Legislative News

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

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 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.

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

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

Future Ready Iowa Appropriation Legislation Introduced

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

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

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. 

Jan 31, 2019

Employment Bills Receive Hearings

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

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.

Nov 21, 2018

Iowa Unemployment Rate Hits Historic Low

Iowa Workforce Development announced last Friday that Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.4 percent for the month of October, which ties the lowest percentage rate on record.

Nov 8, 2018

From IWD: IowaWORKS Centers Host National Apprenticeship Week Events

Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Economic Development Authority have partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship to grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Iowa.

Oct 25, 2018

ABI Workforce Housing Survey

Workforce housing is part of ABI’s 2019 legislative priorities, and the governor and lieutenant governor are also investigating the lack of workforce housing as part of the Empower Rural Iowa Initiative.

Oct 18, 2018

Deadline to Apply for Registered Apprenticeship Funding is Friday, Oct. 26

With workforce a top priority for businesses across the state, Iowa Workforce Development announced organizations have until 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 to submit proposals to receive funding to grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Iowa.

Oct 18, 2018

News Release: Iowa Students, Teachers Benefit from STEM

On Tuesday, the Iowa STEM Advisory Council, co-chaired by ABI board member Roger Hargens (Accu-Mold), released an independent evaluation that measures the council’s progress toward increasing student interest and achievement in STEM education and workforce development in Iowa. 

Sep 27, 2018

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate is Second Lowest in Nation

Iowa Workforce Development announced last week the state’s unemployment rate has hit 2.5%, which puts Iowa second to Hawaii in lowest unemployment rate in the country.

Sep 27, 2018

Iowa Healthcare Innovation and Visioning Roundtable Recommendations Presented

The Iowa Healthcare Innovation Workgroup, which ABI has participated in, gave its recommendations to Gov. Reynolds on Thursday morning at the Iowa Capitol.

Sep 13, 2018

Unemployment Tax Tables Unchanged for 2019

Iowa Workforce Development announced last week the unemployment tax rate table for eligible employers will remain the same going into 2019.

Aug 30, 2018

Members of Work-Based Learning Advisory Board Unveiled

ABI President Mike Ralston and several ABI members—along with non-profit organization employees, educators, elected officials and students—were selected by Gov. Reynolds to serve on a clearinghouse advisory board. 

Aug 30, 2018

IWD Rules Noticed

The Iowa Department of Workforce Development has proposed new rules touching on unemployment benefits.

Aug 23, 2018

Iowa's Unemployment Rate Drops to 18-year Low

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent in July—the second lowest in the nation, tied with North Dakota. 

Aug 2, 2018

IWD Seeks Feedback on Seasonal Employment

Iowa Workforce Development has distributed a survey to labor, construction and business organizations to gather feedback from employees about whether or not they work in a seasonal industry. 

Jul 19, 2018

Sign Up for Future Ready Iowa Regional Summits

Gov. Reynolds announced on Wednesday that registration is open for Future Ready Iowa Regional Summits. 

Jul 12, 2018

ABI Participates in IWD Stakeholder Meeting Concerning Temporary Layoffs

Iowa Workforce Development has started to gather stakeholder input on addressing the issue of seasonal employment, temporary layoffs and how unemployment for temporary layoffs, as currently defined, affects the unemployment trust fund and tax tables.

Jul 5, 2018

Job and Injury Benefits Increase

Iowa Workforce Development announced maximum weekly benefits paid to jobless Iowans and to workers injured on the job will increase July 1, 2018, due to an increase in wages covered by unemployment insurance.

Jun 21, 2018

Iowa State Supreme Court Expands Common Law Retaliatory Discharge

The Iowa Supreme Court ruling on a former Iowa Workforce Development judge’s wrongful termination suit against the Department of Iowa Workforce Development and its former Director Theresa Walhert could have a broad impact on Iowa employers. 

Jun 14, 2018

IWD Rules Final, Changes to Severance Made

Members of the ABI public policy team attended the Administrative Rules Review Committee on Tuesday.

May 24, 2018

Iowa Workforce Development Files Final Rule, Removes New Severance Definition

ABI members expressed concerns over the proposed definition.

