses.

The bill also allows for the non-reversion of funds appropriated to the DNR from the UST fund for the development of a database for UST inspections and for technical review support of leaking UST assessments by nongovernmental entities.

The bill appropriates $400,000 a year for three years from the solid waste account of the groundwater protection fund for DNR to use to administer a derelict building clean-up grant program for projects in communities with a population of 5,000 or less. This program will be in coordination with the community beautification grant program operated by a statewide non-profit organization that was authorized last year for a four-year period.

Environment First Fund – Changes in funding from FY11: There are increases and decreases in funding for programs that are paid for from the EFF, including:
** A decrease of $500,000 for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
** A decrease of $600,000 for the Watershed Protection Program.
** A decrease of $225,000 for the Farm Management Demonstration Program. The $400,000 direct allocation to Soybean Association was removed, and the Secretary of Agriculture will set that allocation level.
** A decrease of $1.3 million for the Agricultural Drainage Wells Program. The ADW program will continue with approximately $5 million of outstanding projects that are currently funded, but IDALS will compile a report to assess the options and cost for closure of the remaining wells.
** A decrease of $300,000 for the Conservation Reserve Program.
** A decrease of $250,000 for the Southern Iowa Conservation and Development Authority. This eliminates funding for the program.
** A decrease of $500,000 for the Loess Hills Conservation and Development Authority. This eliminates funding for the program.
** An increase of $5.3 million for the Soil and Water Conservation Cost Share Program. The cost share program receives an overall net decrease of $700,000 from FY11. The program received funding from capitals bonds and the EFF for FY11. The amended version of the bill incorporates a House proposal that allows up to $50,000 of the cost share program money to be used to pay for the administrative costs of the Watershed Improvement Review Board.
** An increase $248,000 for Cost Share Administration expenditures.
** Increase of $940,000 for State Park operations and maintenance.
** Decrease of $88,000 for the Animal Feeding Operations Program.
** Decrease of $2.6 million for the REAP Fund.
** Decrease of $150,000 for the Resource Conservation and Development Fund.
** Increase of $100,000 for the Forestry Management Program.
** Increase of $200,000 for Geologic and Water Survey bureau in DNR.

Additional language included in this revised budget allows the Watershed Improvement Review Board to use up to $50,000 of its funds to pay for a soil nutrient balance study by IDALS and Iowa State University.  The study will examine the impact soil nutrient mass has on soil productivity, sustainability, water quality and the ability of soil to absorb and retain precipitation. Other changes include allowing rural improvement zones, such as Lake Panorama, to use their fund for watershed projects outside their borders (currently they can only use money within their boundaries.), and directing fines and civil penalties from animal feeding operations to the WIRB fund to pay for watershed projects. [6/21: 26-21 (party-line; Hamerlinck, Kapucian, Ward excused)]

SF 510 is the Justice Systems Appropriations bill. The Senate voted to adopt a strike-after amendment to the House’s strike-after amendment to the bill. Senate File 510, as amended by H-1744, appropriates a total of $506.3 million from the General Fund and 5,822.9 FTEs positions for FY 2012. This is an increase of $14.8 million compared to estimated FY 2011 and an increase of $621,802 compared to HF 697 (Omnibus Appropriations Bill). Senate File 510 also appropriates $13.2 million from other funds. This is no change compared to estimated FY2011 and an increase of $200,181 compared to HF 697. Biennial Budgeting – FY 2013: House File 697 appropriates General Fund, other funds, and FTE positions for FY 2013 for the Justice System budget and includes necessary corresponding language. These appropriations are equal to 85 percent of the House Omnibus appropriations for FY2012, except for the Office of the State Public Defender and Indigent Defense. The Senate provides 50 percent of the FY 2012 Senate action appropriations for FY 2013. (6/22: 27-19 party line vote, with Zaun voting yes; Hammerlinck, Feenstra, Kapucian Ward excused)]

SF 517 provides appropriations to the Department of Cultural Affairs, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Workforce Development, Public Employment Relations Board, Economic Development programs at Iowa Regent Universities, and the Iowa Finance Authority. On this passage, the Senate’s general fund target was $36.2 million ($1 million less than the previous passed budget, which includes funding in Senate File 527 for the Iowa Finance Authority).

Highlights include:
**Department of Cultural Affairs: $5,028,756. This appropriation includes funding for Community Cultural Grants, Historic Sites, administration of Great Places and the Battle Flag Stabilization.
**Economic Development: The three divisions of IDED have been combined into one (Administration, Business and Community Development). IDED appropriation: $9,638,789.
**World Food Prize is funded at: $500,000.
**Board of Regents: $3,208,297.
**Iowa Workforce Development’s Labor Services Division: $3,495,440.
** Workers’ Compensation Division: $3,366,768 ($300,000 is from FY11 funds).
** Field Operations: $8,671,352 (please see other funds for an appropriation from the penalty and interest fund). We are keeping the language that states Workforce Development shall keep offices open. An appropriation of $3.4 million from the remaining funds of the Save Our Small Business Fund was made to Iowa Workforce Development for field office operations.
** Offender Reentry Program: $284,464.
** Employee Misclassification: $451,458.
** Public Employment Relations Board: $1,057,871.

Other non-General Funds:
** Special Contingency Fund (a.k.a. Penalty and Interest Fund) for Iowa Workforce field offices: $1,217,084.
** Iowa Workforce Field Offices, UI Reserve Interest: $4,238,260.
** The bill contains non-reversion language for Taiwan Trade Office, which was authorized in HF 2531 in 2010.
** The bill also allows an extension for IWD on the integration plan for all of the Regional One-Stop Field Offices, extended from 2012 to 2014. We restrict Workforce Development from using moneys appropriated in this budget for the purposes of the National Career Readiness Certificate program. This will save $975,000, and this money can be used for the operations of the field offices. In addition, the Senate added corrective changes to low-income housing and historic tax credits. Also, Senate added a new Innovation Fund Investment Tax Credit program for $8 million under the Department of Economic Development tax credit cap and $2 million for community-based seed investment tax credits also under the DED cap. [6/21: 26-20, Feenstra, Hamerlinck, Kapucian, Ward excused]

