Legislative roundup: No money for roads, drone bill to Gov. Branstad

Here's how some of the key issues identified at the start of the session have fared this year.

Fuel tax

'Where it was at the start:

Raising money for the state's infrastructure was expected to be one of the most hotly-debated topics of the year. A fuel tax bill introduced last year was never brought to the floor, but its sponsor promised to try again in 2014. Over the summer, the Iowa Department of Transportation drew up a list alternatives to a fuel tax increase in an effort to raise money for the roads.

'Where it is now:

None of the DOT's alternatives made it into legislation. A 10-cents-per-gallon hike died in the House as did a hybrid tax swap that lowered the per-gallon tax but added a 5 percent wholesale tax.

Bullying

'Where it was at the start:

After the failure of his 2013 anti-bullying bill, Branstad convened his second statewide anti-bullying summit this past fall and introduced legislation early this session.

'Where it stands now:

A key provision that would have allowed school officials to enforce anti-bully statute for incidents occurring off school grounds was struck in the House, but the bill otherwise remains intact. The practical effect schools now must notify parents when bullying occurs. The Senate didn't agree with the strikeout and the bill died.

Attracting/keeping military veterans

'Where it was at the start:

Branstad called for a Home Base Iowa initiative as part of his Jan. 11 Condition of the State address to follow previous legislative action completing 10 soldier-friendly recommendations from the U.S. Department of Defense

'Where it is now:

The House and Senate sent to Branstad for his expected signature a wide-ranging bill that, among other provisions, exempts military pensions (including surviving spouses) from state income tax and directs Iowa's occupational licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.

Medical marijuana

'Where it was at the start:

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, admits that a bill he introduced this session to allow medical marijuana was a 'laugh line,” and the issue quickly was dismissed as dead for the 2014 legislative session. However, a tenacious group of parents with children suffering from severe epilepsy turned the tide unexpectedly by convincing lawmakers to allow them access to a cannabis oil derived from marijuana that has aided in treating their pain.

'Where it is now:

A bill legalizing the possession and medical use of cannabidiol for epilepsy patients passed the Senate and House during the early morning hours of May 1.

Regulating drones

'Where it was at the start:

Lawmakers entered the 2014 session wanting to create parameters for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise known as drones, that generally are remote-controlled flying machines outfitted with cameras and other surveillance equipment that have become strikingly cheaper and more prevalent in recent years.

'Where it is now:

The bill sent to Bransatd says evidence obtained by law enforcement using a drone is not admissible in a criminal or civil trial unless it was obtained legally pursuant to a search warrant or in a manner that is consistent with state and federal law. A study group was directed to develop model guidelines for law enforcement's use of drones and report its findings to the Legislature by Dec. 31.

Texting while driving

'Where it was at the start:

Iowa law bans all cellphone use for teenagers while driving under restricted or intermediate licenses, including instructional or school permits. The 2010 law also bars all vehicle operators from writing, sending or receiving text messages while driving. However, a texting violation is considered a secondary offense, which means law officers can't pull over a driver suspected of texting without having broken another driving violation. Law officers say that distractions are becoming a growing problem for Iowa drivers and that the state's texting law is not strong enough.

'Where it is now:

A broader effort to discourage drivers from using hand-held electronic communication devices while operating their vehicles was passed by the Iowa Senate but died in the House due to ineligibility rules.

Whether to ban traffic cameras along roadways and streets

'Where it was at the start:

How to address automated traffic enforcement devices to monitor speed and red-light compliance has been a contentious issue in the Legislature for several years. Although Branstad said he would be willing to consider such a ban, the issue repeatedly has stalled in the process en route to his desk.

'Where it is now:

Legislative efforts failed again this year. The DOT, however, adopted regulations for traffic enforcement cameras used to monitor red-light and speeding violations along state highways passing through Iowa cities or counties.

Tuition Freeze

'Where it was at the start:

Everyone - the Iowa Board of Regents, Senate Democrats, House Republicans and Branstad - entered the 2014 legislative session pledging to freeze tuition for in-state undergraduates at Iowa's three state universities for a second straight year.

'Where it is now:

The Senate and House passed a $986 million education budget bill that includes the requested 4 percent increase for the three regent universities and an extra $2.625 million for the University of Northern Iowa in fiscal 2015.

Telemed abortions

'Where it was at the start:

Last year the Iowa Board of Medicine voted 8-2 to ban the practice of doctors prescribing abortion-inducing drugs from remote locations using a two-way video link. The board position to require doctors to be physically present with a patient when they prescribe abortion-causing medication was challenged in court by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is the subject of a temporary stay order under until the court case is resolved.

'Where it is now:

The Republican-led House voted 55-42 to approve a bill that would ban the so-called webcam abortions, but the issue was sidelined due to a procedural requirement. A group of Republican senators called on majority-party Democrats to resurrect the ineligible House-passed bill banning telemedicine abortions, but Democrats who control the Senate by a 26-24 edge declined to do so as the matter is before the court.

Balanced fiscal 2015 state budget

'Where it was at the start:

On the second day of the 2014 session, Branstad proposed a $7 billion budget plan that called for a $508.7 million increase in general fund over current levels. The overall increase was 7.8 percent, but the number shrinks to 5.7 percent when the money to 'backfill” local governments for potentially lost revenue due to property tax reductions was taken into account. Other highlights included $170 million to fund a 4 percent increase in kindergarten-through-grade-12 state foundation aid, $108.3 million for Medicaid/human services, $54 million to implement education reform, and $26.1 million for regent universities to help funds tuition freeze for instate undergraduates for a second straight year.

'Where it is now:

The split-control Legislature took the rare step of agreeing to joint budget targets of $6.972 billion for fiscal 2015 at the start of the budgeting process and stuck to that number throughout the negotiating process. Before adjourning, lawmakers agreed to a debt reduction/one-time spending measure that totaled $139.8 million. The effect was to lower the current year ending balance, or surplus, from a projected $882 million to $742 million by June 30. Under the state's spending limitation law, legislators could spend up to 99 percent of available revenue, but the $6.972 billion target represented under 91 percent of that potential amount.

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