Legislative News

Mar 21, 2019

Senate Approves Work Comp Legislation Concerning Idiopathic Falls

On Tuesday afternoon, the Iowa Senate passed SF 507, which states personal injuries due to idiopathic or unexplained falls from a level surface onto the same level surface are not compensable under workers’ compensation. 

Mar 21, 2019

Department Of Revenue Issues Guidance Regarding New Tax Legislation

Gov. Reynolds signed SF 220 into law last Friday. 

Mar 21, 2019

Senate Passes Grid Equity Legislation

On Monday, the Iowa Senate passed SF 583 with a bipartisan vote of 28-19. 

Mar 21, 2019

Unofficial Results: Eric Giddens Wins Senate District 30 Special Election

Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls) defeated Walt Rogers (R-Cedar Falls) in the Tuesday special election to fill the vacancy created when Sen. Jeff Danielson resigned to take a position with the American Wind Energy Association.

Mar 21, 2019

Senate Signs Off On Unemployment Misconduct Legislation

The Iowa Senate on Wednesday passed SF 561, which codifies the definition of misconduct and provides specific examples of acts that could be considered misconduct in an employment situation. 

Mar 21, 2019

Senate Subcommittee Advances Empower Rural Iowa Legislation

Late Thursday morning, three members of a Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee met to discuss SSB 1193, which is the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative. 

Mar 21, 2019

Iowa House Approves Amended Iowa Workforce Bill

Early Thursday afternoon, the Iowa House approved on a party-line vote HF 531, which was Iowa Workforce Development’s bill.

Mar 21, 2019

Environmental Protection Commission Meets

The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) held a teleconference on March 19.

Mar 21, 2019

House Ways and Means Recommends Sports Gambling and Wagering Bill for Passage

HF 648 passed the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday with an amendment. 

Mar 14, 2019

House and Senate Advance Pro-growth Legislation

The legislature advanced several pieces of legislation that ABI supports.

Mar 14, 2019

Did You Miss Iowa Business Day on the Hill? Participate in Tomorrow’s Call.

Join us tomorrow, March 15, for our monthly legislative update call

Mar 14, 2019

Agriculture Secretary Naig Speaks to Senate Committee

Sec. Mike Naig spoke to the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee on March 12.

Mar 14, 2019

U.S. DOL Proposes New Overtime Rule

Late last week, the Department of Labor announced its proposed overtime rule.

Mar 14, 2019

ABI Joins Letter to Treasury on Business Interest Deductions

The National Association of Manufacturers alerted us to an issue at the federal level that could make it more expensive for manufacturers to purchase machinery and equipment.

Mar 14, 2019

Action Alert: Protect Private Property Rights

HF 636 and SF 459 would prohibit employers from having a policy that keeps guns out of the parking lot.

Mar 7, 2019

Legislative Update Call is March 15

If you are located out-of-state or unable to join us for Iowa Business Day on the Hill since the event is full, make sure you register for the ABI legislative update call on Friday, March 15 at 8 a.m. 

Mar 7, 2019

Iowa Business Day on Hill Event: Registration FULL

A record crowd is expected for Iowa Business Day on the Hill on Wednesday, March 13.

Mar 7, 2019

Empower Rural Iowa Legislation Advances

Members of a House Ways and Means subcommittee met Wednesday to discuss HSB 204. 

Mar 7, 2019

Funnel Week Complete – ABI Priorities Advance, as Do Job Crushers

Numerous committee meetings were held this week as the Legislature worked to advance bills through the process before the first self-imposed deadline of the session known as the funnel.

Feb 28, 2019

ABI Testifies in Support of Future Ready Iowa

Monday afternoon, Nicole Crain spoke in favor of HSB 179, which is legislation that fully funds Future Ready Iowa for the 2020 fiscal year. 

Feb 28, 2019

Workers’ Compensation Legislation Advances

On Wednesday afternoon, the House Commerce Committee voted 15-8 in a bipartisan manner to advance HSB 181, which is a bill that seeks to correct a recent Iowa Supreme Court case regarding idiopathic falls concerning workers’ compensation. 

Feb 28, 2019

Senate Republicans Release Budget Targets

The Iowa Senate GOP unveiled their Fiscal Year 2020 budget targets on Wednesday afternoon.

Feb 28, 2019

Gov. Reynolds Announces Cabinet Changes and Appointments

In case you missed it, last Friday Gov. Reynolds announced changes in key positions.

Feb 28, 2019

Private Day on Hill Luncheon

ABI is hosting an invitation-only lunch for IIPAC investors.

Feb 28, 2019

House and Senate Agriculture Committees Pass Trade Resolution

HSB 199, a Concurrent Resolution, was debated in the House Agriculture Committee on Feb. 26. 

Feb 28, 2019

Federal Spotlight: ABI Joins USMCA Coalition and Immigration Compact

Early this week, two coalitions announced their initiatives, and ABI is part of both groups that are key to Iowa’s economy.