May 24, 2018

Iowa Makes Push to Hire More Veterans

Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg unveiled a new initiative to hire more veterans in Iowa during their weekly press conference.

May 10, 2018

Amicus Briefs of Note for Business

ABI recently joined the Iowa Defense Counsel Association and the Iowa Insurance Institute to ensure the voice of business is heard in a district court appeal in Poweshiek County.

Apr 26, 2018

ABI Comments on Multiple Employer Health Plan

The Iowa Insurance Division put out a request for comment on SF 2349 as passed and signed into law earlier this month.

Apr 26, 2018

Expansive Medical Cannabis Legislation Passes Senate Committee

This week, members of the Iowa Senate Ways and Means Committee passed SF 2372, which would eliminate the THC limit for cannabidiol and expands the list of medical conditions eligible for cannabidiol. 

Apr 5, 2018

Governor Reynolds Signs Future Ready Iowa Act; Summit Deemed a Success

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed ABI’s top legislative priority—workforce—into law at the conclusion of the Future Ready Iowa Summit on Tuesday. 

Apr 5, 2018

Iowa Workforce Development Proposes Employment Policy Changes

Iowa Workforce Development is proposing a change to the definition of severance in the Iowa Administrative Code. 

Mar 29, 2018

Iowa Receives Federal Funding to Grow Registered Apprenticeships

The state of Iowa has been awarded $1 million by the Department of Labor to expand registered apprenticeship programs.

Mar 29, 2018

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Remains Low

The unemployment rate for the state of Iowa continues to remain among the lowest in the nation at 2.9 percent for the month of February.

Mar 22, 2018

ABI #1 Priority Issue Heads to Governor’s Desk

The Future Ready Iowa Act has passed both the House and Senate unanimously and will be sent to Gov. Reynolds.

Mar 22, 2018

Alcohol Testing Bill Passes Senate

An ABI-supported bill that will clear up a gray area in Iowa law regarding testing for alcohol passed the Iowa Senate 44-5 and now goes to the Governor.

Mar 15, 2018

A Bill Related to Workforce–ABI’s Top Priority–Passes House

HF 2458, the Future Ready Iowa bill introduced by the Governor and floor managed by Rep. Peter Cownie, passed unanimously out of the House chamber this week.

Mar 8, 2018

Association Health Plan Bills Debated

The Senate passed two bills this week aimed at providing additional options for more affordable health insurance in Iowa.

Mar 1, 2018

Federal Workforce Conformity Bill Moves Forward

The Senate passed SF 2353, a bill to conform Iowa with the federal requirements in the Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act (WIOA), by a vote of 48-2 on Wednesday. 

Feb 8, 2018

ABI President Speaks in Favor of Future Ready Iowa

A five-member subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee heard from ABI President Mike Ralston on Thursday.

Feb 1, 2018

Iowa Workforce Development Presents to House Committee

Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend and her senior leadership team presented to the House Labor Committee on Monday afternoon. 

Feb 1, 2018

Employment Legislation Advances in House and Senate

The House Labor Committee on Wednesday advanced legislation that will clarify that employers who provide their employees with access to electronic pay stubs are in compliance with the Iowa code. 

Jan 25, 2018

Governor’s Future Ready Iowa Legislation Introduced

The Iowa Senate on Thursday introduced SSB 3087, the Governor’s Future Ready Iowa legislation. 

Dec 14, 2017

2018 Legislative Session Issue Preview: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

Each year ABI works to defend the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, an account funded by employers used to pay unemployment benefits to unemployed Iowa workers who lose their job through no fault of their own.

Dec 7, 2017

Final 2018 Priority and Policies Now on ABI Website

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry's 2018 priority and policies are now available on ABI's website.

Dec 7, 2017

Invest in the Iowans For Jobs Initiative Today

One way your company can help ABI continue our momentum is by investing in the Iowans For Jobs Initiative. 

Nov 22, 2017

Iowa Workforce Development State Board Meets

Monday, the State Workforce Development Board met in Des Moines with Gov. Reynolds and IWD Director Beth Townsend to address the board, which is newly reconstituted to comply with federal workforce law.

