Legislative News

2020

• Apr 9, 2020

  Ernst Updates ABI Members with Latest on COVID-19 from Federal Level

  Sen. Joni Ernst joined more than 90 ABI members on a teleconference call to brief them on the federal government’s actions on the coronavirus.

• Apr 9, 2020

  Legislative Session to be Suspended Through April 30

  The Legislative Council is meeting later today and will vote to suspend the 2020 legislative session through the end of this month. 

• Apr 9, 2020

  Gov. Reynolds Appoints McDermott to Iowa Supreme Court

  Last Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she selected Matthew McDermott to serve on the Iowa Supreme Court.

• Apr 9, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Sanders Suspends Bid for Democratic Nomination

  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced on Wednesday that he was ending his presidential campaign for the Democractic nomination.

• Apr 9, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Measure to Expand Paycheck Protection Program Appropriations Blocked in the Senate

  On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced he would seek to pass $250 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) via unanimous consent in the Senate on Thursday. 

• Apr 9, 2020

  Iowa Workforce Development Updates Unemployment Policy

  IWD continues to update and change some of its initial policy decisions on unemployment after the passage of federal legislation, additional guidance from the Department of Labor and responding to extra stress on the unemployment insurance trust fund. 

• Apr 9, 2020

  District Judge Rules for Waterloo, ABI Appeals

  A district court judge early Monday ruled for the city of Waterloo on its local criminal history ordinance that violates the state’s preemption statute.

• Apr 2, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Treasury Issues Guidance for Paycheck Protection Program; Take Advantage of This Relief

  Earlier this week, the U.S. Treasury Department unveiled guidance for a large component of the Phase III coronavirus relief legislation that President Trump recently signed into law. 

• Apr 2, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: IRS Unveils FAQ Guides for FFCRA Tax Credits

  The Internal Revenue Service has released an extensive FAQ guide on how employers can take advantage of the tax credits related to the paid sick leave and family leave benefits in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

• Apr 2, 2020

  IWD Updates Leave Policy for Employees Affected by Coronavirus

  Iowa Workforce Development announced on Monday that employees who will be or are laid off, or are unable to work, due to the coronavirus will no longer be required to use all paid leave prior to being eligible for unemployment benefits. 

• Apr 2, 2020

  SOS Announces All Active Registered Voters Will Receive Absentee Ballot Via Mail

  On Tuesday, Secretary of State Paul Pate stated that all active registered voters in Iowa would be mailed an absentee ballot for the June 2 primary to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

• Apr 2, 2020

  “The Bottom Line on Industrial Stormwater” Training Webinar Coming Soon

  The Iowa Storm Water Education Partnership, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host multiple sessions for industrial stormwater compliance. 

• Mar 26, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Senate Passes Historic Phase III Coronavirus Relief Package

  Early Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the largest emergency stimulus package in the history of the country as the U.S. economy grapples with the effects of the coronavirus.

• Mar 26, 2020

  DOR Extends Income Tax and Other Tax Types Filing and Payment Deadline

  Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen signed an order that will extend filing and payment deadlines for income, franchise and moneys and credits taxes with a due date on or after March 19 and before July 31, to a new deadline of July 31.

• Mar 26, 2020

  SOS Expands Absentee Ballot Voting Period

  On Monday, Secretary of State Paul Pate announced he was extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for those who decide to vote by mail in the June primary.

• Mar 26, 2020

  Governor Continues to Lead; Secures Orders Helping Small Businesses Affected By COVID-19

  Gov. Reynolds and her team have been listening to and responding to the needs of the business community.

• Mar 26, 2020

  Air Quality Public Hearing Format Changed

  The public hearing that has been scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 1 p.m. concerning a proposed update to air quality rules has been moved to a teleconference call format. 

• Mar 26, 2020

  Legislative Update Call is Tomorrow

  The public policy team will hold a teleconference call for ABI members only tomorrow at 8 a.m.