Feb 28, 2019

State Board and Licensing Reform Bills Advance

A House Labor Subcommittee met on Feb. 27 to discuss HSB 180.

Feb 28, 2019

Parking Lot Firearm and Adoption Legislation Advance

Late this afternoon, the House Public Safety Committee passed HF 259 on an 11-9 party-line vote. 

Feb 21, 2019

Legislative Committees Advance Employment Bills

This week, legislators held meetings in the House and Senate on bills that ABI members have expressed concern about, and some are included on ABI’s Job Crushers list. 

Feb 21, 2019

Idiopathic Falls Supreme Court Case Legislation Introduced

Last fall, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned two lower courts and the state workers’ compensation commissioner in a ruling related to an idiopathic/unexplained fall due to an individual’s medical condition that happened to occur at the workplace.

Feb 21, 2019

Future Ready Iowa Appropriation Legislation Introduced

Feb 21, 2019

House GOP Releases FY20 Budget Targets

House Republicans unveiled their budget targets for Fiscal Year 2020 on Tuesday. 

Feb 21, 2019

EPC Denies Petition for Rulemaking on Numeric Lake Standards

The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) met Feb. 19 to discuss the Iowa Environmental Council’s petition for rulemaking regarding numeric water quality standards for nutrients in public lakes. 

Feb 21, 2019

Department of Revenue Proposes Remote Sellers Rule

The Department of Revenue provided notice of rules to implement the sales tax collection requirements imposed on marketplace facilitators and remote sellers by the tax reform bill passed by the Iowa Legislature in 2018. 

Feb 21, 2019

Governor Selects New Iowa Supreme Court Justice

Gov. Reynolds announced on Wednesday that she had chosen Christopher McDonald to serve on the Iowa Supreme Court.

Feb 21, 2019

Special Election Set For Senate District 30

Following the resignation of State Senator Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls) last week, Gov. Reynolds has set the special election to fill his vacant Senate seat for Tuesday, March 19. 

Feb 14, 2019

Subcommittee Advances E-Notary Legislation

A Senate subcommittee held a hearing on Monday afternoon to consider SSB 1116, which is a bill that would legalize electronic notaries here in Iowa.

Feb 14, 2019

Iowa Business Day on Hill is March 13

Iowa Business Day on the Hill is less than one month away!

Feb 14, 2019

Governor Joins American Workforce Policy Advisory Board

On Wednesday, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump announced that Gov. Reynolds had been appointed to serve on the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. 

Feb 14, 2019

Federal Spotlight: USMCA Trade Deal Key to Iowa Economy

As Congress potentially considers the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this spring or summer, now is the time to encourage members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation to approve the trade pact.

Feb 14, 2019

Federal Spotlight: Date for Public Hearing on WOTUS Unveiled

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency have announced a public hearing on the newly revised Water of the United States (WOTUS) rule will take place on Feb. 27 and 28 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Feb 14, 2019

Anti-Business Bills Advance

Feb 7, 2019

ABI Advocates for One-week Waiting Period

ABI and its members know and experience Iowa’s workforce shortage more than any other organization. 

Feb 7, 2019

Tax Cleanup Bill Passes Senate Ways and Means

The Senate Ways and Means Committee met on Wednesday to consider two pieces of legislation. 

Feb 7, 2019

State Joint Employer Legislation Clears Commerce Committee

On Wednesday, the House Commerce Committee took up HSB 5, which is a bill relating to the franchisor-franchisee relationship for the purposes of certain unemployment laws. 

Feb 7, 2019

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs Onto Letter Opposing Calif. Data Privacy Law

ABI recently joined other business associations in supporting an effort being led by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to encourage other states to not adopt a version of an invasive data privacy law that was recently passed in California.

Feb 7, 2019

Hot Topics at the Capitol: Sports Betting and Judicial Nominating Commission

There were more than 100 subcommittees held this week on various topics. 

Feb 7, 2019

ABI Continues Work on Regulatory Reform Priority

This week, the Senate Commerce Committee passed SF 25 unanimously, which eliminates the requirement of the Iowa Department of Public Health to certify third-party evaluators for purposes of water filter testing. 

Jan 31, 2019

Employment Bills Receive Hearings

On Tuesday, several pieces of legislation affecting employers were discussed before House and Senate subcommittees.

Jan 31, 2019

IEDA & IFA Director Durham Speaks to Economic Development Subcommittee

On Tuesday, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham presented before the Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. 

Jan 31, 2019

Iowa Senate Introduces Medical Marijuana Proposals

Members in the Iowa Senate have introduced legislation that would expand Iowa’s law as it relates to the use of cannabidiol. 

Jan 31, 2019

Regulatory Reform Legislation Advances

SF 25 received a subcommittee hearing Monday afternoon. 