SF 535 establishes the Secretary of Agriculture as the chair of the Water Resources Coordinating Council. Currently, the Governor or his designee is the chair of the council. The council was established by legislation passed in 2008, and was meant to bring some coordination to the wide range of watershed programs that are offered by state, federal and local agencies. The council has not worked as well as planned, and the goal is to bring more focus to this effort by making it a responsibility of the Secretary, whose department has a soil conservation and watershed management mission along with its agricultural focus. [6/21: 46-0 (Feenstra, Hamerlinck, Kapucian, Ward excused)]

SF 539 appropriates $812,774,336 to the Departments of the Blind, College Student Aid Commission, Education and the Board of Regents and 12,280 FTE’s. The Education Appropriations Committee tried to fund our Democratic priorities. Once key numbers were set, we applied an “across the board” percentage to all other line-items in order to achieve our target number. The first Senate version (HF 645) had an ATB cut of 3.13 percent. The new Senate bill has an ATB of 6.78 percent, unless noted otherwise below. Where there were major differences between the House Omnibus bill and the Senate’s HF 645, we tried to find compromise by “splitting the difference” in funding amount. The new Senate Education Appropriations bill funds all line-items for FY13 at 50 percent of our FY12 appropriation levels. This bill still provides for a $10.5 million increase for community colleges, a 3 percent reduction in Regents, preserves Universal Preschool in the school aid formula and funds many of our PreK-12 priorities at a level higher than the House.

** FY11: $835,616,331.
** FY12 Gov. Proposal: $815,913,310.
** HF 645 House Action 4/5/11: $792,163,310.
** HF 645 Senate Action 5/12/11: $846,974,336.
** HF 697 House Action 6/6/11: $776,403,310.
** SF 539 6/23/11: $812,774,336.

Community Colleges: House cut $4.3 million from general aid, provided $0 for worker training in Education Budget and eliminated $825,000 for faculty salaries. Senate Democrats increase general aid funding by $5 million over FY11 and provide $5 million for worker training programs and 500,000 new dollars for faculty salaries.

Regents: House Republicans cut Regents funding by $38 million. The Senate proposes cutting $15.8 million which is a 2.7 percent decrease over FY11.

Early Childhood:  House Republicans reduced their cut to ECI preschool from 60 percent to 28 percent (funds at $5.4 million). The Senate proposes the same funding as the House for ECI appropriation lines.

Core Curriculum: House Republicans cut $1.9 million program. The Senate met the House “in the middle,” funded Core Curriculum at $1 million.

Key Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Considerations: House Republicans cut all MOE lines by 6 percent and put significant federal dollars at risk. The Senate funds all MOE’s at the real FY11 level (including FY11 transfers, so numbers may appear larger than FY11 on spread sheets).
** Voc Ed Secondary – HARD MOE – Risk losing $12 million in federal funds.
** Special Ed Services – HARD MOE – No waiver is available, $3 million in federal money at risk.
** Food Service – Approp provides a 1:63 match with federal funds. House proposal to save $127,000 would lose $11.5 million in federal funds.
** Voc Rehab Basic Support – Federal match of 21 percent to 78 percent.
** Voc Education Administration – Federal match and compliance issues (48 percent to 53 percent federal match, compliance staffing issues).

Policy Issues: The new bill includes all policy language passed in original Senate version of HF 645. One additional bill – SF 518 (School Transparency/Oversight bill). Senate passed version with two amendments filed by the House; 1690 and 1691 by Hagenow. The House hasn’t taken up the policy language yet, so we’re trying to address some of their concerns by added amendments that make sense to our version.
** Home Rule (Senate does NOT accept this language).
** Dress Code (Senate does NOT accept this language).
** Instructional Days (Senate does NOT accept this language).
** Library Book Sales (Senate has all library re-org language in HF 645 and new bill).
** Waldorf College (Senate accepted this language in original HF 645 and in new bill). [6/22: 26-22 (party line; Hamerlinck, Bacon excused)]

SF 540 makes several changes to the original Administration & Regulation Budget for FY12 in response to the House Omnibus Budget bill. They include “Shall to may” language for Individual Development Accounts. The Senate adds language which moves Office of Drug Control Policy to DPS to save approximately $326,000. The Senate has minor changes to Medicaid fraud account language to reflect more details. The Senate keeps the unused balance from the IUB building and no reverts to general fund balance. The Senate keeps 2 FTE for Alcoholic Beverages Division for HF 617 (convenience store liquor sales). Senate eliminates $500,000 and 3.5 FTE for nuclear regulation if HF 561/SF 390 enacted. This budget is $123,000 UNDER the House Republican majority budget. [6/22: 26-23, party line (Hamerlinck excused)]

FLOOR & COMMITTEE ACTION:

SF 536 is the transportation budget bill for FY12 and FY13. The bill appropriates $346 million to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for FY12. This includes $47.6 million from the Road Use Tax Fund, $298.4 million from the Primary Road Fund, and 3,109 FTE positions. This is a net decrease of $4.8 million and no change in FTE positions when compared to FY11. The FY12 funding level is the same as Governor Branstad’s FY12 budget proposal. For FY13, the bill appropriates 50 percent of DOT operations and 100 percent for drivers’ license production and transportation capital items, based on the Governor’s FY13 recommendation. There are no changes in FTEs for FY13. [Floor 6/21: 26-20 (party-line; Feenstra, Hamerlinck, Kapucian, Ward excused); Committee: 6/20: 13-7 (party-line; Houser excused)]

SF 537 is the Judicial Branch appropriations bill. It appropriates a total of $156.4 million from the General Fund and 1,792.86 FTE positions for FY 2012. This is an increase of $6,100,000 compared to estimated FY 2011. It appropriates 50 percent of the FY12 appropriation for FY13. [Committee 6/21: 13-7 (Kettering, Bartz, Boettger, Dix, Johnson, Kapucian, Seymour voting “no;” Houser excused); Floor 6/21: 26-19 party line (Senators Feenstra, Hamerlinck, Houser, Kapucian, Ward excused)]

