CAPITOL NOTEBOOK: Iowa lawmakers advance bill naming stretch of Highway 30 for soldier killed in Syria

DES MOINES — A 5-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 30 running through Marshalltown is set to be named the “Staff Sergeant William ­Nathaniel Howard Highway” to commemorate one of the two Iowa National Guard soldiers who were killed in action last year in Syria.

House File 2478, advanced unanimously out of the Iowa House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday, comes months after Edgar Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and William Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were killed in action Dec. 13.

Their deaths came during a counterterrorism mission near Palmyra, Syria, when a lone gunman believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State group opened fire on U.S. and its partner forces.

"If I could bring him (Howard) back, I would, but it’s the smallest thing I can do to remember him by,” said Rep. David Blom, R-Marshalltown, the bill's sponsor. “He gave his life while engaging our allies in Syria and keeping our country free.”

Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst introduced legislation earlier this month to name the community-based outpatient clinic in Marshalltown the “Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic.”

Changes to state rules advances

Under a bill advancing in the Iowa Senate, changes to state rules — the details that guide the implementation and enforcement of state laws, which currently are written by government agencies and approved by a panel of state lawmakers — would require approval from the full Iowa Legislature if the new rule would require more than $200,000 in state spending or would have “significant adverse effects” on business and industry.

Supporters of the proposed legislation said during a pair of legislative hearings Wednesday that it would ensure the state rulemaking process is more accountable to the people by giving state lawmakers a bigger role in the process for so-called “major” rule changes.

The legislation also would require information akin to a cost-benefit analysis for proposed rules changes, including any estimated costs or cost savings, and costs expected to be incurred by entities subject to the rule.

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“We need to make sure that the rules process has more people involved,” Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, who proposed the legislation, said during a subcommittee hearing that he led. “I believe the larger Legislature, when it’s a major rule, should have way more effect on it because I think the voters and the citizens believe that we do. And I believe this bill is getting closer to getting us that.”

The bill, Senate File 2314, was approved Tuesday by both the subcommittee and the full Iowa Senate State Government Committee, both times with only Republican support. The moves keep the legislation eligible for further consideration this session after this week’s funnel deadline.

It is now eligible for debate by the full Iowa Senate.

America 250 celebration moves forward

Iowa state legislators moved forward Wednesday with their celebration plans for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The proposed activities dovetail with the national celebration and Gov. Kim Reynolds’ task force created to plan for the anniversary.

House Study Bill 742, advanced unanimously by an Iowa House subcommittee, include creating a sales tax holiday on the July 4th weekend, requiring every public K-12 school in Iowa to provide instruction and activities related to the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, and requiring the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to allow for the placement of a monument honoring the anniversary on the Capitol complex grounds.

The bill also would require Reynolds’ task force to provide for the decoration of the Iowa Capitol from Nov. 16, 2026, through Jan. 9, 2027; create a program for children to submit ornaments to decorate the Iowa Capitol Christmas tree; and organize various events, including a touring display honoring U.S. presidents.

The bill also requires the Iowa Public Broadcasting board to broadcast educational programming featuring the­ state-sponsored events commemorating the anniversary of the ­signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Iowa state Reps. Devon Wood, R-New Market, Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, and Ray Sorensen, R-Greenfield, all signed on to advance the bill.

“It's important to take every opportunity like this,” Wood said. “I know my little town, when we had our sesquicentennial and then other major events, it's been a great driver for our teeny, tiny little people town during our Fourth of July celebrations. I expect Iowa and potentially visitors will probably feel that boon for folks wanting to participate in celebrations.”