How ABI Public Policy Benefits You

The ABI public policy team reports on the happenings of the Iowa Legislature in real time during the Legislative Session. The updates show how the association performs against the policy priorities developed by our year-round cycle of policy development. That policy development is about to enter a new phase in August as we convene ABI’s policy committees. Now is the time for all ABI members to confirm that they are on the policy committees important to their enterprises.

In August, ABI will hold public policy committee meetings at the ABI offices in Des Moines. As an ABI member, you or someone from your team is encouraged to participate and provide the expertise vital to ensure that we continue to improve the competitiveness of the business climate in Iowa.

We seek input in five specific issue areas:

1. Workplace and Product Safety | August 6th
Most recently this committee has forwarded public policy recommendations that have become law affecting Iowa’s drug testing law, tort reform for medical employers and trucking companies as well as managing costs and creating predictability in workers compensation casesand added additional funding to defend the second injury fund for workers' compensation from unwarranted claims.

2. Economic Growth | August 11
This session saw the enactment of omnibus legislation from the Iowa Economic Development Authority that will keep Iowa competitive with other states in the attraction and expansion of corporate headquarters and made changes to workforce training programs at Iowa’s community colleges.

3. Tax | August 13th
Business taxes today are lower because of the work of this committee. Employers structured as pass-through entities will see a flat 3.8% income tax rate, and corporate
filers are ahead of schedule to a flat 5.5% rate in just a few tax cycles. The 2026 Legislative Session delivered a property tax reform and reduction bill that observed the ABI principle that no reform should simply shift property tax burden from commercial and industrial classes of property to advantage residential taxpayers.

4. Employment and Workforce | August 18th
New laws relating to work-based learning, expansion of apprenticeship programs, childcare solutions and ongoing support for workforce housing incentives all started as initiatives of this committee. Policy and tax rate changes for Iowa's unemployment system started in this committee.

5. Environment | August 20th
This committee recently saw success in limiting arbitrary air dispersion modeling not required by federal or state law, saving expanding businesses regulatory burdens at the time of investment. Thanks to you, the ABI member companies that have participated in the policy committee process. Your engagement has clearly led to an improved business climate in Iowa. Please consider continuing those efforts. And for member companies that have not participated, please consider picking a committee and getting involved.

To take steps to join a committee, please visit the ABI webpage at: www.iowaabi.org/public-policy/get-involved/ ABI