Legislative News

May 20, 2022

$25 Million Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program Launched

The Business Incentive Grant Program, announced Wednesday by Governor Reynolds will provide employers of all sizes to help address one of the barriers to workforce.

May 20, 2022

Early Voting for June 7 Primary Has Begun

Absentee and early in-person voting for the Tuesday, June 7 primary began Wednesday, May 18.

May 20, 2022

Adjournment Nearing - Iowa Senate Committee Advances Appropriations Bills

Some members of the Iowa Legislature were back in Des Moines this week.

May 19, 2022

Environmental News: No Fee Increases, New AQ Bureau Chief, Opportunities to Comment and Emissions are Plummeting in Iowa

There are a number of environmental regulatory updates to report. On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Bureau confirmed that there would be no increase in fees for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins on July 1.

May 13, 2022

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs onto NAM Supply Chain Letter

ABI recently added our name to a letter spearheaded by our federal partner, the National Association of Manufacturers.

May 13, 2022

ARRC Approves Rule on Air Quality Electronic Reporting

On Monday, the Administrative Rules Review Committee held their monthly meeting at the Capitol and they approved filed rule ARC 6271C.

May 13, 2022

June Primary is Less than a Month Away

There are less than four weeks until Iowa voters head to the polls to cast their ballots for candidates running in the Republican and Democratic Primaries.

May 13, 2022

Atlantic and Fort Dodge Regional Meetings Postponed

Regional meetings that were set to be held in Atlantic on Wednesday, May 18 and Fort Dodge on Thursday, May 19 have been postponed until a later date.

May 13, 2022

Status Quo at the Legislature as 2022 Session Continues

There was no action in either the House or the Senate this week as policymakers continue working behind the scenes to find agreements on significant policy issues before adjournment.

May 6, 2022

Federal Spotlight: USDOJ Launches Environmental Justice Office

This week, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the Justice Department will have a new Office of Environmental Justice.

May 6, 2022

Iowa Legislature Holds Inaugural Slow-pitch Softball Game for Charity

Republicans and Democrats held their first annual slow-pitch softball game this past Sunday.

May 6, 2022

Des Moines Regional Meeting Postponed Due to Session Timeline

The first of five ABI public policy regional meetings, which was set to be held in Des Moines on May 11, is getting moved to a later date.

May 6, 2022

The 2022 Legislative Session Will Continue into Next Week

The Iowa Legislature took relatively little public action this week as leaders in the House, Senate and Gov. Kim Reynolds continue to negotiate on issues that must be addressed before the session adjourns.

Apr 29, 2022

HF 2198 - Minimum Age at Child Care Centers & Child Care Ratios

Another bill that is awaiting Gov. Reynolds’ signature is HF 2198, which combines two pieces of legislation tied to child care into one.

Apr 29, 2022

ABI Priority Heads to Governor Reynolds

This was a significant week for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) as the Legislature passed unemployment insurance tax reform, which is ABI’s top legislative priority for 2022.

Apr 29, 2022

Additional Workforce Bill Passes

The Legislature also passed and sent another key workforce bill, which ABI supports, to Governor Reynolds for her signature this week.

Apr 29, 2022

HF 2128 - Biofuels Legislation Heads to the Governor’s Desk

This week, both chambers of the legislature passed a bill that requires E-15 to be sold at gas stations across the state by the beginning of 2026.

Apr 29, 2022

Governor Signs a Significant Number of Bills into Law

Last Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds put her signature on several bills that were previously approved by the Legislature.

Apr 29, 2022

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs On to Letter Supporting House’s Version of the America COMPETES Act

ABI has joined the National Association of Manufacturers and the Consumer Brands Association.

Apr 22, 2022

Iowa Unemployment Rate Continues Decline

Iowa Workforce Development announced last week that the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3% for the month of March.

Apr 22, 2022

Sustainable Materials Management Meeting to be Held Next Month

The next stakeholder meeting for the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Initiative will take place in person on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in West Des Moines.

Apr 22, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Biden Administration Announces Reinstatement of Stricter Environmental Rules for Permitting of Projects

A final rule issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality targets three areas of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Apr 22, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Finkenauer to Appear on June Primary Ballot after Iowa Supreme Court Ruling

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last Friday that former Congresswoman and former State House Rep. Abby Finkenauer can remain on the June Democratic primary ballot as a candidate for U.S. Senate. 

Apr 22, 2022

Legislature Heads into Overtime as 100th Day Passes

The second session of the 89th Iowa General Assembly will continue into next week and likely beyond.

