February 21 was the “first funnel” at the Iowa Capitol. That means policy bills (that don’t concern taxes or the budget) must have been passed by a committee to be considered during the remainder of the session.
Our focus is on legislation that solves real problems and helps Iowans, while doing no harm. Here are some good bipartisan bills that made it through the first funnel.
- Expanding hands free driving law to save lives (HF 2375/SF 2248)
- Adult changing stations at rest areas (HF 2097)
- Lifetime commercial driver’s license ban for individuals convicted of human trafficking (HF 2235/SF 2089)
- Holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable (HSB 685)
- Ending “cliff” effect for child care assistance program (HF 2424)
- Capping insulin costs for Iowans at $100 per month (HF 2138)
- Expanding access to tele-health care in rural areas (HF 2192)
- Allowing more seniors to stay in their homes (HF 2269/SF 2345)
- Increasing Child Care Assistance rates (HF 2270)
- Expanding primary health care practice areas to more rural areas (HF 2197)
- Creating new child care workforce matching grants (HF 2171)
- Protecting the confidential information of veterans (HF 2382)
- Removing fees for veterans trying to claim benefits (HF 2236)
- Transportation equity funding (SF 2164)
- Adding help line for drugs/alcohol/suicide on student ID cards (SF 2081)
- Raising minimum age for tobacco and vaping (SF 2268)
- Treating adoptive parents the same as birth parents for employment leave benefits (SF 2165/HF 2417)
- Protecting workers by prohibiting unnecessary noncompete agreements (SF 2332)
- Protecting pensions of law enforcement (HSB 551)
- Making emergency medical services essential in rural areas (HF 2434)
- Disaster recovery assistance for homeowners (HF 2406/SF 2314)
- Protecting veterinarians who report animal abuse (HF 2374)
- Extending renewable energy tax credits (HF 2279/SF 628)
- Providing tourism opportunities by extending hotel/motel tax (HF 2281/SF 2085)
- Expanding firefighter/EMT/reserve police officer volunteer tax credit (HF 2280)
- Protecting freedom of speech with Anti-SLAPP lawsuits (HF 2339)
- Ensuring more diverse juries (HF 662/SF 375)
- Improving literacy development for kids who are deaf and hearing impaired (HSB 680)
- Expanding Medicaid coverage for breast pumps (SF 2319/HF 2215)
- Helping more foster kids transition to adulthood (SF 2311/HF 2220)
- Preventing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (HF 2458)
- Raising the fine for killing a Bald Eagle to $2,500 (HF 326)
- Modernizing Iowa’s bottle bill (HSB 507)
- Restoring felon voting rights & improving security of elections (HSB 545)
- Expanding rights for student athletes (SF2058/SF2330)
- Helping children of divorce deal with higher education expenses (SF2059/SF2183)
- Helping children suffering from a serious pediatric health condition the care they need (SF2084/SF2301)