• Mar 19, 2020

  Opportunity to Provide Feedback on Coronavirus

  Early next week, ABI policy staff will send an email to members of all five public policy committees requesting feedback.

• Mar 19, 2020

  Legislative Session Suspended Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

  On Sunday, March 16, 2020, legislative leaders announced a decision to halt the 2020 legislative session for at least 30 days to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

• Mar 19, 2020

  Employer and Employee Unemployment Claim Assistance Available

  On Monday, Gov. Reynolds announced assistance for those employers and employees who are dealing with unemployment claims related directly or indirectly to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Mar 19, 2020

  Candidate Filing Deadline Complete; Pro-Business Legislators Retiring

  The deadline for individuals seeking office for the Iowa House, Iowa Senate or a federal seat has come and gone, as we now turn our attention to the June primary. 

• Mar 19, 2020

  Revenue Estimating Conference Projects Steady Growth for FY21

  The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met last Friday and estimates the state’s budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins July 1, will grow by 1.8% to $8.237 billion. 

• Mar 19, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Trump Signs Phase II of Coronavirus Relief Package; Third Phase Coming

  President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act last night as Congress approved the bipartisan measure aimed to provide relief to the American public.

• Mar 12, 2020

  2020 Iowa Business Day on the Hill Successful!

  ABI members and members of affiliated organizations had the opportunity to hear from legislative leaders and lobby their own legislators on key business issues during the annual Iowa Business Day on the Hill.

• Mar 12, 2020

  Second Funnel is Next Friday; House Passes Employer Protections for Marijuana Usage

  We just wrapped week 9 of the 2020 legislative session.

• Mar 12, 2020

  Three Finalists Announced for Iowa Supreme Court Seat

  Last Friday, the Judicial Nominating Commission nominated three individuals to interview before Gov. Reynolds for the opportunity to serve on the Iowa Supreme Court. 

• Mar 12, 2020

  Legislative Update Call Tomorrow

  The latest legislative teleconference call will be held tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

• Mar 5, 2020

  Iowa Business Day on the Hill is Next Week

  ABI members will gather from all over the state next Wednesday for the 2020 Iowa Business Day on the Hill. 

• Mar 5, 2020

  Two Weeks Until the Second Funnel

  Time is moving quickly as the Iowa Legislature is nearing the second funnel deadline on March 20.

• Feb 27, 2020

  ABI Legislative Update Call Tomorrow Morning

  The public policy team will lead a teleconference call to talk about the latest at the Capitol.

• Feb 27, 2020

  Candidate Filing Period Has Begun

  Individuals looking to run for state or federal office now have the opportunity to file their paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office to make it official.

• Feb 27, 2020

  Lyon Confirmed as DNR Director

  Kayla Lyon, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, was confirmed to that position by the Iowa Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

• Feb 27, 2020

  Christensen Elected as Supreme Court Chief Justice

  On Monday, Justice Susan Christensen was elected by her peers to serve as the next Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court.

• Feb 27, 2020

  Kurtenbach to Resign as DAS Director

  It was announced on Monday that Jim Kurtenbach, director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), will step down from his post effective March 6. 

• Feb 27, 2020

  Bills that Received Action this Week

  With the first funnel in the rearview mirror, the House and Senate began debating bills in earnest this week.

• Feb 27, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: DOL Issues Final Rule on Joint Employer Standard

  The Department of Labor (DOL) unveiled its final rule for the definition of the joint employer standard on Wednesday.

• Feb 20, 2020

  Register for Iowa Business Day on the Hill Today

  We’re less than three weeks away from the annual Iowa Business Day on the Hill, which will take place on Wednesday, March 11. 

• Feb 20, 2020

  Governor Selects Marler to Lead DOT

  Gov. Reynolds appointed Scott Marler to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Transportation this week.

• Feb 20, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: House Passes Anti-business PRO Act

  The U.S. House recently approved the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO). 