Apr 14, 2022

Week 14 Update: Bottle Bill

The Iowa Senate passed this bill two weeks ago, but on Tuesday, the House passed a strikeafter amendment to SF 2378 and ultimately approved the legislation 73-17.

Apr 14, 2022

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation

ABI staff continues to work with members of the Senate on legislation to reform the relationship between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the pharmacies they reimburse for prescriptions filled for participants in ABI member employee health plans.

Apr 14, 2022

Tax Reform 2.0

Both the House and Senate are moving separate bills with many important pieces of tax policy that were not considered when the larger tax cut bill was passed earlier this year.

Apr 14, 2022

Week 14 Update: Renewable Fuels Bill

HF 2128 requires gas stations to advertise for sale and sell E15 gasoline.

Apr 14, 2022

Federal Spotlight: President Joe Biden Touts E15 in Iowa Visit

President Joe Biden traveled to Iowa Tuesday and visited POET Bioprocessing to advocate for ethanol.

Apr 14, 2022

District Court Rules Finkenauer Ineligible for U.S. Senate Democratic Primary

Late Sunday, Polk County District Judge Scott Beattie ruled that former Congresswoman and former State House Rep. Abby Finkenauer was ineligible to be on the Democratic primary ballot for U.S. Senate.

Apr 14, 2022

Week 14 Update: Catalytic Convertors

Another issue that ABI is following relates to catalytic converter theft.

Apr 14, 2022

Week 14 Update: Unemployment Insurance

ABI’s top public policy priority this session is workforce, and HF 2355 is legislation that will bolster Iowa’s workforce by transforming our unemployment insurance system into a re-employment system.

Apr 14, 2022

Week 14 Update: The Budget

The House has passed all nine budget bills which means they’re currently in the Senate.

Apr 7, 2022

House Advances Budget Bills

The Iowa House has passed all nine budget bills out of its full chamber.

Apr 7, 2022

Status of ABI Workforce Priorities – Governor’s Workforce Bills

As the Iowa legislative session draws to a close, the Iowa House and Iowa Senate are moving significant pieces of workforce legislation that contain key ABI public policy priorities.

Apr 7, 2022

Pharmacy Benefits Manager Bill Remains Under Consideration in Iowa Senate

For many weeks, the legislature has considered legislation to regulate the relationship between local independent pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Apr 7, 2022

Tax Exemption on Aircraft Repair Parts and Labor Lands on Governor Reynolds’ Desk

After years in a holding pattern, the legislature has acted on SF 2370, which is a bill that would lift the taxes currently collected on repair parts and labor for general aviation airplanes.

Apr 7, 2022

Iowa Supreme Court Ruling on Work Comp Shoulder Case

The Iowa Supreme Court recently released a pair of rulings dealing with the interpretation of “shoulder” in the 2017 legislation that ABI spearheaded, which made a shoulder injury a scheduled injury. 

Apr 7, 2022

$100 Million Investment to Promote Iowa

This week, Gov. Reynolds announced an investment of $100 million for Destination Iowa.

Apr 7, 2022

Opportunity to Submit Agenda Items for Air Quality Meeting

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau is giving stakeholders the opportunity to submit agenda items for the next client contact meeting.

Mar 31, 2022

Absentee Ballot Request Period Opens

This week, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced that the absentee ballot request period for the upcoming primary election is now underway.

Mar 31, 2022

Unemployment Rate Continues to Decline

Iowa’s unemployment rate fell again for the second month in a row.

Mar 31, 2022

Week 12 of the Iowa Legislature

The Iowa legislature just finished its 12th week under the golden dome, and lawmakers are continuing to advance legislation.

Mar 31, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Biden’s Budget Proposal via Axios Article

President Joe Biden recently released a $5.8 trillion budget proposal.

Mar 31, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Deloitte Insights - Manufacturing Institute Survey Highlights

A new report released by the Manufacturing Institute (MI) and Deloitte show the perceptions of manufacturing jobs have improved over the last several years.

Mar 25, 2022

Iowa House and Senate Approve Versions of Unemployment Insurance Reform

On Wednesday, both the House and Senate passed historic legislation that will modernize and transform Iowa’s unemployment insurance system into a re-employment system.

Mar 25, 2022

HF 2384: Pharmacy Benefit Managers

This Tuesday, ABI asked members to contact their legislators and request they oppose language in HF 2384, commonly known as the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) bill, and the amendment legislators were also considering.

Mar 25, 2022

HF 2200: Direct Health Care Agreements

The Iowa Senate passed a bill this week on a 33-16 vote to allow unregulated direct health care agreements to be sold between a provider and a patient, or the patient’s representative.

