Maya Marchel Hoff, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

Friday is the 110th calendar day of the 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature. It is the last day that state lawmakers will receive their stipend for daily housing and meal expenses. While their work is nearing completion, here are some of the important tasks that remain.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ tele-town hall Tuesday evening came nearly a week after she committed to hosting an in-person town hall in her southeast Iowa district. She has not held an in-person town hall meeting this year, and protests across Iowa’s 1st Congressional District have called on her to do so.

Both dip into reserves to cover expected revenue decline from state income tax cuts.

If it becomes law, House File 1032 would award matching funds up to $100,000 to grocery stores in rural areas for projects including utility upgrades, equipment, furnishings, professional services and technology.

The bill’s sponsor said events that could qualify for grant funding would be “larger scope, things like PGA, NFL, NBA or NCAA” and “Taylor Swift concerts at Kinnick” to make Iowa competitive with other states trying to attract high-profile events.

Nearly a year after Iowa saw historic flooding and fatal tornadoes, legislation proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would help fund and streamline the assistance process for rebuilding after natural disasters is going to her desk for approval.

Legislation adding new requirements to Iowa's open records laws was amended in the Iowa Senate on Thursday to bar the public from accessing Iowa Capitol security camera footage.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate expressed concern Friday about the Trump administration’s pause on federal election cybersecurity programs during an appearance on “Iowa Press.”

While the bills have bipartisan support, House Democrats -- who are in the minority -- say they have been introducing legislation aimed at lowering costs for Iowans since the beginning of the session, and are calling for more relief.

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.

A minor’s ability to legally consent on their own to receiving the HPV vaccine would be removed under legislation passed by the Iowa Senate Monday. Critics argue the bill will contribute to Iowa’s high rates of cancer.

The bill, named “Mason’s Law,” would create a pediatric palliative care license to establish residential care facilities for those under 21 with chronic and life-threatening illnesses who are expected to have shortened life expectancies.

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.

The physician shortage is not exclusive to Iowa, as the projected physician shortfall could reach as high as 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. But compared with other states, Iowa’s shortage is one of the most dire.

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.