Jan 31, 2019

Federal Spotlight: USMCA Trade Deal Needs Congressional Approval

According to the U.S. Chamber’s International Relations update, Trump administration officials are working to build support for congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Jan 24, 2019

First Legislative Update Call Tomorrow Morning

Nicole Crain and Brad Hartkopf will lead the first legislative update teleconference call tomorrow at 8 a.m. 

Jan 24, 2019

ABI, Business and Agriculture Organizations Pen Letter to EPC

ABI and several other organizations submitted a letter to members of the Environmental Protection Commission urging their denial of a petition to establish numeric nutrient criteria for lakes.

Jan 24, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Speaks to House Commerce

On Tuesday, Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen provided an update to members of the House Commerce Committee about the Insurance Division. 

Jan 24, 2019

ABI Comments Before Subcommittee on Security Breaches

Members of an Iowa House Commerce subcommittee met Wednesday to hear from the attorney general’s office regarding HSB 14.

Jan 24, 2019

Packed Meeting on Iowa’s Bottle Deposit Law

Members of a Senate Natural Resources subcommittee met late Wednesday afternoon to discuss SF 59, which increases the amount paid to redemption centers from one penny to two pennies and gets the cans out of grocery and convenience stores.

Jan 24, 2019

Federal Spotlight: U.S. Chamber Urges Government Be Reopened

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently submitted a letter to members of Congress requesting the government be opened as soon as possible citing effects the shutdown is having on the economy and the business community. 

Jan 17, 2019

Legislative Themes Include Bipartisanship, Workforce, Health Care and Rural Iowa

Leaders of the 88th General Assembly provided their opening remarks to members of the House and Senate on Monday, Jan. 14. 

Jan 17, 2019

ABI Reception Connects New Members with New Legislators

The ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception brought many new legislators and first-time attendees together to network and talk about the 2019 legislative priorities for the association. 

Jan 17, 2019

Gov. Reynolds Supports Workforce, Rural Iowa and Criminal Justice Reform

On Tuesday, Jan. 15, ABI President Mike Ralston and the public policy team had the opportunity to listen to the governor’s speech from the House gallery. 

Jan 17, 2019

Justice Cady Commends Business Specialty Court

ABI members were highlighted in Gov. Reynolds' speech on Tuesday and Chief Justice Cady’s speech on Wednesday. 

Jan 17, 2019

First Legislative Conference Call on Jan. 25

If you missed the legislative briefing and reception, you’ll want to join next week’s legislative conference call. 

Jan 17, 2019

Governor’s Budget Director Unveils $7.65+ Billion Budget

Prior to the governor’s Condition of the State on Tuesday, Director of Management David Roederer provided reporters a pen and paper review of the state budget. 

Jan 17, 2019

Federal Spotlight: ABI Joins Comments on NLRB Joint Employer Rule

Last week ABI signed onto comments regarding the proposed Joint Employer Rule.

Jan 10, 2019

88th General Assembly Begins Monday

The Iowa Legislature will gavel in on Monday, Jan. 14 for the first legislative session of the two-year General Assembly.

Jan 10, 2019

Tax Expenditure Committee Meets

The legislative tax expenditure committee met Tuesday, Jan. 8 to review specific tax credit programs and discuss potential legislative changes.

Jan 10, 2019

Governor Announces Cabinet Appointments

Gov. Reynolds’ office issued a press release on Tuesday proclaiming the governor has appointed several individuals to cabinet posts.

Jan 10, 2019

First Legislative Teleconference on Jan. 25

The first legislative teleconference will be held Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 a.m.

Jan 10, 2019

Federal Spotlight: WOTUS Hearing Postponed Due to Government Shutdown

The EPA and the Department of the Army announced on Monday that due to a lack of appropriations, a public hearing on the revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has been postponed indefinitely.

Jan 10, 2019

ICYMI: Environment Committee Newsletter

Last week, members of ABI’s Environment Committee received an update on several items of interest from air quality budget meetings to protected water source rules and streamlining air construction permitting requirements.

Jan 10, 2019

Federal Spotlight: Feenstra Announces Primary Challenge to King

State Senator Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) declared on Wednesday that he would take on Congressman Steve King (R-Kiron) in next June’s Republican primary. 

Jan 3, 2019

ICYMI: 2019 ABI Priorities

In case you missed the publication of the 2019 ABI Legislative Priorities, the organization will once again be focused on workforce and a competitive business climate for employers statewide. 

Jan 3, 2019

Federal Spotlight: Court Rules Against Obama-Era Joint Employer Rule

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last Friday the joint employer standard, which was vastly expanded under the Obama administration, was too broad and must be rewritten. 

Jan 3, 2019

Department of Revenue Proposes Additional Rules

The Department of Revenue continues to propose new rules after the passage of SF 2417, the tax reform bill, last legislative session.