Mar 25, 2022

Second Tax Bill Passes Senate

Mar 25, 2022

School to Work Bill Advances House Ways and Means

ABI is supportive of the school-to-work initiative outlined in Gov. Kim Reynolds’ comprehensive workforce package.

Mar 25, 2022

EPA Proposes Good Neighbor Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed a “Good Neighbor” Plan to set NOx emissions standards and limitations on power plants and industrial sources across 23 covered states starting in 2026.

Mar 25, 2022

SCOTUS Nominee Hearings Took Place This Week

The U.S. Senate held confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who President Joe Biden has nominated to fill the seat of Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer.

Mar 17, 2022

ABI Attends Fairfield Little Achievers Groundbreaking

The new center, once built, will be over 14,000 square feet. 

Mar 17, 2022

Federal Spotlight: President Biden Signs Executive Order on Digital Assets

President Joe Biden recently signed an Executive Order related to digital assets.

Mar 17, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Afghanistan and Ukraine TPS Eligibility

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this week that Afghanistan would be designated for Temporary Protected Status for the next year and a half.

Mar 17, 2022

Iowa Senate Adopts Resolution for Ukraine

Iowa has a sister-state relationship with Chekasy Oblast, which was established in 1996 under former Gov. Terry Branstad.

Mar 17, 2022

Iowa Unemployment Rate Drops in January

This latest unemployment rate is slightly below the national unemployment rate for January, which increased to 4.0%. 

Mar 17, 2022

Senate Introduces and Advances Second Major Tax Bill

The bill lowers franchise and premium taxes on banks and insurance companies. 

Mar 17, 2022

School to Work Initiative Moving Forward

The legislation would allow for the certification of a non-school individual to lead the program after pledging to complete a rudimentary training program, thus removing the program from the heavy workload of local school staff. 

Mar 17, 2022

Pharmacy Benefits Management Bill Remains Under Consideration - Threatens Huge Cost Increases to Employee Health Plans

ABI has registered against the bill (SF 2231/HF 2384) as introduced because many of the cost controls currently used would be eliminated. 

Mar 17, 2022

Week 10: What Bills Survived Second Funnel?

ABI’s public policy staff rounded up a list of bills the team has tracked this session and we've provided an update on the status of those bills.

Mar 10, 2022

Share Your Input on the State Transportation and Freight Plans

ABI members can provide input on the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)’s State Transportation Plan and State Freight Plan

Mar 10, 2022

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs on to Letter Opposing COVID-19 Presumption

ABI recently joined more than 40 business and industry organizations from across the country and signed a letter opposing the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ COVID-19 Compensation Act of 2021.

Mar 10, 2022

Federal Spotlight: ABI Signs on to Letter Supporting the Reauthorization of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill

ABI signed a letter spearheaded by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) that urges Congress to add the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill in the final product that joins the United States Innovation and Competition Act with the America COMPETES Act.

Mar 10, 2022

Week 9: Key Bills ABI Continues to Track

ABI’s public policy team continues to track bills that are of interest to members and related to business and industry as lawmakers advance legislation out of their committees and chambers.

Mar 10, 2022

Manufacturing 4.0 Updates

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have awarded $20 million in Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation grants.

Mar 3, 2022

Week 8 of Iowa Legislature: Key Bills

ABI’s public policy team continues to track bills that are of interest to members and related to business and industry as lawmakers advance legislation out of their committees and chambers.

Mar 3, 2022

Federal Spotlight: White House Task Force Worker Organizing and Empowerment Releases Report

This month, the White House’s Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment published a report that addresses recommendations to promote worker organizing and collective bargaining for federal employees, as well as public and private-sector workers.

Feb 24, 2022

Tax Reform Bill Awaits Governor’s Approval

In a fast-moving agreement between Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Iowa House and Iowa Senate, lawmakers took legislative action on a sweeping tax reduction and reform proposal.

Feb 24, 2022

Changes to DNR Permitting Notification Passes Iowa Senate

Public notice provisions for general permit activities from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would change under SF2311.

Feb 24, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Gov. Kim Reynolds Set to Deliver GOP Response to President Biden’s State of the Union Address

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will deliver the Republican Address to the Nation in response to President Biden’s State of the Union address scheduled on Tuesday, March 1. 

Feb 18, 2022

Iowa Legislature Reaches First Major Deadline - House Passes Tax Bill

Two key developments tied to ABI’s public policy priorities emerged under the golden dome this week. Senate lawmakers passed the comprehensive re-employment and tort reform package out of the Senate Commerce Committee this week, and the full Iowa House chamber debated and passed its tax reform bill, HF 2317, with bipartisan support. 

