Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature

On the podcast this week, we preview the legislative session and talk about Rita Hart being re-elected as Iowa Democrats’ state leader.

At least 4 dozen bills have been “pre-filed” ahead of the 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature, which convenes Monday

Fully funding 4-year-old preschool, policies that help schools recruit and retain staff and better mental health services all are priorities.

The previous senator for District 35, Chris Cournoyer, resigned in December to become lieutenant governor. Two years remain of Cournoyer’s four-year term.

The proposed legislation follows the Iowa Secretary of State’s effort during the 2024 election to identify potential noncitizens attempting to vote.

And how do you track bills throughout the legislative session?

Republican leadership in both the Iowa House and Senate said Iowans should expect to see further action to limit property tax collections by cities, counties, school districts and others during the upcoming legislative session.

The start of a new year also means the start of new laws in Iowa, including a new and lower state income tax rate, new restrictions for those convicted of drunken driving and a new data privacy law.

Providers in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Mason City, Oskaloosa and Sioux City will receive a total of over $10 million to expand or improve facilities and develop sober-living housing options.

Cedar Rapids school board meets with lawmakers to discuss preschool, cell phone bans and other priorities in advance of the upcoming session of the Iowa Legislature.

The Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference projects slightly better state revenue numbers than it did in October, but revenue still is expected to fall short of current state spending levels.

Also in the Capitol Notebook: A campaign is launched for hands-free driving law.

A task force is charged with making any recommendations for further changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies after a new state law went into effect this year.

Also, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed district associate judges in Western Iowa

Iowa anti-hunger advocates called on state leaders to participate in a summer federal food benefits program and raise income-eligibility requirements to fight hunger in Iowa.