Nov 16, 2017

ABI Members Establish Apprenticeship Programs

During their weekly press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg announced that ABI member companies Wells Fargo and Tyson Foods now have registered apprenticeship programs.

Nov 9, 2017

Computer Science Recommendations Released

A group that included legislators, community colleges, college professors, school administrators, teachers, representatives of school boards and technology companies recently released a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing computer science education in school districts across Iowa.

Nov 9, 2017

Apprenticeship Week is Next Week

Registered Apprenticeship Appreciation and Awareness Week will be Nov. 13–17. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation on Nov. 2 to highlight the importance of registered apprenticeship training.

Nov 2, 2017

Opportunity to Comment on Future Ready Iowa Recommendations

The public has the opportunity to comment on each recommendation.

Oct 26, 2017

Work Comp Rules Proposed

Oct 19, 2017

Future Ready Iowa Alliance Releases Recommendations

Members of the Future Ready Iowa Alliance, co-chaired by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Principal CEO Dan Houston, met Tuesday, Oct. 17 to discuss and vote on final recommendations. 

Oct 5, 2017

Interim Study Committee on Opioid Epidemic to Meet

Members of ABI’s Workplace and Product Safety Committee added policy the last two years during the policy development process to address the opioid epidemic taking place around the country and specifically in Iowa.

Sep 21, 2017

2018 Legislative Priority: Workforce

ABI public policy staff unveiled the 2018 Legislative Priority at the Advanced Manufacturing Conference Wednesday.

Sep 14, 2017

Administrative Rules Review Committee Meets

The Administrative Rules Review Committee met on Tuesday and discussed several rules that ABI is tracking.

Sep 14, 2017

Audit of Workforce Development Finds Deficiencies

The Office of Auditor of State recently conducted an audit of the Iowa Workforce Development Department and made recommendations the department should follow to enhance efficiencies in the department. 

Aug 17, 2017

ABI member participation needed: Iowa Workforce Development Board

Jul 27, 2017

Iowa Senators review pension system

As a legislative pension year approaches, a group of Senators met Tuesday, July 25 to hear about the status of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS), which is the pension system for most state employees. Donna Mueller, the CEO of the system gave an overview of the history of IPERS and some of the market driven and legislative changes that have taken place to IPERS. 

Jul 20, 2017

Participation opportunity: Board of Regents announces tuition task force meetings

The Board of Regents Tuition Task Force has announced dates and times for four public stakeholder meetings.

Jun 22, 2017

Committee spotlight: Employment and Workforce

Leading up to our ABI policy committee meetings in late summer, we will highlight each of ABI’s five policy committees, so you know more about the mission and purview of each committee. These committees steer the direction of ABI’s policy agenda each legislative session.

Jun 22, 2017

Federal Spotlight: Townsend attends apprenticeship discussion at White House

Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend attended a roundtable discussion at the White House last Thursday to discussing expanding registered apprenticeship programs.

May 25, 2017

Workforce Development drafts unemployment rules

Iowa Workforce Development has drafted rules to implement legislation passed in 2017.

May 4, 2017

Workers’ compensation rates decrease due to reform legislation

The National Council on Compensation Insurance this week proposed lowering the workers’ compensation rate in Iowa.

Apr 6, 2017

Workforce Development bills head to Gov. Branstad

Bills continue to move at the Capitol as we enter what is expected to be the home stretch of the legislative session.

Mar 30, 2017

Workers’ compensation passes Iowa Senate, to be signed by governor

Mar 30, 2017

Thank your legislators for supporting workers’ compensation bill

The passage of workers’ compensation reform (HF 518) is a major legislative accomplishment for ABI members, and it couldn’t have happened without our allies in the Iowa Legislature. It is important to thank them for their support of this and other ABI priorities.

Mar 30, 2017

Statewide employment uniformity legislation passes Senate

Mar 30, 2017

Workforce Development bills advance

The Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday advanced three bills filed by Iowa Workforce Development.

Mar 23, 2017

Unemployment bills pass the House

Creating a more competitive business climate is a priority for ABI this legislative session. Two pro-jobs bills advanced out of the House this week.