Feb 18, 2022

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst Leads American Small Business Competition Act

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst announced her new efforts this week to help agriculture and manufacturing businesses in an effort called the American Small Business Competition Act.

Feb 17, 2022

Key Bills ABI is Tracking as the Iowa Legislature Reaches Its First Deadline

Below is a list of bills ABI’s public policy team has been tracking that are of interest to members. The Iowa Legislature's first deadline is Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.

Feb 17, 2022

Senate and House Republicans Unveil FY23 Budget Proposals

Republicans from the Iowa Senate and Iowa House have presented their budget proposals for FY23.

Feb 10, 2022

Re-Employment and Tort Legislation Passes Senate Subcommittee

Turning Iowa’s unemployment system into a re-employment system remains ABI’s top priority this legislative session.

Feb 4, 2022

Activity Continues This Week with Efforts to Reform and Reduce Taxes

The House and Senate Tax Committees scheduled time this week to consider their respective tax bills in full committee.

Feb 4, 2022

Week of February 4: Other Bills of Interest to ABI Members

In addition to priority legislation, ABI is tracking several pieces of legislation that would affect members.

Feb 4, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Attracting Employees to Manufacturing Careers

The labor shortage will continue with very minimal growth each year between 2024 to 2031, according to ABI's partner, the National Association of Manufacturers.

Feb 3, 2022

The House Advances ABI’s Top Legislative Priority in Unemployment Insurance Reform

This week, the House Labor Committee approved HSB 631, which is a comprehensive workforce bill that aims to return Iowans who are without employment back to the workforce more quickly.

Jan 28, 2022

December Unemployment Rate Update

Iowa’s unemployment rate decreased in December to 3.5%, according to the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD).

Jan 28, 2022

OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 Vax-or-Test Mandate

Jan 27, 2022

Employment Legislation Under Consideration at the Capitol

Read more details about employment legislation that is under consideration at the Capitol.

Jan 27, 2022

Governor, Senate and House Republicans all Unveil Significant Tax Cuts & Reform Package - A Comparison

This week saw the emergence of tax reform and reduction plans from Governor Reynolds, and the majority Republicans in both the House and Senate.

Jan 20, 2022

SF 496: Prohibition of Low Wage Noncompete Agreements

ABI members may remember public policy staff reports last year of non-compete agreements legislation moving in the Iowa Senate.

Jan 20, 2022

SF 355: Employer Providing Employee a Copy of Personnel File

A bill the Senate State Government Committee passed last year, but was ultimately referred back to committee was SF 355.

Jan 20, 2022

Governor Unveils Tax Bill

On Wednesday January 19, 2022 Governor Reynold’s tax reform plan that she announced last week was officially introduced in the legislature.

Jan 20, 2022

Federal Spotlight: Funding for Iowa Bridges

Iowa is expected to receive $86.4 million from the recent infrastructure law.

Jan 14, 2022

The 2022 Legislative Session is Underway, ABI Priorities Highlighted

On Monday, January 10, the 2022 Iowa legislative session convened.

Jan 14, 2022

JD Davis Speaks at Business Record’s 2022 Legislative Forecast Event

ABI Vice President of Public Policy JD Davis was a panelist for a Business Record Legislative Preview that took place on Tuesday.

Jan 14, 2022

Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Air Quality Electronic Submittal Rule

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau is requesting comment from stakeholders concerning electronic submittals.

Jan 14, 2022

Iowa Businesses Against Human Trafficking (IBAT)

Secretary of State (SOS) Paul Pate announced on Thursday a new coalition that is aimed at getting business and industry more involved with the goal of eradicating human trafficking in Iowa.

Jan 14, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate for Private Employers

The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s vaccine mandate for private workplaces with 100 employees or more and weekly testing of the workers who do not comply.

Jan 7, 2022

Iowa Legislature Convenes on Monday

The second session of the 89th Iowa General Assembly will begin on Monday.

Jan 7, 2022

Plethora of Announcements Made this Week Concerning Statewide Races

2022 is an election year and with that being said, multiple candidates made significant waves this week with announcements concerning their campaigns for statewide office.

Jan 7, 2022

Governor Announces Broadband Award Recipients

On Tuesday, Governor Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) announced over $200 million in awards for industry seeking to implement broadband infrastructure across the state.

Jan 7, 2022

Air Quality Bureau Proposes Fees Remain the Same for FY23

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau held a joint fee advisory group meeting on Wednesday with the purpose of reviewing and discussing the budget proposal and air quality fees for Fiscal Year 2023.

Jan 7, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Biden Vaccinate or Test Mandate Challenge

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments from both sides on the appropriateness of two of the Biden Administration's vaccine mandates.