Legislative News

Feb 25, 2021

ABI Priorities Advance Ahead of Next Week’s First Legislative Funnel

Week seven of the 2021 Iowa legislative session is finished, and ABI legislative priorities continue to advance.

Feb 25, 2021

Join Us: Legislative Update Tomorrow

With one week left until the first legislative funnel, tomorrow’s Legislative Update is a great opportunity to hear about the policies moving through the legislature and ask questions that are key to your business.

Feb 25, 2021

Changes to PPP Rules: Only Businesses with Fewer Than 20 Employees Can Apply for Relief for the Next Two Weeks

For the next two weeks, the only businesses that can apply for relief through the Paycheck Protection Program are ones with fewer than 20 employees.

Feb 25, 2021

Federal Spotlight: Drug Companies Announce Plans to Boost Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccinations

Pfizer and Moderna both expect to have a combined 220 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available for delivery by the end of March.

Feb 18, 2021

Federal Spotlight: Iowa Employers Should Keep Close Eye on the Anti-Business Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act

Significant anti-jobs legislation reintroduced this month by federal lawmakers will hurt Iowa businesses and tip the federal labor laws in favor of unions.

Feb 18, 2021

State Sen. Jim Carlin Running for U.S. Senate

Iowa State Sen. Jim Carlin (R-Sioux City) officially announced on Monday that he will run for the Republican nomination in Iowa’s 2022 U.S. Senate race.

Feb 18, 2021

Two Weeks Until the First Funnel Deadline

The first legislative deadline of the 2021 session is fast approaching as lawmakers look to advance their priorities ahead of the first funnel in two weeks.

Feb 11, 2021

Week Five Concludes and ABI Priorities Are On the Move

Several key pieces of ABI’s public policy priorities are moving through the legislative process at the state Capitol.

Feb 11, 2021

Environmental Webinar Takes Place in Two Weeks

ABI members BrownWinick Law Firm and Foley & Lardner LLP will lead an in-depth webinar on federal laws and regulations related to the environment on Tuesday, Feb. 23. 

Feb 11, 2021

Governor Announces Manufacturing Roadmap for Iowa

The governor just announced the state’s Manufacturing 4.0 roadmap to help Iowa manufacturers remain globally competitive. 

Feb 11, 2021

Federal Spotlight: Minimum Wage Increase Sought in Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill

Democratic leaders in both the U.S. House and Senate are seeking to include a $15 federal minimum wage increase in the next COVID-19 aid package.

Feb 4, 2021

Week Four Concludes; ABI Priorities Taking Shape

Several of the policy priorities identified by ABI members during the past summer and fall are on the move. 

Feb 4, 2021

Get Involved: Participate in Legislative Updates

Although no formal day on the hill is planned for 2021, there are several opportunities for you to stay engaged in the public policy activities at ABI.

Feb 4, 2021

Governor Names Bousselot as Budget Director

Gov. Reynolds announced on Monday that she has selected Michael Bousselot to be the director of the Department of Management.

Feb 4, 2021

DNR Wastewater and Drinking Water Rules Meeting Postponed to Next Wednesday

Due to technical difficulties, yesterday’s previously planned stakeholder meeting is being pushed to Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Feb 4, 2021

Federal Spotlight: GOP Senators Propose Alternative COVID-19 Relief Package to Biden

A number of Republican U.S. Senators met with President Joe Biden on Monday to discuss a COVID-19 relief package they are offering as a counter to the $1.9 trillion bill that Biden has put forward.

Feb 4, 2021

Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board Report Released

Gov. Reynolds announced during her press conference today that the Economic Recovery Advisory Board report is now available.

Jan 28, 2021

Week Three of the Iowa Legislature in the Books

Observers of the legislative process know it is critical for legislation to be introduced at the beginning of the legislative session to ensure legislative initiatives advance.

Jan 28, 2021

Dickey Wins Special Election for State Senate Seat in Southeast Iowa

On Tuesday, Republican Adrian Dickey defeated Democrat Mary Stewart in a race to fill the vacant state senate seat in Senate District 41. 

Jan 28, 2021

DNR Stakeholder Meeting on Water Rules Next Week

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is holding a stakeholder meeting on Zoom to discuss several proposed changes to the Iowa Administrative Code regarding separation distances, wastewater, general permits, sludge, private sewage disposal systems and operator certification.

