Budget Bills Advance in the House

The House Appropriations Committee passed five budget bills on Tuesday, which was the 100th day of the legislative session. The committee-approved bills are:

• HF 2491 – Ag & Natural Resources
• HF 2492 – Justice Systems
• HF 2493 – Economic Development (including Iowa Workforce Development)
• HF 2494 –Transportation
• HF 2495 – Judicial

The House also released the first draft of the Standings bill, HSB 690. The Standings legislation is typically the last bill of the year and includes the salaries for state employees and remaining policy items that lobbyists and legislators are trying to get passed. The Senate released their budget targets on Tuesday night, but we have yet to see budget bills from that chamber. All of this coincides with the two chambers and the Governor’s office negotiating a tax reform package. We expect the session to continue for at least another week or two as the bodies continue to work to come to an agreement on tax reform and the budget.

Read more:

• Des Moines Register: Deal may be near on state tax cuts at Iowa Capitol
• Des Moines Register: Iowa Senate House appear close to session-ending budget deal
• The Courier: Senate Republicans issue budget targets
• Associated Press: House advances budget bills as session hits 100th day