SF 538 is the standings and miscellaneous provisions bill, which makes adjustments to the standing appropriations that are in current law, makes salary adjustments for state employees, and makes a number of miscellaneous statutory changes as well as technical code editor corrections to bills that have already been approved by the General Assembly. The bill includes funding for the Voluntary Preschool Program at $58.4 million in FY 2012, and this funding would increase to $65.1 million in FY 2013. K-12 schools through the school aid formula would receive 0 percent allowable growth in FY 2012 and 3 percent in FY 2013. [Floor 6/22: 26-21(party line; Bacon, Bertrand, Hamerlinck excused); Committee: 6/20: 13-7 (party-line; Houser excused)]

SF 541 is the FY12 infrastructure and capitals budget bill. Highlights include:
** Grow Iowa Values Fund (GIVF) – $11.12 million. Allocations are specified as follows: Regents commercialization of research under Code Chapter 262B – $2.5 million; Community Colleges Workforce Development under Code Chapter 260C.18A – $4 million; Department of Economic Development (DED) Business Assistance: $4.62 million with $400,000 of this for administration. GIVF repealed on July 1, 2012. Requires DED to report to the General Assembly and Governor by November 30, 2011 on their new plan for an economic development incentive program.
** Passenger Rail – $6.5 million in FY13. Provides a contingent appropriation that if gaming revenues come in higher for FY11 than anticipated, the new funds go to passenger rail for FY12.
** $7.5 million over three fiscal years to the Department of Public Safety for a statewide public safety radio network and the purchase of compatible radio communications equipment with the goal of achieving compliance with the federal communications commission’s narrowbanding mandate deadline and for achieving interoperability.

** Community Colleges:  ACE $5 million; Infrastructure $1 million.
** $60.4 million for the ISU Ag/Biosystems Engineering Complex, $29 million for the SUI Dental Science Building, and $21 million for UNI Bartlett Hall and demolishing Baker Hall over four fiscal years.
** $5.3 million for the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant Program; $3 million for RECAT; and $1 million for Great Places.
** $5 million to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for State Park Infrastructure and $5 million for lakes restoration.

** Lake Delhi receives $350,000 for the engineering and hydrological study needed for preconstruction on the dam and $2.5 million in FY13 and $2.5 million in FY14 for dam restoration.
** $3 million to the Iowa Finance Authority for the Housing Trust Fund.
** Department of Corrections – Prison Construction: a total of $26.5 million over three fiscal years to Fort Madison and a total of $60.2 million for Mitchellville over three fiscal years.
** Department of Public Defense – $5.4 million; Department of Veterans Affairs – $1.25 million.

** $2 million to the DOT for the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program (freight rail).
** $10 million for the Technology Reinvestment Fund, including $580,000 to the Department of Management to develop a searchable online budget and tax database.
** $1.3 million for IPTV to purchase the current lease and allows IPTV to use up to $1 million of capital funds for operating expenses over two years, if needed.
** $285,000 for nursing home facility improvements.
** $2 million for floodplain management and $1.3 million for the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa.
** $2.5 million for recreational trails, with $500,000 going to Grays Lake trail and $112,000 to the Mississippi River trail. Water trails and low-head dams receive $75,000.

** $1.5 million for public transit infrastructure; $1.5 million for commercial air service vertical infrastructure grants; and $750,000 for general aviation vertical infrastructure grants.

** County Fairs – $1.06 million.
** Regional Sports Authority Districts – $500,000.
** Blank Park Zoo capitals – $500,000.
** $250,000 for cabin renovation to meet ADA compliance at Camp Sunnyside.
** $100,000 for support of the World Food Prize/Ruan Scholar Program.
** DAS – $3 million for major maintenance. [Floor: 6/22: 26-21 (party-line; Bacon, Bertrand, Hamerlinck excused); Committee: 6/20: 13-7 (party-line; Houser excused)]

Senate File 542 appropriates a total of $1,490.4 million from the General Fund for FY 2012. This is an increase of $587.5 million compared to estimated FY 2011 and a decrease of $21.4 million compared to HF 697 (Omnibus Appropriations Bill). Senate File 542 also appropriates $484.7 million from other funds. This is a decrease of $255.8 million compared to estimated FY 2011 and a decrease of $200,000 compared to HF 697. SF 542 provides 50 percent of the FY 2012 Senate action appropriations for FY 2013 with the exception of Medicaid, Mental Health Allowed Growth and Mental Health Community Services, which are funded at 100 percent of the FY 2012 level.

HHS Budget Differences:
** Mental Health Funding—we are $20 million lower than House. (Actually $15 million lower for mental health funding because House uses $5 million of the SF 209 FY11 ending balance, $20 million for HCBS waivers; Senate uses FY12 general funds).
** Medicaid Funding—we are $11.9 million lower than House.
** Funding source for DHS MMIS project—we use General Fund; they use Pooled Technology ($3.5 million).
** Tobacco Prevention—House at zero—we are now at $3.9 million ($1.1 million lower than original budget).
** Shelters—we are now at $400,000 (reduced $100,000); House at zero.
** Juvenile graduated sanctions—we are now at $500,000 (reduced $100,000); House at zero.
** DHS General Admin-we are $550,000 lower than House after latest reduction.
** DHS Field Operations—we are $550,000 lower than House after latest reduction.
** We do not provide a provider rate increase for PMIC’s; House provides $350,000.
** We fund nursing facility rebasing at 80 percent of House level $9.3 million (after giving up increased assessment).
** We fund increase to pharmacies at 80 percent of House level $2.4 million (after giving up new assessment).
** Funding source for HCBS waiver waiting list—we are $5 million ($1.1 million lower than original) from general fund; House uses $5 million from SF 209 fiscal year 2011 funds.
** Senate restores hawk-i outreach funds of $128,950.
** Safety Net Collaborative Funding—House is $166,000 lower than Senate.
** House does not increase funds for ADAP (Aids drugs) of $30,000.
** House does not increase funds for Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders of $107,052.
** House does not fund Vision Screening Pilot of $25,000.
** House uses an additional $500,000 from Vet’s carryforward.
** FY 2013—Senate funds Medicaid and Mental Health at FY 2012 levels and everything else at 50 percent.

