Week in Iowa, April 8, 2024: Recap of news from across the state

Supreme Court hears abortion arguments: Lawyers for Gov. Kim Reynolds argued before the Iowa Supreme Court on Thursday that a law banning abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy should be allowed to take effect, while opponents pushed for the law to be permanently blocked. The law, passed by Republicans in a special session last year, would ban abortion once cardiac activity is detected in a fetus. It has been temporarily blocked by a district court.

The arguments focused on which legal standard should be applied to the abortion ban. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, many state courts have applied the lower-level rational basis test to abortion laws, finding them constitutional. Abortion providers asked the court to apply the stricter "undue burden" standard, which would prohibit any law that places an undue burden on a woman seeking an abortion.

Traffic camera regulations pass: After years of disagreements over how much to regulate traffic enforcement cameras in Iowa, House lawmakers passed a bill this past week requiring cities to receive state approval before installing speed and red-light cameras. The bill must pass the Senate before being eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Illegal immigration a state crime: Iowa has joined Texas in making illegal immigration a state crime after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law criminalizing "illegal reentry." The bill would allow state law enforcement to arrest, and judges to order the removal of, immigrants who entered the country illegally after previously being denied entry or deported.

Reynolds announces summer food program: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a $900,000 competitive grant program to address child food insecurity last week after turning down $29 million in federal support for the summer EBT program. The program will direct federal pandemic relief funds to create additional summer meal sites in underserved areas in the state.

Critics said the program comes short of meeting the need and is well below the millions in funding available from the federal government. They said the program will not address barriers to families seeking food assistance programs, like a lack of transportation to meal sites.

Pipeline eminent domain rules advance: Iowa Senate lawmakers advanced a bill regulating eminent domain proceedings for carbon capture pipelines out of a subcommittee last week, marking the first time a pipeline regulation has advanced in the chamber. Opponents have argued that eminent domain should not be used for the private projects.

They said ...

“Today, the unborn had their day at the Iowa Supreme Court. As a pro-life governor, I will do everything I can to protect the innocent unborn and promote strong, healthy families.” -- Gov. Kim Reynolds on abortion law arguments

“Iowans value their freedom, and that includes the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and their health care with their doctors. A majority of Iowans oppose attacks on their health care choices." -- Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, on abortion law arguments

Odds and ends

Judicial nominating rules: A proposal to give the Iowa governor more power over district judge appointments is moving forward in the Iowa Senate, but a key House Republican called the policy a "nonstarter." The proposal would remove the most senior judge in a district from the judicial nominating commission and allow the governor to appoint an additional member.

Iowa retires No. 22: The University of Iowa will retire the No. 22 jersey in honor of Caitlin Clark, Athletics Director Beth Goetz announced. The honor marks the end of Clark's college career before she enters the WNBA draft after smashing several college basketball records. Clark led the Hawkeyes earlier this month to the NCAA championship game, where they lost to South Carolina.

Water cooler

Dubuque homicide: Three people are dead in an apparent domestic abuse situation in Iowa and Wisconsin, authorities said. Alexander Grunke of Middleton, Wis., was identified as a shooter and killed himself after an armed standoff with law enforcement. A 13-year-old girl and a 32-year-old Dubuque County woman also were killed in the incident.

Arming school staff: The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would create a permitting process for trained staff in Iowa schools to carry firearms. Republicans said the measure would increase school safety and allow quick response to active shooters, while Democrats argued it would make students less safe.