Two Weeks until the First Funnel of the Legislative Session; ABI Priorities Continue to Advance
February 16, 2023
Week six of the 2023 legislative session is completed, which means there are two weeks until the first legislative deadline known as the “funnel”. The first funnel is Friday, March 3rd. Most bills, excluding appropriations, ways & means and a few other types of bills, must have passed out of a full committee in either chamber in order to be eligible for further consideration this session. No bill is ever “truly dead” until the Legislature adjourns for the year as the language can be revived in budget bills or as amendments to other policy bills that are still eligible for debate. Many ABI supported bills are already funnel proof or are in a position to beat the funnel deadline. Catch up on many of the key issues we’re tracking below.
HF 161: Medical Malpractice Reform - On Thursday, Governor Reynolds signed historic tort reform legislation into law. The bill caps noneconomic damages for doctors and clinics at $1 million and imposes a $2 million cap for hospitals. The bill takes effect immediately. This is an issue that has been worked on for decades and was a key 2023 ABI priority.
- ABI position: For
SSB 1141: Drug and Alcohol Testing Reform - On Wednesday, another ABI priority bill moved through the legislative process and is now funnel proof. The Senate Workforce Committee passed legislation that would enhance Iowa’s legal climate for employers who find themselves in court over drug and alcohol testing disputes with their employees. The bill flips the burden of proof from the employer to the employee when proving an allegation, allows the employer to define what a “safety sensitive position” is within their workplace, modernizes and streamlines communication methods between employers and employees regarding testing results, imposes “reasonable” attorney fees and creates an evidentiary standard for the plaintiff to meet when attempting to prove their allegation. This legislation would bring some much needed balance into the drug and alcohol testing statute. It now heads to the Senate floor.
- ABI position: For
HSB 82/SSB 1086: Iowa Registered Apprenticeship Act - Governor Reynolds has brought forward legislation that would create an office of apprenticeship within Iowa Workforce Development. The bill also creates an Iowa apprenticeship council that would provide direction for the office of apprenticeship. It would give Iowa more flexibility when it comes to creating or expanding apprenticeships and establish a one-stop shop for employers and employees. The Senate bill moved out of committee this week and the House bill passed out of subcommittee last week.
- ABI position: For
HSB 134/SF 167: Youth Employment Opportunities Act - On Tuesday, a House subcommittee moved legislation that would modernize Iowa Chapter 92, which relates to youth employment. A significant component of the bill contains language that would expand work-based learning opportunities for students thereby exposing them to employers who are ready and willing to hire them full-time after high school. ABI and other stakeholders examined this part of the Iowa Code over the interim last year to look for ways that more opportunities could be given to younger individuals who want to become part of the workforce. We’re working with policymakers and other stakeholders to pass a commonsense bill that will open up more doors for students while also ensuring employers aren’t exposed to any new liabilities.
- ABI position: For
HSB 150/SSB 1073 - Boiler Inspection Reform - The Senate Workforce Committee and a House subcommittee approved legislation related to boiler inspections by the Labor Commissioner. The bill allows for the Labor Commissioner to grant a longer interval related to boiler inspections if certain conditions are met, which are laid out in the bill.
- ABI position: For