Budget areas that were different but now in agreement:
** $450,000 to AAA’s for elder services.
** Restoration of $42,365 to children’s mental health (ABCDII).
** Increase of $100,000 for Brain Injury Services.
** Restoration of $23,774 for PKU.
** Restoration of $32,512 for Child Health Specialty Clinics.
** Senate and House do same general reductions of Glenwood: $200,000; Woodward $200,000; FIP $250,000; CFS $100,000); Senate does not cut Child Support Recovery.
** Senate and House both add a provider rate increase to Community Providers of $1.5 million.
** Having the Health Care Trust Fund $106 million outside the general fund (off budget—House idea).
** Injured Veteran’s Grant Fund–$1 million from FY11 ending balance.

HHS Remaining Policy Issues:
** Mental Health Redesign: we still want to add our Senate amendment. Our version of mental health is on the House calendar.
** Medicaid abortion language: we return to original 1978 language.
** Family planning language: we include the increase to 300 percent FPL.
** E-health policy language: we include House committee language; House has no policy language.
** Direct care worker language: we do not include the RFP process.
** Pregnancy prevention language: we return to original language; House says abstinence only.
** Cost containment: All payer claims database and provider payment system language is included in Senate; not in House.
** Child Welfare training academy carryforward language not allowed by House.
** Various other carryforward allowances not allowed by House.

Things we gave up on in latest Senate version:
** BPA.
** Study by DIA on regulation recommendations for Assisted Living, Hospice, etc.
** Social worker loan repayment revolving fund.
** Increase in nursing facility assessment.
** Initiation of Pharmacy provider assessment.

Areas of Agreement (are in the Omnibus AND the new Senate version):
** Child care at fitness centers.
** Dependent adult “Bob Queener” language.
** Hospital Indemnification language.
** Volunteer dental services language.
** Prescription Drug Reimbursement study (New idea in Omni; we are putting in Senate).
** False claims act fixes.
** Mental health drugs.
** HOPES intent language.
** New language for Juvenile detention study (We are taking Omni language).
** ACO pilot language.
** E-health state plan amendment for IME.
** Transfer language for IME.
** DHS Institution transfers.
** Instructs DHS to seek permission to use the Civil Monetary penalty fund for direct care worker initiatives.
** IowaCare changes.
** Toledo, Eldora transfer language.
** Homeland Security language.
** Pharmaceutical Take-Away program.
** Prevention of Disabilities Council sunset date (We are taking Omni date).
** Striking the hawk-I premium language.
** Veteran’s Lebanon language.
** Hearing aid language.
** IFA revolving fund language in HHS.
** Safety Net Collaborative administration funding language.
** Iowa Nebraska Primary Care name change. [Committee 6/20: 13-7 (party-line, Houser excused); Floor 6/22: 26-23 (party-line, Hamerlinck excused)]

SF 525 – Mental Health System Redesign

SF 535 – Water Resources Coordinating Council and water quality programs

FLOOR ACTION:

SF 525 sets a framework to redesign the Adult Disability Service System to make services more accessible to Iowans in all parts of the state at an affordable cost. The System includes persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. The bill specifies legislative intent to implement the following:
** Shift funding responsibility for the nonfederal share of Medicaid from the counties to the State.
** Reorganize the system to be administered by counties on a regional basis in a manner that provides multiple points of access in the region for both Medicaid and non‐Medicaid‐funded services (“regionally administered, locally delivered”).
** Replace legal settlement as the basis for determining financial responsibility for adult disability services with a determination based on residency.

The bill requests the Legislative Council authorize an interim committee on Mental Health and Disability Services for the 2011 legislative interim. The Committee is to provide consumer-focused recommendations for core disability services and that address property tax issues, examine funding commitments for the redesigned service system and examine requirements for mental health professionals engaged in the involuntary commitment process under Code Chapter 229. The Committee will also propose legislation to change Code references from the term “mental retardation” to “intellectual disability” and consider issues posed by the July 1, 2013, repeal of the county disability services administration and funding provisions. [5/26: 36-9 (Bacon, Behn, Chelgren, Dix, Feenstra, McKinley, Smith, Sorenson, Whitver “no” (Anderson, Bertrand, Hamerlinck, Houser, Johnson absent)]

COMMITTEE ACTION:

SF 535 establishes Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture as the chair of the Water Resources Coordinating Council. Currently, the Governor or his designee is the chair of the Council. The Council was established by legislation passed in 2008, and was meant to bring some coordination to the wide range of watershed programs offered by state, federal and local agencies. The Council has not worked as well as planned, and the goal of this change is to bring more focus to this effort by making it a responsibility of the Secretary, whose department has a soil conservation and watershed management mission along with its agricultural focus. [5/26: 18-0 (Hatch, Houser, Johnson, excused)]

HF 645 – Education FY12 Budget

HF 649 – Health & Human Services FY12 Budget

HF 651 – License Plates

FLOOR  ACTION:

HF 645 is the House version of the Education Budget (FY12&13). S-3287 is a strike-all amendment that is the Senate version of the Education Budget (FY12). The amendment appropriates $846,774,336 to the Departments of the Blind, College Student Aid Commission, Education and the Board of Regents and 12,280 FTE’s. The House generally did a 6 percent reduction except where noted below. The Senate appropriations were made off of FY11 levels with a general 3.13 ATB reduction to meet target unless otherwise noted. Supplemental appropriations were included in base unless appropriation came from transfers or one-time money. A section by section summary follows.

Section 1:  Department for the Blind: $1,808,156. There is a new appropriation of $50,000 provided for an audio newsline for the blind.

Section 2:  College Student Aid Commission Administration and Programs: $59,026,379.
** National Guard Benefits – $3,186,233 (FY11 level) with $552,600 carry-forward.
** Des Moines University Osteopathic and Physician Recruit programs combined into new line-item to better use appropriations and resources. (House language – keep).
** Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness – Senate keeps (House eliminated).
** ITG – for-profit – $4,650,487 same as FY11 (House reduced by 50 percent). This includes Waldorf in pot (House language – keep).
** ITG – not-for-profit – $43,013,448 same as FY11.

