Articles Tagged: Iowa House

The winner of the April 29 special election will represent southeast Cedar Rapids in the state Legislature.

Republicans have yet to produce a formal challenger, although Linn County GOP will soon host its own nominating convention.

General state funding to Iowa’s public K-12 schools will increase 2 percent next school year under an agreement reached by Statehouse Republicans that’s head to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature. House Democrats say it’s insufficient to help public school districts cover costs, and will lead to property tax increases.

Along with fly, ice and sport fishing, Iowans would be able to legally catch catfish with their bare hands under a bill being considered by state lawmakers.

The district, previously represented by Democrat Sami Scheetz, covers much of southeast Cedar Rapids.

While legislation allowing all Iowa nursing home residents to have cameras in their rooms has failed to advance this session, the technology is being successfully used in one Iowa care facility.

Also, in the Capitol Notebook, lawmakers advance a bill allowing psilocybin prescriptions in Iowa if FDA approves the substance.

Also, the Iowa House halted a bill that would have changed the makeup of boards that nominate Iowa judges.

State legislator Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, was chosen Tuesday to replace outgoing supervisor Ben Rogers.

Iowa House Democrats highlighted their plans to end state taxes on tips and overtime pay as the session’s second legislative deadline approaches at the State Capitol this week.

Iowa local governments and business groups say they generally support getting rid of the state’s complicated property tax rollback system, but continue to explore the fiscal toll they would face from statehouse Republican’s proposed “reboot” and overhaul the state’s property tax system.

Also, House lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would make it a crime to send unsolicited sexually-explicit photos or videos. One legislator dubbed it the “anti cyber flashing” bill.

The appropriation would be contingent on the U.S. Department of Agriculture approving a waiver for exemptions that would strike certain food products from SNAP eligibility, which food accessibility advocates argue would limit access to food.

Drivers in Iowa will be prohibited from operating cell phones and other devices with their hands once Reynolds signs it into law as expected

Schools in Iowa would be required to install new or modify existing door systems to prevent an active shooter from blocking exit doors, along with a video surveillance system that is accessible to law enforcement during an emergency under legislation advanced by lawmakers Tuesday.