Mar 23, 2017

Workforce development conformity bill advances

Feb 23, 2017

Iowa Workforce Development employment bills introduced

Legislation brought forward by Iowa Workforce Development was introduced Wednesday in the Iowa House.

Feb 9, 2017

Collective bargaining reform introduced

Feb 9, 2017

Wage preemption bill introduced

Feb 9, 2017

Workforce discussed at Capitol

This week, workforce was a topic of discussion in several meetings.

Feb 9, 2017

Computer science bill advances

Feb 2, 2017

Iowa Senate introduces E-Verify

Jan 26, 2017

Drug testing reform bill moves forward

Jan 26, 2017

Future Ready Iowa website launches

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the new Future Ready Iowa website on Monday.

Jan 5, 2017

Future Ready Iowa Alliance meets, ABI members lead

The second meeting of the Future Ready Iowa Alliance met Tuesday to hear about upskilling Iowa’s workers.

Jan 5, 2017

Iowa Workforce pre-files unemployment legislation

Iowa Workforce Development has pre-filed legislation that would increase the amount an individual would have to make in order to be eligible to receive benefits in the next benefit year.

Dec 8, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development proposes appeal changes

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) has proposed rules that would change the way unemployment hearings are conducted.

Dec 8, 2016

Benefits and costs of apprenticeships highlighted in new study

A new study by Case Western Reserve University and the U.S. Department of Commerce highlights the benefits and costs of apprenticeships from a business perspective.

Nov 17, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development Board meets

The Iowa Workforce Development Board, chaired by ABI Board Member John Krogman, is currently meeting to consider many items.

Nov 3, 2016

First Future Ready Iowa Alliance meeting brings together leaders

Nov 3, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development names Myron Linn as new Deputy Director

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) has hired Myron Linn as the agency’s new deputy director.

Nov 3, 2016

Iowa’s unemployment rate remains steady

Iowa Workforce Development has announced that the unemployment rate for September remains unchanged at 4.2 percent.

Oct 27, 2016

IWD awarded $1.8M federal apprenticeship grant

The Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) agency has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to fund the Innovative Opportunities with Apprenticeships (IOWA) project.

Oct 27, 2016

Future Ready Iowa Alliance sets membership and first Meeting

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Director of Iowa Workforce Development Beth Townsend announced that the Future Ready Iowa Alliance membership has been set and will meet for the first time at noon on Friday at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens.

Oct 20, 2016

Career and technical education draft rules comments due Friday

Oct 6, 2016

Federal Spotlight: U.S. Chamber issues career readiness report

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently issued a report on Career Readiness and a Business Led approach for supporting K-12 schools.

Sep 1, 2016

Governor signs executive order creating Future Ready Iowa Alliance

Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday signed an executive order creating the Future Ready Alliance tasked with the goal of 70 percent of Iowa’s graduates having education and training beyond high school by the year 2025.

Aug 25, 2016

Irving unemployment state Supreme Court case petition denied

Aug 25, 2016

Latest STEM report shows positive results

A new report from the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council shows that efforts to generate a greater understanding of and enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among K-12 students is paying off. 

Aug 18, 2016

Workers’ compensation rate decrease proposed

The Iowa Insurance Division provided notice of proposed filing for workers’ compensation insurance rates for 2017.

Aug 4, 2016

ABI monitors Polk County minimum wage task force

A 13-member task force looking at raising the minimum wage in Polk County met Monday, and agreed to recommend a three year stair-stepped minimum wage increase to $10.75 by 2019. 

Jul 21, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development board meets

The Iowa Workforce Development Board is meeting in Ottumwa today. The board has a full agenda including an update on the Department of Labor’s approval of the state implementation plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Jul 14, 2016

ABI participates in IWD committee on minority employment

ABI participated on Monday as a key stakeholder in an Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) meeting convened by IWD Director Beth Townsend about ways to address minority unemployment, connecting minority communities to available jobs, increasing diversity in the workplace and bridging the skills gap.

Jul 14, 2016

Learn about DOL rule changes at July 28 meeting

An event highlighting the impact of recent federal overtime rule changes on employers will take place in Marshalltown, July 28.

