State Government

Farmers use herbicides like Roundup to kill weeds, preventing them from destroying crops. But in recent years, Bayer, which now manufactures Roundup, has faced lawsuits claiming that the pesticide, particularly its main ingredient, glyphosate, causes personal injuries, including cancer.

A policy provision inserted into a budget bill in the final minutes of the legislative session would allow the state to request reimbursement from local 911 service boards for “reasonable costs.” First responders warn the bill could have unintended consequences.

Signed in 1965, the Iowa Civil Rights Act provides legal protection from discrimination against protected classes regarding housing, employment, education, public services and accommodations, banking and more. As the act turns 60, some who were involved in its formation and continuation reflect on where it is today and worry about where it will stand in the future.

Gov. Reynolds said she plans to have discussions with Iowa lawmakers and her DOGE government efficiency task force about how best to reduce property taxes. The push comes after this year’s session ended without a bill to address property taxes.

The Iowa Supreme Court will allow families of four Tyson Waterloo plant workers who died of COVID in 2020 to go forward with negligence suits against executives and supervisiors, but not against the company.

Under the waiver approved by the USDA, starting Jan. 1, 2026, Iowans who receive SNAP won’t be able to use their benefits to purchase items including garden seeds and food-producing plants, candy, gum, soft drinks, lemonade, fruit snacks, certain granola bars and caramel corn.

Reynolds has until June 14 to decide whether to sign into law or veto legislation that would regulate hazardous liquid pipelines and restrict the use of eminent domain

Also in the Capitol Notebook, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 12 Iowa schools to help fund work-based and career-connected learning opportunities for students this summer.

The handbook is meant to help local officials prepare for animal welfare cases and respond to complaints. A representative of an Iowa-based national animal advocacy group called the handbook the most comprehensive guide available in the country.

After her child care bill did not pass the Iowa Legislature, Reynolds on Tuesday announced her plan to create programs and a private donation-infused fund to create a daylong continuum of care for 4-year-olds and boost child care workers’ wages

The Iowa Public Information Board declined to rule last week whether the criminal investigative report into the 2023 downtown Davenport building collapse is a public record.

The state is seeking to restrict any food or beverage that qualifies for the state sales tax from purchase with SNAP. That list includes garden seeds, candy, gum, soft drinks and certain granola bars among other items.