Section 3:  Chiropractic Loan Funds language – allows fund to continue to use repayment money to fund new loans since there has not been a new appropriation for this program in two years. Same language as last year.

Section 4:  Work Study Appropriation – Not withstands the Standing Code Appropriations and makes an appropriation of zero dollars. Same language as last year.

Section 5:  Department of Education Administration and Programs:  $244,699,637.
** Voc Ed Adm — $449,276 (FY11 level, MOE compliance issue).
** Voc-Rehab — $4,963,168 (FY11 level plus increase of $200,000 because of a new MOE issue and what feds are allowing us to “count” as match – DAS issue).
** State Library, Enrich Iowa, and Library Service Areas – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11.
** Vocational Education to Secondary Schools — $2,590,675 (FY11 level, Hard MOE).
** School Food Services and FTE’s — $2,176,797 (FY11 level, MOE, 1:63 match).
** Empowerment General Aid — $5,550,606 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. Adds LSA recommended language from House bill – audits.
** Empowerment Preschool — $7,346,595 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. Senate goes back to current Code – strikes all House language on Governor’s preschool program.  House also cut this line-item by 60 percent; Senate just does general 3.13 reductions.
** Family Support — $12,742,046 (general 3.13 ATB) (no language changes).
** Birth to Age Three — $1,721,400 (Same as FY11 – Hard MOE).
** Nonpublic Textbooks — $582,181 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. House held this harmless and funded at FY11 levels.
** Core Curriculum — $1,842,052 (3.13 percent general cut from FY11). House eliminated all of the appropriation.
** Student Achievement and Teacher Quality — $6,576,638 ($316 million is in funding formula). This line-item got a 3.53 percent reduction because the Department of Education had asked for less money.
** Community Colleges General Aid — $168,774,647 (increase of $10 million).
** Community College Salary — $825,012.
** Ed Jobs – $10 million (new – applies to all 260.18 worker training and new GAP and PACE programs).

Section 6:  BOEE scoop of $523,098 – which we transfer to fund IJAG program. This funds the IJAG program at FY11 level, minus the 3.13 percent reduction that most line-items receive. The House did not fund IJAG.

Section 7:  Department of Education Transfers from Teacher Quality/Student Achievement (House language – keep, good for FY11 MOE’s).
** Voc-Education Adm — $110,521.
** Voc-Education Secondary — $39,458.
** School Food Service — $55,739.

Section 8:  Board of Regents — $541,240,164 total for General Aid and Specialty Appropriations.
** The Regents received FY11 funding levels (NO 3.13 general ATB reduction on any line here) except for the Braille and Sight Saving School.
** Senate takes the House number for Braille and Sight Saving School, which is a 26 percent reduction for that line item. Senate used this savings to bring ITG’s up to FY11 funding levels.
** General Aid levels for all three universities are at FY11 levels. AP Online – New appropriation of $500,000.
** The House cut $40 million from Regents’ for their FY12 appropriation – $502,113,094.

Section 9: Energy Cost Savings Program Regents – boiler plate language since 1993.

Section 10: Prescription Drug Costs – boiler plate language since 1996.

Section 11: Allows local ECI Boards to use adm money to pay for audits required by law.

Section 12: New language for ECI from PEW Charitable Trusts. Prioritizes evidence-based models for home visitation programs. Doesn’t expand home visitation requirements, just says priority should be given to those programs that are evidence-based or promising models.

Section 13: Strikes 257.11(5) – old Regional Academies language, outdated – replaced with new SF 420 policy language in back of bill.

Section 14: Children of Peace officers deceased or severely injured get free tuition at community colleges.

Section 15: Combines the DMU osteopathic physician and loan programs into one program called Heath Care professional recruitment program.

Section 16: ITG – Keeps FY11 levels for not-for-profit and for-profit ITG’s and adds Waldorf College as a recipient of for-profit ITG funds.

Section 17: Adds SF 423 – allows home school students to take alternative testing to qualify for Senior Year Plus program.

Section 18: Adds SF 420 – new regional academy language.

Section 19-20: Children of Peace officers deceased or severely injured in line of duty get free tuition at Regents. Expands to county sheriffs. Clarifies must be severely and permanently disabled.

Section 21: Adds SF 437 – AP Online policy language.

Section 22: Technical AEA correction.

Section 23: Teacher Quality/Student Achievement allocation of $6,576,638.

Section 24-25: Adds SF 422 – PPEL joint purchasing policy language.

Section 26-27: HSAP program – adds House language about school age. Allows schools to count CPI students past age 16 (they had been, but old Code only allowed compulsory age of 16).

Section 28-31: HSAP program – expands allowed uses of HASP funding to include administrators, equipment and facilities. This is House language that we are keeping.

Section 32-33: Regent’s “peace officer” Code clean up.

Section 34: Repeals old DMU loan fund (made new loan fund in combined program).

Section 35-39: Effective dates – some immediate, some 2012, some retroactive.

Section 40-73: Senate Version of Library Reorganization Bill.

Section 74-92: Insert SF 328 – Ed Jobs bill but allows appropriation of $10 million to be used for all training programs under 260C.18A. Includes new PACE and GAP programs too. Department of Education has oversight and reporting for Ed Jobs policy.
** Removes $200,000 for new Instructional Leadership (should have been removed in committee). [5/12: 26-23 (party line; Seymour absent)].

