'Joe Six-Pack' wins some, loses some with 2010 legislative session, lawmakers say

DES MOINES – Whether “Joe Six-Pack” lives in Iowa's cities or on the farm, he'll be affected by a number of new regulations and freedoms passed by the Iowa Legislature this year.

On the freedom side, Joe Six-Pack could have an easier time getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon and will be able to buy high-alcohol content beer produced in Iowa.

On the restrictions side, Iowans will be prohibited from texting while driving, could face higher fines for driving violations and could see new regulations for amateur mixed martial arts matches. Property owners would even be prohibited from mowing roadside ditches for part of the year in some instances to help protect nesting pheasants if Gov. Chet Culver signs those restrictions into law.

Steffen Schmidt, professor of political science at Iowa State University, said there is an interest in what male voters who are feeling alienated are going to do in this year's election and which issues they are concerned about.

“These are issues that normally would have not been very high priority at a time when budgets and the economy and other things are … very urgent,” Schmidt said of issues taken up by the Legislature this year. “And it's amazing that with the Democrats controlling both houses that they decided ‘we better respond to the grassroots uprising that's going on out there.'”

Lawmakers passed a bill requiring county sheriffs to issue weapons permits as long as someone met other requirements.

The legislation came out of complaints that some county sheriffs were denying permits. The bill is awaiting consideration by Culver.

Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said actions by lawmakers would mean county sheriffs cannot arbitrarily prevent someone from being able to carry a weapon.

“It shouldn't matter where you live,” Kaufmann said.

Joe Six-Packs with more exclusive tastes in beer will have the advantage of being able to buy high-alcohol content beers that are made in Iowa.

Iowa brewers have been able to produce higher-alcohol content beers, but only for shipment out of state. That put them at a competitive disadvantage with out-of-state brewers that could produce those beers and sell them in Iowa. The new regulations will put them on more equal footing.

Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, describes a growing demand for boutique and craft beers, including India pale ales, which are typically made with higher a alcohol content.

“In other states, they've built entire industries out of this,” McKinley said.

But it's not all good news for Joe Six-Pack, or everyday Iowans for that matter.

Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, warns drivers they could soon be facing substantially increased fines for some traffic violations.

“I think it's getting on the borderline of extortion,” Feenstra said.

Feenstra thinks banning cell phones and texting for those under 18 while they are driving is a good thing, however.

“I think to create some safety in Iowa, this makes sense,” Feenstra said.

A pastime for some Joe Six-Packs, amateur mixed martial arts matches, could see greater regulation by the state.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, a Waterloo Democrat who describes himself as a “Joe Six-Pack guy,” witnessed some of the problems with the amateur matches.

“Somebody was drunk. They got up … got in the ring and got the bejesus kicked out of ‘em,” Dotzler said.

Dotzler said the legislation passed this year will require individuals to provide a safe environment such as having medical personnel there and that referees are sanctioned.

“If you're gonna make money off of somebody, you ought to at least provide them with health insurance when they get their arms and legs broken and knocked unconscious and end up in a hospital,” Dotzler said.

Even Joe Six-Pack and his lawnmower could face restrictions on mowing roadside ditches before July 15 in an effort to protect nesting pheasant populations.

Several exemptions are included in the bill, which is awaiting action from Culver.

“Ironically, the state exempted itself from that and yet created another nanny-state prohibition,” said Sen. Merlin Bartz, R-Grafton.