Jan 28, 2021

Iowa Unemployment Rate Drops to Second Lowest in the Nation

On Tuesday, Iowa Workforce Development announced the state’s unemployment rate had plunged to 3.1% for the month of December.

Jan 28, 2021

Federal Spotlight: Biden Signs Executive Order Aimed at Establishment of Emergency Temporary Standard

Last week, President Joe Biden put his signature on an executive order that will affect workplaces across the country.

Jan 21, 2021

Iowa Legislature Moving Full Speed Ahead as Second Week Concludes

Here is a recap of some of the most important issues.

Jan 21, 2021

First Legislative Update Next Week

ABI’s public policy team will hold its first Legislative Update next Friday, Jan. 29, at 8 a.m. 

Jan 21, 2021

Opportunity to Apply for Employer Innovation Fund and Child Care Challenge Fund Grants

Last week, Gov. Reynolds announced employers, employer consortiums and others can now apply for two Future Ready Iowa grants.

Jan 21, 2021

DOR Releases Computer, Computer Peripherals Tax Guidance

On Monday, the Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR) unveiled guidance related to sales tax treatment of computers and computer peripherals.

Jan 21, 2021

Governor Selects Adam Steen to Lead DAS

Last week, Gov. Reynolds announced she has chosen Adam Steen to head the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

Jan 21, 2021

Federal Spotlight: New Opportunity to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has reopened and is now available for applicants to apply for forgivable loans.

Jan 21, 2021

Opportunity to Serve on State Boards/Commissions

Each year, the governor seeks to fill several positions on state boards and commissions.

Jan 14, 2021

First Week of the 2021 Legislative Session is In the Books

Lawmakers completed their first week of business in Des Moines.

Jan 14, 2021

Latest COVID-19 Vaccine News Update

On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that due to a shortage of supply in COVID-19 vaccines, the agency will be narrowing the list of Iowans eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1B.

Jan 14, 2021

DOR Seeks Volunteers for Modernization Focus Groups

The DOR is currently in the process of modernizing its tax and license administration system.

Jan 14, 2021

Budget Director Roederer Retiring at the End of January

On Thursday, Iowa Department of Management (DOM) Director Dave Roederer announced he will retire from his post effective at the end of this month. 

Jan 14, 2021

Senate District 41 Candidates Selected; Election in Less Than Two Weeks

Both Republicans and Democrats have nominated their respective candidates to fill the seat left vacant by former State Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Ottumwa) after she was provisionally seated in Congress last week.

Jan 14, 2021

Federal Spotlight: Biden Chooses Labor, Commerce and SBA Nominees

President-elect Joe Biden continues to roll out his nominees for cabinet-level and senior-level government posts. 

Jan 7, 2021

2021 Legislative Session Kicks Off on Monday; Register for Legislative Update; ABI Legislative Reception Postponed, Virtual Briefing Taking Place on Wednesday

The 89th Iowa General Assembly will convene next week as lawmakers from across the state will gather in Des Moines to develop policy and set the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Jan 7, 2021

IEDA/IDPH Hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Information Webinar for Businesses Tomorrow

The Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Department of Public Health will host a COVID-19 vaccine information webinar for business and industry tomorrow afternoon.

Jan 7, 2021

Davis to Speak at Business Record 2021 Legislative Session Event

ABI Vice President of Public Policy JD Davis will preview key issues the business community will be facing during the 2021 legislative session on a virtual panel Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jan 7, 2021

Treasury and IRS Announce PPP Expenses Now Deductible

Jan 7, 2021

Miller-Meeks Provisionally Seated in Congress; Special Election Date Set

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks was provisionally seated alongside the rest of her colleagues as Democrat Rita Hart continues to contest the certified election results of the 2nd Congressional District race before the U.S. House Committee on Administration.

Jan 7, 2021

Air Quality Bureau Seeking No Fee Increase for FY22

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau held its annual fee advisory group meetings yesterday and announced that it will not increase fees on industry for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021.

Jan 7, 2021

Federal Spotlight: One Party Control in Washington, Democrats Win Both Georgia Senate Races

On Tuesday, Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock defeated incumbent Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in what became the most expensive Congressional races in history.