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What did Iowa lawmakers do (or not) in their 2020 session?
Gazette Des Moines Bureau
Jun. 14, 2020 6:16 pm
Here is a look at how some issues fared during the Iowa Legislature's 2020 session:
Everything the Iowa Legislature DID do in the 2020 session
' Ban police chokeholds/address police officer misconduct (HF2647)
' Create 24-hour abortion waiting period for women (HF594)
' Craft a $7.78 billion fiscal 2021 state budget (HF2643)
' Require felons to pay victim restitution before voting rights are restored (SF2348)
' Give businesses/medical providers immunity protection from COVID-19 lawsuits (SF2338)
' Raise tobacco/vaping possession age to 21 (SF2268)
' Give schools more power to manage disruptive students (SF2360)
' Expand provisions of Iowa's medical cannabis program (HF2589)
' Increase state aid 2.3 percent to 327 K-12 school districts (SF2164)
' Provide more school transportation/equity funding (SF2164)
' Expand criminal penalties for animal mistreatment (HF737)
' Establish a 2-cent per gallon gas tax exemption for E15 fuel (SF2403)
' Expand incentives for broadband in rural areas (SF2400)
' Exempt COVID-19 federal stimulus checks/grants from state taxation (HF2641)
' Set local parameters for weapons/gun range regulations and security (HF2502)
' Create criminal offense of food operation trespass (SF2413)
' Made changes to state election laws limiting commissioner's emergency powers (HF2486)
' Exempt feminine hygiene products from state sales tax (HF2641)
' Expand Future Ready Iowa workforce incentives (HF2384)
' Allow manufacture/sale of consumable CBD products from hemp (HF2581)
' Raise upper age limit for 8-year driver's license from 72 to 78 (HF2360)
' Allow immunity to minors seeking help for alcohol-related emergencies (HF684)
' Recognize out-of-state professional licenses for several occupations (HF2627)
' Expand the definition of barbering to include mobile cosmetology (SF155)
' Direct a study of the value of solar as an energy option (SF583)
' Exempt some farm buildings from county zoning ordinances (HF2512)
' Allow breweries to manufacture canned cocktails (SF2134)
' Designate U.S. 20 in Iowa as 'Medal of Honor Memorial Highway” (SF388 )
' Allow debt offset on sports-wagering winnings (HF2623)
' Enhance penalty for eluding law enforcement vehicle (SF2275)
' Modify provisions for final disposition/disinterment of human remains (SF2135)
' Boost flood recovery assistance to $21 million (SF2144)
' Set parameters for asbestos exposure lawsuits (SF2337)
' Update/streamline criminal surcharges/court fees (SF457)
' Exempt farmers from chauffeur license requirement to transport goods (HF2372)
' Expand indecent exposure criminal offense (SF2097)
' Allow coyote hunters to use infrared lights mounted to method of take (SF537}
' Disqualify commercial driver's license for trafficking conviction (HF2235)
' Create Department of Public Safety blue alert in cases of violence against law officers (SF526)
' Allow College Savings Iowa funds to be used for out-of-state education (HF2340)
' Create voluntary human sex trafficking prevention training program for hotel/motel owners (HF2259)
' Allow hunters to use dogs to track wounded deer (HF657)
' Bar release of child sex abuse victim ID except by court authority (HF2445)
' Create crime for continuous sexual abuse of a child (HF2554)
' Allow certain residential buildings to install commercial elevators (SF2195)
Everything the Iowa legislature DIDN'T do in the 2020 session
' Seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons (HJR14)
' Approve governor's IWILL tax relief/mental health plan (SSB3116/HSB657)
' Seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment on abortion (SJR2001/HJR2004)
' Ban hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF2248/HF2375)
' Increase speed limits on Iowa roadways (HF2166)
' Change statute of limitations for child sexual abuse (SSB3032)
' Allow financial compensation for college athletes (SF2330/HF2282)
' Make daylight saving time permanent (SF2077/HF2059)
' Allow end-of-life options for patients with terminal conditions (SF2156/HF2302)
' Close loopholes to protect mobile home occupants/tenants (HF2351/SF2238)
' Remove gender identity from civil rights protections (HF2164)
' Increase state minimum hourly wage to $10.25 on July 1 (HF2076)
' Provide 'religious freedom” protections for businesses (SF508)
' Raise state tobacco tax by $1 to $2.36 per pack (HF2167)
