This Week in the Iowa Legislature
The 11th week of the session was packed with debate on high-profile issues ahead of next week’s second funnel deadline. Floor discussions were particularly intense in the House, with long subcommittee sessions and extended evening debates.
On Monday, Rep. Blaine Watkins (HD 100) was sworn in, becoming the youngest current Iowa legislator at just 23. That same afternoon, 40 lawmakers held a press conference urging stricter eminent domain regulations for carbon pipelines, emphasizing landowner rights and pushing for Senate action. Rep. Charley Thomson urged Summit Carbon Solutions to withdraw its approved pipeline permit application. The House passed two major pipeline-related bills, including an amended HF 639 consolidating earlier proposals.
Property taxes also took center stage, with both chambers holding packed subcommittee hearings on proposals capping local government revenue and shifting school tax levies to the state (HSB 313 and SSB 1208). Local officials and stakeholders from every sector raised concerns about revenue caps and the state’s financial capacity to backfill school funding considering the state’s gloomy budget outlook. Ways and Means Chairs Sen. Dawson and Rep. Kaufmann signaled openness to amendments.
Other bills debated covered topics like pesticide tort liability, Medicaid work requirements, SNAP benefits, school concussion protocols, school chaplains, window tinting regulations, and defense subpoenas. With the funnel deadline approaching, key legislative decisions loom.
Medicaid Work Requirements Advances
The Iowa Legislature passed SF 615, a bill that would require able-bodied adults enrolled in the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan—the state’s Medicaid expansion program—to work at least 80 hours per month to maintain health coverage. The Iowa Senate passed the bill along party lines with a 33-15 vote, while the House approved an amended version in a more divided 61-35 vote, sending it back to the Senate for concurrence.
Supporters, including Sen. Mike Klimesh, argue the measure will instill “a sense of pride, accomplishment, and a deeper connection to society.” However, opponents warn it could result in significant coverage losses for vulnerable Iowans. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency analysis, approximately 32,000 Iowans could lose coverage beginning in 2026 if the bill is enacted, mirroring Arkansas’ experience with similar policies in 2018. Notably, Arkansas saw no significant increase in workforce participation after implementing its work requirements.
The bill includes exemptions for individuals under 19 or over 65, those deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration, caretakers of young children, and participants in substance use treatment programs. Governor Kim Reynolds has voiced her support for Medicaid work requirements and signaled that the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will soon submit a waiver request to the federal government.
Bills Sent to the Governor
- Hands-Free Driving (SF 22) The time has finally come! Nearly a decade in the making, the hands-free driving bill is headed to Governor Reynolds’ desk after the House passed the bill 84-11 on Wednesday afternoon. The Governor publicly endorsed the bill during her Condition of the State address in January and the Senate passed the bill 47-1 last week. The bill prohibits any handheld electronic device use while operating a motor vehicle unless the device is in hands-free or voice-activated mode. The AS team is proud to have led the lobby coalition on this bill. Congrats Nick on your leadership in passing this significant public safety legislation!
- Student Cellphone Use in Schools (HF 782), the Governor’s bill requiring school districts to enact policies limiting cell phone use in schools, passed the Senate unanimously this week. Sen. Trone Garriott offered an amendment that would have added private schools to the bill, but it was defeated, even with bipartisan support from Sen. McClintock.
- Sports Conference Realignment (HF 783) prohibits public and private schools from paying fees to High School sports associations unless the sports association their teams belong to has a conference realignment committee.
Notable Bills Debated This Week
- Election Recount Alterations (HF 928) makes changes to the timing for a recount request to the 2nd Wednesday after an election. The bill was passed 66-31 in the House and is now on its way to the Senate for consideration.
- Election Administration & RCV Ban (HF 954) proposes drastic changes to Iowa’s election rules, banning ranked choice voting, streamlining voter registration, limiting challenges to federal candidates, etc. The bill passed 65-31 in the House and is now on its way to Senate.
- City/County DEI ban (SF 507) would prohibit cities and counties from having DEI offices or engaging in DEI practices, except as authorized under state or federal law. The bill passed 34-15 in the Senate and is on its way to the House.
- Lower Firearm Age (HF 924) would lower the minimum age requirement to carry a firearm permit from 21 to 18. Rep. Holt introduced an amendment stipulating anyone under the age of 21 will not be allowed to purchase a pistol or revolver. The bill passed 79-18 and is now on its way to the Senate.
- Expunging Trafficking Victims Criminal Records (HF 926) would allow victims of human trafficking to petition the court for an expungement of their criminal record, thus making the expunged record confidential. The bill was passed 97-0 in the House and now heads to the Senate.
- Pesticide Liability Protections (SF 394), a highly contentious bill being pushed by Bayer, would provide a liability defense for the use of approved pesticides, deeming that a label is sufficient enough warning if it meets the necessary criteria. The bill was the closest vote in the Iowa Senate so far this session with 6 Republicans joining Democrats in opposing the bill in a 26-21 vote. This bill has been dubbed by opponents as the “Cancer Gag Act,” and its future in the House is uncertain.
- SNAP/Double-Up Food Bucks (HF 970) would appropriate $1 million to the Double-Up Food Bucks program, but also limit what food can be bought using SNAP to only being foods that meet the nutrition standards. This bill faced strong opposition with several Republicans joining Democrats in voting against the proposal which ultimately passed 56-40. Its fate in the Senate is unclear.
Looking Ahead
The Legislature is entering a critical phase as we approach the second funnel deadline on Friday, April 4. This milestone marks the point at which most policy bills must clear a full committee in the opposite chamber to remain eligible for consideration this session. As a result, we will see a shift in legislative focus, with committee work taking precedence over floor debate next week. As we move into the final weeks of the session, we will keep you informed on the progress of critical legislation and the potential impacts on Iowa’s policy landscape. To stay up to date on scheduled committees and subcommittees and their virtual access information, follow this link.
We also anticipate budget targets could be forthcoming from each chamber in the next week or two which will kickstart the budget process at the statehouse.