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.
An analysis by Investigative Midwest found that a substantial share of Iowa’s rivers and lakes labeled as impaired have remained in poor condition for at least a decade, highlighting persistent pollution risks for swimmers, boaters, and others who regularly use these waters.
Also in the Capitol Notebook: House passes bill requiring age verification for porn sites
Also in the Capitol Notebook: Black Caucus urges public to speak out over anti-DEI measures
Iowa’s four most populous counties – Polk, Linn, Scott and Johnson – would no longer receive state economic development funding under a bill advanced by House lawmakers Wednesday.
Children should be allowed to testify in Iowa courts remotely, rather than being forced to face their alleged abusers — on that, Iowa lawmakers agree. But lawmakers disagree on how exactly to ensure that protection, which was erased by a recent Iowa Supreme Court decision.
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