From the Desk of Senator Giddens
As we enter the final stage of the 2023 legislative session, we have been making progress on budget bills, and it is likely that we will adjourn the session next week.
As the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, which deals with financial services industry regulations, I am proud to announce the passage of a lesser known but still significant bill, House File 675, out of the Senate this week. This bill modernizes the Iowa Money Services Act, which regulates various financial services institutions.
The Money Services Act was originally established to regulate wire services like Western Union. More modern online payment platforms like PayPal and Venmo have been thriving due to technological advancements but have been operating in a relatively unregulated space. To ensure consumer safety and market access, it’s important to update our regulations. HF 675 achieves this by establishing uniform definitions and exemptions for licensing money service businesses among states, streamlining the licensing process, and enabling joint multistate supervision. These changes make it easier to regulate and license money service businesses responsibly. They also allow more people to use a variety of services with better access and options.
Many people may not be aware of the work that government agencies like the Iowa Banking Division do on issues like this, so I want to publicly acknowledge them and express my gratitude for their efforts. Iowa is proud to be one of the 13 states taking such proactive measures this year.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to keep you informed about developments here in the Senate. Your engagement and input are vital in shaping policies that benefit all Iowans.
As always, take care and have a great weekend.
110 Days Down…
Today is the 110th Day of the 2023 legislative session – the day each spring we aim to finish our work and adjourn for the year.
But, alas, we aren’t done yet.
The Senate inched closer to “sine die” adjournment this week, as the Senate majority finally added numbers to their blank-check budgets and began wrapping up work on high-priority policy bills. But more work remains to be done – particularly on increasing access to affordable childcare and negotiating property tax relief for Iowans.
We remain hopeful that we can expand access to childcare and provide real property-tax relief to middle-class Iowans – and soon.
After the 110th day of the session, our routines change just a little bit under the golden dome. The student pages who staff the Senate each year and our own clerks will not return next week.
So, when do you think we’ll get done? Click here to vote on your best guess for sine die adjournment. Personally, I think it’ll be next Wednesday, May 3, but your guess is as good as mine.
Quick Updates
- More safe havens. The Senate expanded Iowa’s Safe Haven Act last week to include adoption service providers. This ensures that parents who themselves were traumatized in the adoption or foster care system are able safely surrender at a nonprofit they feel most comfortable with.
- Needed: Healthcare workers. Iowa faces a critical workforce shortage in healthcare. Careers in the health sciences are expected to continue to grow, due to an aging population and related health care needs. In addition to doctors and nurses, Iowa will need additional workers in diagnostic testing, biotech research, and health informatics – all high-paying careers using advanced technology. To learn more about available jobs and career pathways, check out the state of Iowa’s Health Science Careers Snapshot.
- Improving access to care. Earlier this month, President Biden announced a historic set of executive orders to improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare and long-term care across the country. As working families continue to face rising costs and fewer options for quality care, this will provide relief and help address the growing childcare crisis in our state.
- Easier probate operations. The Senate passed a bill this week helping Iowans sign and witness wills using videoconferencing, and retroactively validating wills signed under pandemic disaster proclamations. These common-sense fixes could help families avoid years of probate litigation, saving money and providing peace of mind. Speaking of estate-planning, we also passed HF111, granting a tax exemption for trust estate plans that already exists for will estate plans.
- Stay safe paddling. Tempted to get out on the water? The DNR recommends that paddlers wait for warmer weather to allow the water temperatures to rise slowly. Stay away from strainers and sweepers — wood or branch piles — which can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater. These are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest. Some tips:
- Check your canoe or kayak for any needed repairs/maintenance. Look for holes and leaks, and check your paddle blades for signs wear.
- Wear your lifejacket at all times. Make sure all buckles and zippers work and free of holes.
- Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. A wet suit or dry suit is encouraged. Dress in layers to adjust to temperatures.
- Always bring along a dry bag with a set of extra clothes if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio. Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Let others know where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Boating safety. The Iowa DNR always offers boating education courses in person and online. Courses are made to fit every schedule and lifestyle. Click here for boater education information.
- Learn to Bow Hunt. The DNR is offering a six-month workshop teaching key archery hunting skills for beginners. Skills taught include hunting with a bow, and field dressing and cooking white-tailed deer. The workshop includes archery practices in the summer and lessons in fall, with hunting opportunities throughout the archery season. All sessions are led by experienced instructors. The course will be hosted in Adel, Ames, Council Bluffs, Davenport and Iowa City. Applications open April 15 for all locations – apply here.
- Walleye Challenge. The DNR is partnering again with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas to conduct a statewide walleye fishing challenge May 1 through June 30. Participating anglers are encouraged to report all the walleye they catch in May and June through the MyCatch mobile app. DNR fisheries biologists will use the catch data to assess and manage walleye populations across Iowa. Anglers will have the chance to win numerous local and statewide prizes. Register here.
- LCAN Grants Available. Iowa College Aid is accepting new grant applications to develop Local College Access Networks (LCANs) across Iowa. LCANs help communities across the state address workforce needs and increase educational attainment through the LCAN grant series. Applications will be accepted through Iowagrants.gov from April 15 – May 15, 2023. Find more information here.
- Workers’ Memorial Day Around Iowa. More than 50 years ago today, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job – a fundamental right that I will always fight to protect. Still, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions suffer injuries because of dangerous working conditions. Together on this Workers’ Memorial Day, we raise our collective voices to win stronger safety and health protections in our workplaces. Join us today at 5:30 p.m. at the Labor Temple: 1695 Burton Ave, Waterloo.
- Local Apprenticeship Award. Western Home Services in Cedar Falls recently received a grant of $1,341,617 from the Iowa Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship program to create a new CNA and LPN registered apprenticeship program in partnership with local high schools. The program will allow those completing a CNA certification to continue with their apprenticeship program and move into the LPN pathway while working with the senior living facilities. Grant funding is from the American Rescue Plan Act.