HF 649 is the Health and Human Services appropriations bill. The Senate version includes the following:
** Overall reduction of $3 million to reach Senate target that was $3 million below the original House target and $50 million below the original Governor’s target. Senate target = $1,474,242,210.
** Funds Medicaid at the same level as the House.
** Strikes the fiscal year 2013 budget.
** Raises the existing nursing facility quality assurance fee to draw down more federal dollars to fund re-basing.
** Creates a pharmacy assessment fee to draw down more federal dollars and allow raising the pharmacy dispensing reimbursement rates.
** Restores $128,950 to hawk-I outreach programs to ensure all eligible children are enrolled in the health insurance program.
** Increases funding to the Home and Community Based Elderly Waiver by $1 million, which raises the monthly cap.
** Provides an additional $1.2 million to Psychiatric Medical Institutes for Children (PMICs) to meet a CMS regulation regarding pharmaceuticals.
** Restores $450,000 to the Area Agencies on Aging for services to seniors.
** Appropriates $6.1 million to reduce the waiting lists for all seven Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
** Restores $93,000 for Medicaid family planning services.
** Restores $750,000 for Medicaid children’s chiropractic services.
** Appropriates $3.5 million for Medicaid MMIS and Eligibility (computer upgrades). House funded out of Pooled Technology; Senate from the general fund.
** $150,000 for implementing a uniform cost report (saves providers time and effort).
** $50,000 to IME for audit technical assistance.
** $200,000 to IME for implementing a provider payment system (was part of SF 480).
** $20,000 to IME for planning related to an All Payer Claims database (SF 480).
** $100,000 for implementing an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) pilot project.
** $100,000 to IME for e-Health records (brings in federal money at 90/10 match rate).
** Restores $32,512 to Child Health Specialty Clinics.
** Restores $42,365 to ABCDII/First 5 (children’s mental health).
** Restores $5 million to tobacco prevention programs.
** Appropriates $25,000 for a vision screening pilot program.
** Restores $324,273 for direct care workers.
** Restores $68,332 to Safety Net providers family planning services.
** Restores $23,774 to PKU.
** Restores $107,052 to the Center for Congenital Disorders.
** Restores $97,990 to Safety Net Collaborative.
** $134,214 to Health Care Access (reform councils).
** Restores $39,000 to Health Aging at IDPH.
** Restores EMS funding of $50,000.
** $79,966 to Public Health (corrections).
** Increase of $100,000 for brain injury facilitators.
** Restores $500,000 to shelter beds.
** Increases child care subsidy by $2,027,847.
** Restores $2 million for child care quality initiatives.
** Restores $600,000 to juvenile graduated sanctions.
** Appropriates $300,000 for children’s system of care initiative.
** Reduces the increase to ICCCC by $163,987. There is still an increase over FY 11 of $200,000.
** Adds hospital indemnification language.
** Adds intent language related to home visitation services to be based on evidence.
** Allows child welfare provider training dollars to carry forward.
** Makes a technical correction to the dental loan repayment program.
** Restores language on Medicaid and IowaCare medically necessary abortions to language that had been in the bill since 1978.
** Adds language on duties of conservators (rewrite of SF 492).
** Moves the dental loan repayment program to a different section.
** Updates the IowaCare Nonparticipating Provider fund language.
** Allows waiver provider training funds to carry forward.
** Continues the work of the mental health/courts commitment workgroup.
** Allows DHS to transfer between Resource Centers and Toledo and Eldora.
** Adds the ban on BPA’s in baby bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups.
** Fixes the juvenile institution enrollment cap.
** Directs CJJP to convene the study on detention center funding instead of DHS.
** Makes corrections to the false claims act that was enacted in SF 2088 last year to comply with CMS
** Makes changes to the roll-out of the IowaCare regional provider plan; shifts more care to Broadlawns IowaCare.
** Adds the e-Health Language (originally SF 404).
** Moves disaster case management for Homeland Security from DHS.
** Adds language about child care at fitness centers.
** Safety Net Collaborative allocation distribution clarifying language.
** Restores Direct Care Worker funding to FY 11 levels (instead of Governor’s level).
** Revises language for the vision screening pilot project.
** Directs the Department of Public Health to review regulatory oversight of outpatient surgical centers, hospice programs, assisted living programs, and home health agencies and report back to the General Assembly by December 15, 2011.
** Restores the language regarding pregnancy prevention programs that had been in the Health & Human Services bill for many years. It has been changed by the House this year to focus only on abstinence-only programs.
** Decreases the additional funding provided to Orchard Place System of Care to $257,173.
** Provides an additional $30,000 to the ADAP program.
** Directs the CJJP Planning Advisory Council to conduct the study on juvenile detention funding.
** Directs DHS and IDPH to request permission from CMS to use a portion of the Civil Monetary Penalties Fund for a direct care worker initiative. [5/12: 26-22 (party-line; Houser, Seymour excused)]

HF651 creates a variety of new license plates, including a plate commemorating the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will design the plates in consultation with the Iowa Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Committee. Proceeds from the sale of the sesquicentennial plates will go to the Iowa Battle Flag Project. The bill also creates new license plates for veterans awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Medical Badge, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to the Veterans License Plate Fund. Additionally, the bill creates a license plate for fallen peace officers with proceeds benefitting organizations like COPS that help victims’ families rebuild their lives. License plates will go into production after the Department of Transportation receives 250 plate applications accompanied by a $20 fee. [5/12: 49-0 (Seymour absent)]

SF 533 – Standings FY12

HF 645 – Education FY12 Budget

HF 648 – Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) FY12 Budget

FLOOR & COMMITTEE ACTION:

SF 533 is the FY12 Standings budget. Highlights include:
** Standard language on MH/MR/DD allowable growth funding ($81.2 million).
** Standard Budget process for FY13.
** Performance of Duty – $30,712,105 – $8 million under Governor.
** Community Cultural Grants $416,702 – Governor’s level.
** Regional Tourism – $810,306 – Governor’s level.
** Center for Congenital & Inherited Disorders – $171,121 – Governor’s level.
** Child Abuse Prevention – $217,772  – Governor’s level.
** At-Risk Children – (Shared Vision’s) – $11,493,891 – FY11 level ($5,289,633 over Governor).
** Nonpublic School Transportation – $7,060,931 – Governor’s level.
** Tobacco Enforcement – $18,416 – Governor’s level.
** Instructional Support – $0 but keep language in Code.
** Property Tax Credits – $145,940,518 – Governor’s & FY11 level – General Fund.
** Standing Appropriation of $100,000 to Sac & Fox for education.
** AEAs – reduction of $10 million – total reduction is $17.5 million.
** Salaries – standard language on Governor setting salaries, no salary range increases, pay collective bargaining agreements, no bonuses (Except Regents). Salary adjustments are paid from special funds and federal funds also. Special funds may not exceed the operating budget established by the General Assembly.
** State Trooper Meal Allowance.
** Standard Salary Model Administrator Language.
** LSA Corrective Division.
** $100,000 – Vision Screening.
** Farmers with Disabilities – FY12 $97,000 pass through IDALS.
** Battleship Iowa – FY11 – $3 million.
** Hills & Dales Intermediate Care Facility– FY11 $100,000 to remodel /purchase group home. No reversion
** DIA – contingent – if SF 313 (Medical Assistance Program debt setoff recovery activities) passes – DIA is authorized 2 FTEs.
** Corrective language for Special Ed deletion in AEA 267 – so money can be redistributed.
** Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children.
** Railroad Company – Limited Liability – due to damages caused by a flood.
** HF 45 reductions on office supply purchases, equipment purchases, etc., do not apply to Supplementals.
** Elections related software – Any computer software developed by a county for purposes of election activities is the property of the county unless the county sells the rights to the software.
** SF 205 – DOT Omnibus bill – effective dates are upon enactment.
** Shared Visions/At-Risk Children – Flexibility language using funds for at risk 3, 4, or 5 year olds.
** HF 267 – SHPO – add municipal utilities to legislation.
** OWI Fine fix – increases by $25.
** Adds three members to the Watershed Planning Advisory Board. One each from the following organizations:  Agribusiness Association; IA Floodplain & Stormwater Management Association; Iowa Rivers Revival.
** DOT – SF 396 cleanup on indemnification sections.
** Extends the Attorney General’s Mortgage Hot Line through FY12.
** REORGANIZATION EFFORTS – Items in session law from SF 2088 in 2010: Contract Services  – Training – separate budgeting for contracts and training – reporting; State Government Purchasing Efforts – DAS; DAS – IT – Utilization by Judicial & Legislative Branches – urged to participate; State Agency Electronic Renewal Notices; State Agency Efficiency Efforts – Lean, Shared Resources; Budget Subs – review Agency Fees; DAS – streamlined hiring; Tobacco Retail Compliance Checks – 1 Check per outlet – if in violation 1 additional check; DAS – Centralized Payroll System.
** MTM – Extension of pilot project for state employees through FY12.  FY12 appropriation of $510,000. U of I school of Pharmacy to do evaluation. Deletes advisory council.  Repeals language in FY11 Standings bill regarding MTM.  Effective upon enactment.
** EITC language – Senate Version – FY11 – $100,000, FY12- $14.7 million.
** School Aid Allowable Growth at 2 percent — $2,716,500,000 – after AEA reduction. An additional $64.5 million.
** SF 454 – Misconduct by School Employees.
** Adds 2 members to ILEA Board – 1 employee of County Conservation Board who is a certified peace officer; 1 law enforcement officer representing the DNR.
** School Tuition Organizations (STOs) tax credit increased from $7.5 million to $10 million beginning in the 2012 tax year.
** Targeted Jobs Tax Credit – clarifies that it also applies to retained jobs. [5/3: 26-20 (party line; Behn, Houser, Kapucian, McKinley, absent)] [5/2: 13-7 (party line; Boettger absent)].

HF 648 is the FY12 Infrastructure bill. The Senate adopted a strike after amendment, which becomes the bill. Highlights include:
** $5 million for the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant Program; $3 million for RECAT.
** $5 million to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for State Park Infrastructure.
** $3 million to the IFA for the Housing Trust Fund
** $2 million to the DOT for the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program (freight rail).
** $10 million for the Technology Reinvestment Fund.
** Grow Iowa Values Fund (GIVF) – $10.6 million. Allocations for GIVF are specified as follows: Regents commercialization of research under Code Chapter 262B – $2.5 million; State Parks – $500,000; Cultural Trust Fund – $500,000; Community Colleges Workforce Development – $4 million; Regional Financial Assistance – $500,000 (with $175,000 to Small Business Development Centers); Innovation and Commercialization Development Fund – $2.1 million; Targeted Small Businesses – $557,500.
** Community Colleges – ACE – $5 million; Infrastructure $1 million.
** DOC – Prison Construction: $26.41 million over three fiscal years to Fort Madison and a total of $39.6 million for Mitchellville over three fiscal years.
** Great Places – $1 million.
** Regional Sports Authority Districts – $500,000.
** Blank Park Zoo capitals – $500,000.
** $250,000 for cabin renovation at Camp Sunnyside.
** $100,000 for support of the World Food Prize/Ruan Scholar Program.
** $1.3 million for IPTV to purchase the current lease and allows IPTV to use up to $1 million of capital funds for operating expenses over two years, if needed.
** $285,000 for nursing home facility improvements.
** $2 million for floodplain management.
** $5 million for lake restoration. Lake Delhi receives $350,000 for the engineering and hydrological study needed for preconstruction on the dam. Lake Delhi receives $2.5 million in FY 13 & $2.5 million in FY14 for dam restoration
** Senate provides $60.4 million for the ISU Ag/Biosystems Engineering Complex, $29 million for the SUI Dental Science Building, and $21 million for UNI Bartlett Hall over four fiscal years.
** $2.5 million for recreational trails and $1.5 million for public transit infrastructure.
** Passenger Rail – $6.5 million in FY13.
** DAS – major maintenance $3 million.
** Department of Public Defense – $5.4 million. [5/2: 26-23 (party line; Behn absent)]

COMMITTEE ACTION:

HF 645 is the House version of the Education Budget (FY12&13). S-3287 is a strike-all amendment that is the Senate version of the Education Budget (FY12). The amendment appropriates $846,774,336 to the Departments of the Blind, College Student Aid Commission, Education and the Board of Regents and 12,280 FTE’s. The House generally did a 6 percent reduction except where noted below. The Senate appropriations were made off of FY11 levels with a general 3.13 ATB reduction to meet target unless otherwise noted. Supplemental appropriations were included in base unless appropriation came from transfers or one-time money. A section by section summary follows.

Section 1:  Department for the Blind: $1,808,156. There is a new appropriation of $50,000 provided for an audio newsline for the blind.

