State Government

The bill “ensures that we have added protections for Iowans who need it,” Hite said. It was amended by the House, so it will return to the Senate, which previously approved it 47-0, before going to the governor.

Iowa state park rangers who had been told they had to move out of state-owned housing by Nov. 30, would get an eviction extension to at least 2024 under a budget approved Wednesday by the Iowa House.

Also, Gov. Reynolds signs into law two bills relating to Israel

GOP says changes needed to modernize, put focus on re-employment. The legislationm they say, updates a system from the 1930s when unemployment compensation was the sole safety net for out-of-work Iowans.

Schools would be required to post their classroom materials and library books online for parents to see — but not twice annually as previously proposed — under school transparency legislation moving in the Iowa House.

During debate of a $652 million appropriation for several departments covered by the justice systems appropriation, Democrats offered an amendment to address working conditions in Iowa prisons, where a correctional officer and nurse were murdered by inmates March 23, 2021.

Bill to permit warrantless search of abandoned garbage goes to governor

The state is making more than a half-million dollars available to prepare K-12 teachers to teach computer science.

Bill would allow retailers to opt out of redeeming carbonated and alcoholic beverage containers, but they would pay a half-cent handling fee for five years. Distributors would pay an additional penny handling fee to redemption centers for each bottle or can returned.

State lawmakers have given the first stage of approval to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would clarify what happens when Iowa’s governor must be replaced.

Progress on $750 million flood protection system is “great story to tell back in Washington,” Rep. Hinson says after tour, but she also sees a funding gap as materials prices rise.

A new transgender athlete ban signed into law March 3 prohibits biological boys from competing on girls teams. Gavy Smith, a Decorah High School freshman born as Gavin, now is limited to being the manager of the girls golf team rather than a player.