This Week in the Iowa Legislature
A relatively uneventful and calm week at the Capitol followed the conclusion of the second funnel, as lawmakers began shifting into the final phase of the legislative session. Activity remained steady throughout the week, with a mix of floor debate and limited committee work. As the session progresses, focus is expected to increasingly center on the must do issues and budget conversations that will define the final weeks leading to adjournment.
Following last week’s election filing deadline, the State Objection Panel met this week to review challenges to several candidates’ filings for Iowa’s primary ballot, resulting in both removals and confirmations. The panel unanimously removed Xavier Carrigan (U.S. House District 3), Jared Gadson (House District 75), and Eric Pearson (Senate District 21) after finding they did not submit enough valid signatures.
At the same time, challenges against Sen. Mike Bousselot (Senate District 23) and Eddie Andrews (Governor) were dismissed, allowing both candidates to remain on the ballot. The decisions clarify the final list of candidates eligible to appear in June’s primary elections.
Healthcare Tax Increase Sent to the Governor
The Iowa Senate approved legislation this week to increase the state’s tax on health insurers, sending the measure to the Governor’s desk after passing on a narrow 26–19 vote. The bill would temporarily raise the HMO tax from 0.925% to 3.5%, applied retroactively, as part of the state’s effort to draw down additional federal Medicaid funding and address the projected budget shortfall.
Major Issues Surviving the Second Funnel: property tax reform, energy and eminent domain legislation, charter school expansion, school choice, school curriculum, healthcare and Medicaid reforms, citizenship verification for public assistance and K-12 employees, Governor’s executive authority, prohibiting local identification cards, repeal affirmative action, three-strike habitual offenders, and veterans’ services.
Major Issues Not Surviving the Second Funnel: changes to K-12 vaccine requirements, codifying the privatization of Medicaid, prohibiting private schools from having a DEI office, banning school and public library partnerships, allowing community colleges to offer 4-yr degree programs, allowing cigar bars, limiting WIC public assistance, and some other health-related measures.
Looking Ahead
Legislative activity concluded earlier than usual this week, wrapping up Wednesday ahead of the Pioneer Lawmakers Ceremony. As the Legislature moves further into the final phase of session, attention will increasingly shift toward budget and tax discussions, with budget targets from each chamber expected any day now. Lawmakers are also expected to spend more time in Ways and Means and Appropriations committees as work begins to take shape around final spending priorities and revenue decisions.
A deal on property taxes, eminent domain, and the budget continues to elude legislative leaders. Until there is a breakthrough, the session could be slow moving for a couple of weeks.
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