' Modify Iowa's bottle bill law (SSB3109/HSB507)
' Require able-bodied welfare/Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer (SF2366)
' Create offense/fine for highway 'left lane camping” vehicles (SF389)
' Direct Iowa Department of Transportation to install/maintain adult changing stations at highway rest areas (HF2097)
' Designate honeybee as official state insect (SSB3187)
' Create $2,500 fine for illegally hunting black bears out of season (HF2341)
' Create a 'right to be forgotten act” to remove internet content (SF2236)
' Clarify no 'escape clause” for mandatory life prison term (SF2093)
' Install rumble strips at rural highway intersections (SF2180/HF2004)
' Bar businesses from requiring employee microchip implants (HSB580)
' Create $60 fine for texting violation near school (HF2153)
' Create crime for defrauding a workplace drug/alcohol test (SF2273/HSB539)
' Require helmets for minors operating motorcycles/motorized bikes (HF2233)
' Eliminate criminal penalties for possessing marijuana (HF2208)
' Establish moratorium on constructing large-scale animal feeding facilities (HF2127/SF2254)
' Include vaping in Iowa's smoke-free air act (SSB3052/HSB627)
' Establish Central Standard Time as permanent time in Iowa (SF2020)
' Approve July 4 sales tax exemption for guns/ammunition (HSB648)
' Bar seclusion rooms in public/private schools (HF2386)
' Require front and rear lights on bicycles (SF2090)
' Limit flags at public buildings to U.S., state, local, POW/MIA (SSB3017)
' Eliminate diversity plans affecting open enrollment in five school districts (SF199)
' Exempt show choir students from high-school PE requirement (SF2041)
' Require Declaration of Independence preamble display in schools (SF2101)
' Bar optional school health screenings unless parents consent (SF2153)
' Mandate 75 percent of UI medical/dental school students be Iowans (HF2383)
Provide court-awarded attorney fees for successful local 'ban-the-box” challenge (HF2309)
' Limit county supervisors' salaries to county median income (HF2035)
' Require state license to offer medication abortions (HSB678)
' Conduct study for revitalizing Iowa's highway rest areas (HSB687)
' Review public assistance recipients' eligibility (SF2272)
' Raise fine to $2,500 for illegally selling, taking or possessing an eagle (HF326)
' Allow permit-holders to carry guns on school grounds (SF2224/HF2162)
' Require pregnant women to view ultrasound image/wait 72 hours for an abortion (SF2215)
' Allow students to appeal grades based on alleged political bias (SF2057)
' Prohibit cities from annexing fertile farm land (HF2286)
' Bar conversion therapy regarding sexual orientation/gender identity (HSB698/SF2257)
' Create 'extreme risk” firearms protective order (HF2367)
' Establish policies to limit students' smartphone use at school (HF2347)
' Expand legislative oversight of Iowa Supreme Court decisions (SSB3181)
' Require pole-vaulting competition at high-school track meets (HF2100)
' Require seat belt/harness for all rear-seat passengers (HF2003/SF2012)
' Establish education savings grants for pupils in low-performing districts (SF2206)
' Repeal bottle deposit law in July 2023 (HF2205)
' Allow life prison term with parole for people charged as murder accessories (SF2231)
' Authorize electronic monitoring in nursing facilities (SF2229)
' Allow permit-holders to carry guns on college campuses (SF2161)
' Bar doctors from performing sex-change procedures with criminal penalties (SF2213)
' Require applicants to disclose sexual orientation on marriage certificates (SF2130)
' Bar smoking in car with passenger under age 14 (SF2028/HF2093)
' Require large rental building owners to disclose utility costs to apartment-seekers (HSB635)
' Preserve health insurance protection for preexisting conditions (HF2327/SF2064)
' Require high-school athletes to compete based upon sex designation at birth (HF2202)
' Allow college student ID cards for voter registration (SF2126)
' Exempt medical cannabis products from state sales tax (SF2124)
' Create crime for sexual activity with 16-, 17-year-olds without adult consent (HF2248)
' Bar school-administered vaccination without parental consent (SF2174)
' Increase redemption center container fee to 2 cents (HF2206)
' Establish 'Protect freedom of conscience from government discrimination” act (SF2194/HF2273
' Create study panel to evaluate inclusion of transgender in civil rights protections (HF2274)
