Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature

On the day by which University of Iowa officials said they were told to close the campus’ renamed and reformed Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity — previously its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division — the university on Thursday debuted a new website for its Office of Civil Rights Compliance.

Also in the notebook, Iowa House legislators again approved a series of bills related to carbon capture pipelines and landowner rights, and called on the Senate to do the same

Many of the roughly 181,000 Iowans in the state’s version of Medicaid expansion would be subject to work requirements, and the entire program could be eliminated if the federal government ever disallows work requirements, under legislation approved this week by Republican state lawmakers.

Dozens of stakeholders representing Iowa businesses, pork producers, builders and local taxing entities — from cites, counties and schools to hospitals and regional transit services — said they remain “undecided” on the 52-page proposal as they continue to study and analyze potential impacts from the myriad changes proposed.

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

Agriculture chemical companies would be protected from lawsuits over warning labeling on their products to inform consumers of health risks under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate Wednesday. This bill is now headed to the House, which did not take up a similar bill that was passed by the Senate last year.

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.

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms,” could be administered to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder under a bill advanced out of an Iowa House subcommittee Tuesday.

Republican state lawmakers approved two bills that would also address voter registration and citizenship, major party status, and ranked-choice voting.

Also, Senate Republicans approved legislation adding work requirements for Medicaid recipients

However, due to federal restrictions, 18- to 20-year-olds would still be prohibited from buying a handgun from a federally licensed firearm dealer in Iowa, but would be allowed to purchase pistols and revolvers through a private sale.

Also, new Iowa House Rep. Blaine Watkins — elected to replace Rep. Martin Graber — is sworn in

Iowa House lawmakers unanimously passed legislation Monday strengthening the state’s open meetings laws, which a Scott County lawmaker behind the bill says stems from issues in the Quad-Cities.

Both chambers have now signed off on the governor’s proposal, which she unveiled during her annual Condition of the State address in January.

Outdoor recreation is Iowa’s top source of tourism and accounts for $8 billion annually in economic output, according to a recent study.