• Feb 20, 2020

  First Funnel Complete: A Look at What’s Alive and Dead

  The first legislative deadline of the 2020 legislative session is complete and week seven begins on Monday.

• Feb 13, 2020

  Next Legislative Update Call Tomorrow

  The ABI public policy team will host a legislative update teleconference call tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

• Feb 13, 2020

  Opportunity for Involvement: Boards and Commission Openings

  ABI members have the opportunity to get involved with statewide boards and commissions by applying for an opening.

• Feb 13, 2020

  Feedback Requested: Manufacturing Exemption Rule

  During the last legislative session, ABI was instrumental in getting a clarification to a definitional change in the 2018 tax bill related to manufacturers primarily engaged in manufacturing.

• Feb 13, 2020

  Governor’s Initiatives Advance, Statewide Tour Announced

  This week at her press conference, Gov. Reynolds was joined by a diverse group of stakeholders in support of SSB 3116, her Invest in Iowa Act.

• Feb 13, 2020

  Less Than a Month Away: Iowa Business Day on Hill

  With less than a month away, don’t forget to register for Iowa Business Day on the Hill!

• Feb 13, 2020

  First Legislative Deadline Is Next Week; Job Crushers Advance

  With one week until the first funnel, several bad for business bills have moved through the first step in the legislative process, which is the passage of a subcommittee panel of three legislators.

• Feb 6, 2020

  Legislative Update Calls to Occur Every Other Week

  Following feedback from ABI members on last week’s legislative teleconference call, the ABI public policy team has decided to hold the calls every other week from now through the end of the session.

• Feb 6, 2020

  Opportunity to Comment on FY21 Air Quality Bureau Budget

  Iowa DNR’s Air Quality Bureau is seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders on the Air Quality Bureau Budget for Fiscal Year 2021. 

• Feb 6, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Trump Acquitted by the Senate

  President Donald Trump, the third U.S. President to be impeached by the U.S. House, was acquitted of two impeachment charges by the U.S. Senate yesterday. 

• Feb 6, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: U.S. House to Vote Today on State Right to Work Laws Elimination

  The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote later today on the PRO Act.

• Feb 6, 2020

  Capitol Action This Week

  Over 120 subcommittee meetings were held this shortened week at the Capitol as legislators look to advance their priorities prior to the first funnel deadline on Feb. 21. 

• Jan 30, 2020

  First Legislative Update Call Tomorrow

  The ABI public policy team will hold the first legislative update teleconference call tomorrow, Jan. 31, at 8 a.m.

• Jan 30, 2020

  Iowa Caucuses on Monday, Feb. 3

  Make sure you’re prepared to caucus by checking out ABI’s IAVotes.com Caucus Toolkit.

• Jan 30, 2020

  Governor Selects Oxley for the Iowa Supreme Court

  Gov. Reynolds named Cedar Rapids attorney Dana Oxley to the Iowa Supreme Court on Tuesday. 

• Jan 30, 2020

  Secretary of State Unveils Fast Track Filing for Biennial Reports

  Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced last week that the fast track filing system for biennial reports is now up and running. 

• Jan 30, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Trump Signs USMCA Into Law

  On Wednesday, President Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law, which is a tremendous victory for the business and agriculture communities. 

• Jan 30, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Trump Announces Rule to Replace WOTUS

  President Trump’s administration unveiled a new rule last week that will take the place of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

• Jan 30, 2020

  Week Three at the Capitol is Complete

  The Legislature concluded its third week of the 2020 legislative session this week. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  Legislature Kicks Into High Gear

  The 2020 Legislative Session has concluded its second week, and the ABI public policy team attended a number of subcommittee meetings throughout the week. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  First Legislative Update Call Next Friday

  JD Davis and Brad Hartkopf will lead ABI’s first legislative teleconference next Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 a.m. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  Air Quality Fee Review Meetings Next Week

  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources invites stakeholders and the public to review and comment on the draft Air Quality Budget for the coming fiscal year. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: Trump Administration Proposes Streamlining Environmental Rules

  President Trump’s Council on Environmental Quality is looking to put forward rules that would update the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the first time in 40 years. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  State of Manufacturing Address Live from Iowa

  Jay Timmons, president & CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, gave the state of manufacturing address at ABI member company Vermeer Corporation yesterday. 

