2010 State Legislative Bill Tracking

Posted: January 28, 2010

Our registered lobbyist, Rebecca Neades, monitors statewide business issues and advocates for business-friendly policy with statewide legislators. Below is a list of bills currently under consideration in the Iowa Legislature. To find out more about these bills, visit the Iowa General Assembly website at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Cool-ICE/DisplayBills.htm or call Rebecca Neades at 337-9637.

HOUSE BILLS
HF 619, Urban Renewal and Tax Increment Financing, Proposes to eliminate economic development as an authorized use for TIF. Tax increment financing is the best tool cities have to spur development and build its future tax base.

HF 2006, Tax Credit Sunset, Repeals all tax credits and exclusions every four years. In House Ways & Means, Subcommittee not assigned

HF 2030, School Funds, School districts unexpended fund balance shall not exceed amount determined by school budget review committee to be necessary for operations. Excess to be used in lieu of levying additional property taxes. (Similar to SF 2047), Passed House 85-8 on 1/15/10, Passed Senate 32-16 on 1/19/10, Signed by Governor on 1/20/10.

HF 2072, Expanded Uses of School Levy, School districts can use physical plant and equipment levy to purchase computer software for classroom use, purchase fuel for transporting students and repair of any equipment purchased with funds from that levy., In House Education, Subcommittee: Steckman (D-Mason City), May (R-Spirit Lake), Willems (D-Lisbon).

HF 2073, Ownership of Urban Renewal Property, Only officers or employees of a municipality or board or commission of municipality which have been vested by a municipality with urban renewal powers are prohibited from acquiring an interest in the project or property in the project. (Same as HF 2073), In House Local Government, Subcommittee: not assigned.

HF 2076, Innovation Council, Establishes an Iowa Innovation Council within the Department of Economic Development to advise re policies to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in targeted industries and promote economic growth. (Successor to HSB 505; same as SSB 3064), On House Calendar, Thomas (D-Elkader), floor manager.

HF 2090, 28E Condemnations, 28E joint board action relating to condemnation of private property can only be taken by the vote of those board members who are elected officials of a public agency where the property to be condemned is located. Requires majority vote of those members. Other members who are not eligible to vote not counted in determining quorum. Requirement only applies if members eligible to vote are less than 3. In House Local Government, Subcommittee: not assigned.

HF 2096, Iowa Institute for Public Policy, Creates Iowa institute for public policy to provide policymakers with timely information, research and recommendations to assist policymakers in making informed judgments about important long-term issues and to improve the effectiveness of government in Iowa. To strengthen links between state government and Iowa's academic, educational and research communities., In House State Government, Subcommittee: Isenhart (D-Dubuque), Koester (R-Ankeny), Lensing (D-Iowa City),

HSB 504, DED Omnibus, Miscellaneous changes to Department of Economic Development programs. (Same as SSB 3062), In House Economic Growth, Subcommittee: Thomas (D-Elkader), Marek (D-Riverside), Forristall (R-Macedonia),

HSB 546, Tax Revenue for Urban Renewal, City by ordinance can use local sale and service tax revenue for urban renewal instead of only receipts from retail establishments in urban renewal area. Election required if petition filed. In House Local Government, Subcommittee: Gaskill (D-Ottumwa), Isenhart (D-Dubuque), Sorenson (R-Indianola),

HSB 565, Government Reorganization, a 250-page state government reorganization bill that is in the House State Government committee. (Same as SSB 3030)

HSB 573, Flood Plain Management, Flood plain management. Prohibits reconstruction of structures or infrastructure damaged by a flood in floodway (excludes utilities) and other limits on reconstruction and new construction in flood plains. (Same as SSB 3098), in House Rebuild Iowa, Subcommittee not assigned.

HSB 590, Mental Health Mandate, Requires health insurance policies to cover mental health conditions. In House Commerce, Subcommittee: Peterson (D-Des Moines), D. Olson (D-Boone), Struyk (R-Council Bluffs), Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley), Zirkelbach (D-Monticello).

SENATE BILLS
SF 2007, Tax Assessment Appeal Deadline, Allows an additional 15 days to appeal assessment of real estate for property tax. In Senate Local Government, Subcommittee: Quirmbach (D-Ames), Kreiman (D-Bloomfield), Reynolds (R-Osceola).

SF 2023, Ownership of Urban Renewal Property, Only officers or employees of a municipality or board or commission of municipality which have been vested by a municipality with urban renewal powers are prohibited from acquiring an interest in the project or property in the project. (Same as HF 2073), In Senate Local Government, Subcommittee: Quirmbach (D-Ames), Rielly (D-Oskaloosa), Hamerlinck (R-Dixon).

SF 2033, Race to the Top, Race to the top education bill. Establishes innovation zone schools. Controversial provisions re involvement of teachers’ union in fixing low-achieving schools. Passed Senate 32-17 on 1/13/10, Passed House 56-37 on 1/15/10, Signed by Governor on 1/19/10.

SF 2044, Wage Thresholds for Financial Assistance, Business must meet the 130 percent wage component to qualify for financial assistance under the value-added component of the grow Iowa values fund., In Senate Economic Growth, Subcommittee not assigned.

SSB 3030, Government Reorganization, 250-page state government reorganization bill. (Same as SSB 3030), Amended and approved by Senate State Government – will get new bill number, Appel (D-Indianola), floor manager.

SSB 3062, DED Omnibus, Miscellaneous changes to Department of Economic Development programs. (Same as HSB 504), In Senate Economic Growth, Subcommittee: Stewart (D-Preston), Rielly (D-Oskaloosa), Houser (R-Carson).

SSB 3064, Innovation Council, Establishes an Iowa Innovation Council within the Department of Economic Development to advise re policies to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in targeted industries and promote economic growth. (Same as HSB 505), In Senate Economic Growth, Subcommittee: Heckroth (D-Waverly), Dandekar (D-Marion), Wieck (R-Sioux City).

SSB 3065, Fund of Funds Tax Credits, Reduces maximum aggregate tax credits that can be issued by Iowa Fund of Funds to $40 million from $100 million., In Senate Economic Growth, Subcommittee: Stewart (D-Preston), Houser (R-Carson), Rielly (D-Oskaloosa).

SSB 3098, Flood Plain Management, Flood plain management. Prohibits reconstruction of structures or infrastructure damaged by a flood in floodway (excludes utilities) and other limits on reconstruction and new construction in flood plains. (Same as HSB 573), In Senate Rebuild Iowa, Subcommittee: Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids), Jochum (D-Dubuque), Houser (R-Carson).