State Government

Advocates hope the governor’s plan to combine mental health and substance use treatment networks will improve access for Iowans. But some worry that until other funding issues are addressed — like low Medicaid reimbursement rates — “We're just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”

Proposal to increase penalties for non-consensual termination of a pregnancy could have chilling impact on in vitro fertilization, Democrats argued

The bill also creates a new state crime of human smuggling for undocumented immigrants.

State Republican lawmakers this week advanced a bill that would dismantle citizen review boards that probe alleged police misconduct like those established in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights and Dubuque.

Proposal now goes to the Senate, which has another plan

Also, the Iowa House gave unanimous approval to a proposal placing constraints on the practice of civil asset forfeiture by law enforcement

Also, House rejects a bill related to topsoil and stormwater enforcement at construction projects

The bills come as legislators across the country consider how to respond to the emerging problem fueled by artificial intelligence technology.

Iowa City Democrat calls the Iowa House proposal ‘ridiculous’ and ‘shameful’

Supporters of the bill, which calls for a constitutional amendment, include tax policy groups, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and Iowa Bankers Association. Critics include the progressive advocacy group Common Good Iowa and the Iowa Catholic Conference.

Also, the Iowa House passed bills dealing with radon mitigation and taxing drug paraphernalia

Democrats vehemently opposed the bill, arguing it would make it harder for certain Iowans to cast a ballot. Republicans said the bill aims to maintain the highest level of election integrity in Iowa.