• Jan 23, 2020

  Caucus Toolkit: Be Ready to Caucus on Feb. 3

  The Iowa caucuses are 11 days away.

• 

  Jan 16, 2020

  Record Turnout for Legislative Briefing and Reception

  Members, lawmakers, statewide elected officials and agency directors turned out in force as ABI kicked off the first week of the 2020 legislative session.

• Jan 16, 2020

  2020 Legislative Session Kicks Off

  The second session of the 88th Iowa General Assembly commenced on Monday with opening speeches from legislative leaders. 

• Jan 16, 2020

  Wiggins Retirement and Three Finalists Announced for Iowa Supreme Court

  There has been a whirlwind of activity over the last few weeks in the Iowa Judicial Branch. 

• Jan 16, 2020

  Governor Chooses Interim Director for DOT

  Last Friday, Gov. Reynolds selected Stuart Anderson, a civil engineer with the Iowa Department of Transportation for 28 years, to serve as interim director of the agency. 

• Jan 16, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: USMCA Passes Senate; Trump Signs Phase One Trade Agreement with China

  There was an incredible amount of positive news on the trade front this week.

• Jan 9, 2020

  ABI Files Lawsuit Against Waterloo Over Ban The Box Ordinance

  Last week, ABI filed a petition against the city of Waterloo for the city’s criminal history ordinance that was passed late last year.

• Jan 9, 2020

  Legislative Session Begins Next Week

  The second session of the 88th Iowa General Assembly commences on Monday, January 23. 

• Jan 9, 2020

  Iowa Caucuses in Less than a Month; Utilize ABI’s Caucus Toolkit

  Registered Iowa Democrats and Republicans will have the opportunity to make their voices heard before the world on Monday, February 3 as the first-in-the-nation caucuses will take be in the Hawkeye State.

• Jan 9, 2020

  Register for Monthly ABI Legislative Update Calls

  One way you can stay up to speed and have your company’s voice heard on policy matters is by registering for the monthly ABI legislative update calls. 

• Jan 9, 2020

  EPA to Host Webinars on American Iron and Steel Requirements

  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct two webinars over the next two weeks to discuss the State Revolving Fund (SRF) American Iron and Steel (AIS) Requirements.

• Jan 9, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: USMCA Passes Senate Committee

  On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Finance overwhelmingly approved the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a resounding vote of 25-3. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  Legislative Briefing and Reception Approaching Fast; Sign Up Today

  One of ABI’s most popular events is set to take place in less than two weeks. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  Agencies Pre-file Legislation for 2020

  We’re just under two weeks out from the legislative session commencing, and several bills have already been pre-filed by a variety of agencies and departments. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  Business Tax Changes Have Arrived

  As we move into 2020, it’s important to note significant changes to Iowa’s tax code that will affect the business community. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  Empower Rural Iowa Recommendations Unveiled

  The Empower Rural Iowa task forces recently released their recommendations for the 2020 legislative session. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  ABI Attends DNR Water Rules Meeting

  Brad Hartkopf, ABI director of public policy, attended a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stakeholder meeting on Dec. 19 about proposed changes to drinking water, wastewater, private sewage disposal systems and sludge. 

• Jan 2, 2020

  List of Applicants for Iowa Supreme Court Vacancy Set

  Twelve individuals are set to be interviewed to fill the opening on the Iowa Supreme Court.

• Jan 2, 2020

  Federal Spotlight: New DOL Overtime Rule Goes Into Effect

  Several new laws and regulations have gone into effect now that we have entered the new year.