Jun 23, 2016

Local minimum wage talks in spotlight

More counties in Iowa are considering an increase to their local minimum wage.

Jun 23, 2016

Workforce Information Advisory Council to meet

The Workforce Information Advisory Council (WIAC) will hold its inaugural meeting on July 13 and 14 at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Training and Conference Center in Washington, DC.

Jun 9, 2016

Iowa Supreme Court rules on unemployment, workers’ compensation and products liability

Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court issued three decisions affecting employers and manufacturers.

Jun 2, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development bill signed into law

May 26, 2016

Branstad signs workforce education bill

May 19, 2016

Overtime rule finalized, employer costs to increase

The Department of Labor finalized its proposed overtime rule relating to exempt and non-exempt employees on Wednesday, with a large increase to the salary but no change to the duties test.

May 12, 2016

IWD board meeting update

The Iowa Workforce Development Board met today to consider a number of matters important to Iowa businesses.

Apr 21, 2016

Discussions on medical marijuana taking place

The Iowa Legislature is considering legislation that would expand the existing cannabidiol act in Iowa to include additional medical conditions.

Apr 21, 2016

IWD bill passes Senate

The Iowa Workforce Development bill that ABI has been working on since late March passed the Iowa Senate Monday on a vote of 27-23.

Apr 21, 2016

Future Ready Iowa Summit features ABI leaders

Business, education and civic leaders from across Iowa gathered Tuesday for the Future Ready Iowa Summit, an event focused on addressing Iowa’s skills gap and workforce challenges.

Apr 14, 2016

Iowa Workforce Development bill advances

Apr 14, 2016

Career and Technical Education Bill passes Senate

House File 2392 was amended and passed by the Iowa Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 50-0. The legislation was supported by many stakeholders and was the outcome of a 20-month legislatively-directed task force.

Apr 7, 2016

Iowa Senate considers workforce bill

Mar 24, 2016

Senate introduces workforce bill

Mar 3, 2016

Iowa Senate approves another employer mandate

The Iowa Senate on Wednesday approved SF 2252 by a vote of 28-22. The bill requires employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Mar 3, 2016

Iowa Workforce Board decides not to recover UC overpayments

The Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Board has decided to forgive the beneficiaries of overpayments that were made in error two years ago.

Mar 3, 2016

CTE bill receives consideration

The Iowa House on Thursday passed HF 2392 to modernize Iowa’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Feb 25, 2016

Ban the Box ad wage discrimination debate delayed

Feb 25, 2016

Iowa Workforce Board to discuss overpayments at Friday meeting

Members of the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Board will meet Friday at the Capitol to discuss many items, including an unfortunate error made in 2014 related to the payment of unemployment compensation benefits by IWD.

Feb 25, 2016

Senate passes health care mandate expansion

Feb 18, 2016

Career and Technical Education moves forward

Feb 18, 2016

Senate Labor Committee advances anti-employer billls

The Senate Labor Committee has advanced two bills that would create a burden on employers. 

Feb 11, 2016

Appropriations Committee hears from Iowa Workforce Development

The joint House and Senate Economic Development Appropriations Committee received a presentation by the Iowa Workforce Development Director on Tuesday.

Feb 11, 2016

Future Ready Iowa Summit to address skills gap

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday announced an upcoming summit to discuss ways to address Iowa’s skills gap.

Feb 4, 2016

Federal Spotlight: More federal employee reporting requirements proposed

ABI’s federal partner, the National Association of Manufacturers has provided information regarding another anti-employer proposal released by President Obama’s administration.

Feb 4, 2016

Employers on defense at the Capitol

Although it was a short week due to the Iowa caucuses and inclement weather, the Iowa Legislature wasted no time meeting about issues that will negatively affect businesses’ bottom lines. From health care mandates to additional exposure to lawsuits, proposals in both the House and Senate will increase the cost of doing business in Iowa.

Jan 21, 2016

'Ban the Box' discussion begins

Subcommittee members of the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee met Tuesday to discuss preventing employers from asking an applicant on the initial application about his/her criminal background, an initiative commonly known as “ban the box."