Section 2:  College Student Aid Commission Administration and Programs: $59,026,379.
** National Guard Benefits – $3,186,233 (FY11 level) with $552,600 carry-forward.
** Des Moines University Osteopathic and Physician Recruit programs combined into new line-item to better use appropriations and resources. (House language – keep).
** Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness – Senate keeps (House eliminated).
** ITG – for-profit – $4,650,487 same as FY11 (House reduced by 50 percent). This includes Waldorf in pot (House language – keep).
** ITG – not-for-profit – $43,013,448 same as FY11.

Section 3:  Chiropractic Loan Funds language – allows fund to continue to use repayment money to fund new loans since there has not been a new appropriation for this program in two years. Same language as last year.

Section 4:  Work Study Appropriation – Not withstands the Standing Code Appropriations and makes an appropriation of zero dollars. Same language as last year.

Section 5:  Department of Education Administration and Programs:  $244,699,637.
** Voc Ed Adm — $449,276 (FY11 level, MOE compliance issue).
** Voc-Rehab — $4,963,168 (FY11 level plus increase of $200,000 because of a new MOE issue and what feds are allowing us to “count” as match – DAS issue).
** State Library, Enrich Iowa, and Library Service Areas – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11.
** Vocational Education to Secondary Schools — $2,590,675 (FY11 level, Hard MOE).
** School Food Services and FTE’s — $2,176,797 (FY11 level, MOE, 1:63 match).
** Empowerment General Aid — $5,550,606 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. Adds LSA recommended language from House bill – audits.
** Empowerment Preschool — $7,346,595 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. Senate goes back to current Code – strikes all House language on Governor’s preschool program.  House also cut this line-item by 60 percent; Senate just does general 3.13 reductions.
** Family Support — $12,742,046 (general 3.13 ATB) (no language changes).
** Birth to Age Three — $1,721,400 (Same as FY11 – Hard MOE).
** Nonpublic Textbooks — $582,181 – 3.13 percent general cut from FY11. House held this harmless and funded at FY11 levels.
** Core Curriculum — $1,842,052 (3.13 percent general cut from FY11). House eliminated all of the appropriation.
** Student Achievement and Teacher Quality — $6,576,638 ($316 million is in funding formula). This line-item got a 3.53 percent reduction because the Department of Education had asked for less money.
** Community Colleges General Aid — $168,774,647 (increase of $10 million).
** Community College Salary — $825,012.
** Ed Jobs – $10 million (new – applies to all 260.18 worker training and new GAP and PACE programs).

Section 6:  BOEE scoop of $523,098 – which we transfer to fund IJAG program. This funds the IJAG program at FY11 level, minus the 3.13 percent reduction that most line-items receive. The House did not fund IJAG.

Section 7:  Department of Education Transfers from Teacher Quality/Student Achievement (House language – keep, good for FY11 MOE’s).
** Voc-Education Adm — $110,521.
** Voc-Education Secondary — $39,458.
** School Food Service — $55,739.

Section 8:  Board of Regents — $541,240,164 total for General Aid and Specialty Appropriations.

The Regents received FY11 funding levels (NO 3.13 general ATB reduction on any line here) except for the Braille and Sight Saving School.
** Senate takes the House number for Braille and Sight Saving School – which is a 26 percent reduction for that line-item. Senate used this savings to bring ITG’s up to FY11 funding levels.
** General Aid levels for all three universities are at FY11 levels. AP Online – New appropriation of $500,000.
** The House cut $40 million from Regents’ for their FY12 appropriation – $502,113,094.

Section 9: Energy Cost Savings Program Regents – boiler plate language since 1993.

Section 10: Prescription Drug Costs – boiler plate language since 1996.

Section 11: Allows local ECI Boards to use adm money to pay for audits required by law.

Section 12: New language for ECI from PEW Charitable Trusts – prioritizes evidence based models for home visitation programs. Doesn’t expand home visitation requirements, just says priority should be given to those programs that are evidence-based or promising models.

Section 13: Strikes 257.11(5) – old Regional Academies language, outdated – replaced with new SF 420 policy language in back of bill.

Section 14: Children of Peace officers deceased or severely injured free tuition at community colleges.

Section 15: Combines the DMU osteopathic physician and loan programs into one program called Heath Care professional recruitment program.

Section 16: ITG – Keeps FY11 levels for not-for-profit and for-profit ITG’s and adds Waldorf College as a recipient of for-profit ITG funds.

Section 17: Adds SF 423 – allows home school students to take alternative testing to qualify for Senior Year Plus program.

Section 18: Adds SF 420 – new regional academy language.

Section 19-20: Children of Peace officers deceased or severely injured in line of duty free tuition at Regents.

Section 21: Adds SF 437 – AP Online policy language.

Section 22: Technical AEA correction.

Section 23: Teacher Quality/Student Achievement allocation of 6,576,638.

Section 24-25: Adds SF 422 – PPEL joint purchasing policy language.

Section 26-27: HSAP program – adds House language about school age. Allows schools to count CPI students past age 16 (they had been, but old Code only allowed compulsory age of 16).

Section 28-31: HSAP program – expands allowed uses of HASP funding to include administrators, equipment and facilities. This is House language that we are keeping.

Section 32-33: Regent’s “peace officer” Code clean up.

Section 34: Repeals old DMU loan fund (made new loan fund in combined program).

Section 35-39: Effective dates – some immediate, some 2012, some retroactive.

Section 40-73: Senate Version of Library Reorganization Bill.

Section 74-92: Insert SF 328 – Ed Jobs bill but allows appropriation of $10 million to be used for all training programs under 260C.18A. Includes new PACE and GAP programs too.

Senate Committee Amendment by Schoenjahn:
** Technical fixes
** Removes $200,000 for new Instructional Leadership (should have been removed in committee).
** Cleans up and expands language for children of peace officers who have been severely disabled or killed in line of duty to get free tuition at community colleges or Regents universities. Expands to county sheriffs. Clarifies must be severely and permanently disabled.
** Changes back to Department of Education for oversight and reporting for Ed Jobs policy. [4/20: 13-7 (party line; Houser absent)].