State Government

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.

The district, previously represented by Democrat Sami Scheetz, covers much of southeast Cedar Rapids.

Also in the Capital Notebook: Statehouse Republican leaders have reached a deal on public K-12 school funding for the next academic year

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.

While legislation allowing all Iowa nursing home residents to have cameras in their rooms has failed to advance this session, the technology is being successfully used in one Iowa care facility.

And how many bills did Republican leaders tuck in their pocket to potentially resurrect in the session’s closing weeks?

Republican leaders in the Iowa House and Senate said they are carefully monitoring the impact of sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports announced this week by President Donald Trump as they draft the state's budget.

Also, in the Capitol Notebook, lawmakers advance a bill allowing psilocybin prescriptions in Iowa if FDA approves the substance.

The issues illustrate the legislative divide between Republican leaders in the Iowa House and Senate, which was apparent Thursday as legislation neared the second “funnel” deadline of the 2025 session.

The public task force is charged with making government efficiency recommendations to Gov. Kim Reynolds and state lawmakers later this year.

A bill dealing with property rights, eminent domain and pipelines advanced through an Iowa Senate committee for the first time in four years, but an amendment dramatically altered the proposal

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday responded to a federal justice department letter that expressed concern with a right of first refusal provision in her state energy policy proposal.