' Require schools to notify parents of lessons on sexual orientation/gender identity (HF2201)
' Expand oversight of privately managed Medicaid program (SF2177)
' Change window tint standards/procedures for motor vehicles (SF2149)
' Expand cities' authority to declare a public safety nuisance (SSB3127)
' Ensure regional/geographic balance on the DOT Commission (HF2251/SF2002)
' Expand insurance requirements for transportation network drivers (SF2167)
' Offer competitive grants for anti-bullying/harassment training (SF2207)
' Require local governments/schools to publish Nov. 1 salary report (SF2072)
' Create a life imprisonment review committee (HF2433)
' Establish state licensure of clinical art therapists (SF2021)
' Modify family planning services program requirements (SF2033/HF2172)
' Bar state/local governments from accepting virtual currency payments (SF2079)
' Require free menstrual products in school/state building bathrooms (SF2039)
' Enhance assault protections for sports officials/referees (SF2023/HF2043)
' Require regent university outdoor stadium safety reports (HSB585)
' Add African-American history to education standards (HF2385)
' Enact campaign finance reform (HF2371)
' Increase REAP funding to $25 million a year indefinitely (HF2342)
' Set 10-cent retail fee for plastic bags and ban restaurant plastic straws (HF2332)
' Require volunteer service as a condition of high-school graduation (HF2329)
' Expand operation of all-terrain vehicles on secondary roads (SF2158)
' Expand Iowa Utilities Board to five members serving five-year terms (HF2247)
' Establish education scholarships for private school students (HF2261)
' Bar after-school activities/events on political precinct caucus dates (HF2227)
' Establish paid sick/medical/family leave for employees (HF2223)
' Bar teachers from political advocacy in classroom (HF2184)
' Give neighbors 48-hour notice before spreading livestock manure on nearby field (HF2178)
' Bar smoking on state-licensed casino gambling floors (HF2143)
' Eliminate 40-acre per farm limit on hemp production (HF2105)
' Establish multistate compact to phase out corporate welfare (HF2095)
' Strike 2017 union recertification vote requirement (HF2075)
' Regulate wild mushroom sales at retail food services (HF2420)
' Direct Iowa DOT passenger rail study from Dubuque to Black Hawk County (HF2400)
' Replace Iowa State Patrol cruisers at 130,000 miles (HF2399)
' Require landlord/tenant inventory checklists (SF2291)
' Require regent universities to hire a public policy events director (HF2185)
' Change law on confidential law enforcement reports (HSB623)
' Create DPS cold-case investigative unit (HF2430)
' Enact Healthy Moms/Babies Act to address maternal health care issues (SF2062)
' Require suicide hotline number on school-issued student IDs (SF2081)
' Raise the financial cap allowed for in-home bakeries (HSB645)
' Establish periodic review/possible 'sunset” of state boards (SSB3142)
' Allow more frequent veterans card game tournaments (SF2266)
' Modify sex offender registry requirements (HF2068)
' Implements process for collection/tracking of sexual abuse evidence collection kits (HSB694)
' Allow 5-year-olds to participate in voluntary preschool for a two-year period (HF2048)
' Amend constitution to clarify lieutenant governor line of succession (SJR2003)
' Create transparency in prescription drug pricing (HF2551)
' Allow county attorneys/assistants to carry weapons (SF2095)
' Restrict local authority to regulate rental housing (HSB690/SSB3178)
' Require blaze orange apparel on public land/ by tree stand in hunting season (HSB654/SF2270))
' Change provisions for maximum jobless benefits duration (HF2462/SF2333)
' Create special farm driver's license for minors aged 14-18 (SF2094)
' Allow EMTs to carry guns in tactical emergency situations (SF2096/HF2036)
' Provide immunity to money advisers who report financial exploitation of adults (HSB574)
' Authorize law officers to carry guns on school grounds (SF2184}
' Grant liability immunity for veterinarians aiding authorities in a civil/criminal case (HF2374)
' Provide public bodies alternatives to traditional low-bid process on projects (HSB586/SSB3115)
' Increase the number of out-of-state deer hunting licenses (HF2014/SSB3129)
' Expand program for rural doctors' loan repayments (HF2460)
A look toward the rotunda from a stairway at the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (The Gazette)