State Government

A bill that would limit the authority of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to purchase land for public use was shelved Wednesday ahead of a key legislative deadline.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing -- which inspects nursing homes -- is asserting that emails that were completed, sent and received are preliminary “draft” documents that aren’t subject to disclosure under Iowa’s open records law.

Advocates for Social Justice members are asking for the city of Cedar Rapids to lobby against a bill that would dismantle citizen review boards that provide oversight of local law enforcement like the one Cedar Rapids created in 2021.

Despite advancing the bill to the full committee, Republican senators on the subcommittee said they were uncomfortable with its vague language.

Also, a House panel dismisses ethics complaint over a vote for private school assistance

State lawmakers say the new proposal will be an improvement upon the original, which was shut down in 2009 after an audit showed $26 million in improperly issued funds, resulting in at least seven criminal convictions.

AEAs, gender ID, school safety and many other significant bills need more legislative attention this week to survive a legislative deadline.

Also, House passes penalties for ‘grooming’ by teachers

Staffing agencies, whose rates would be capped by the bill, warn the proposal could cause nurses to leave the agencies and thus worsen the nursing home worker shortage

Since the settlements were announced, concerns have been raised that some council members may have supported the use of taxpayer money to dispose of legal claims that stem from their own behavior or the behavior of their fellow council members.

Iowa is among the states considering creating grants to help rural grocery stores stay open.

The proposal backed would restrict vape sales in the state and, opponents say, leave Big Tobacco stronger.