The legislature picked up the pace in week 14 as a real push toward the end of session began. The House and Senate spent extensive time on the floor, working to clear their calendars—which included several controversial...more
Bill introductions slowed to a trickle by week 13, with just a handful of days left until the end of the scheduled legislative session. Most of the work happening now is in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means...more
Week 12 brought more signs of Spring: the Pella Tulip Time Queen and her court graced the Capitol with their presence and their Dutch letters. In March Madness news, the Sweet 16 weekend kicked off with the Iowa State Cyclone...more
The first day of spring was last Tuesday, bringing new life to the Capitol in week 11. As the weather continues to warm, farmers will be eager to start planting crops; we will keep you apprised of the soil temperature in the...more
With the end of the second legislative funnel, all eyes turn to the House and Senate Unfinished Business Calendar. Starting this week, the Senate can only consider House bills, House Joint Resolutions, and Unfinished...more
Floor debate took up the majority of the time in the Capitol this week, with the House debating extensive calendars every day this week, a total of 29 bills, and the Senate debating 12 bills total on Monday and Tuesday. Three...more
Week Eight brought remarkable and historic weather, a late-night floor debate in the House, and the first bills signed by the Governor this session....more
Week 7 brought the first significant floor action of the session, with full debate calendars in both the House and Senate. In total, the House debated and approved 45 bills this week, which will now go to the Senate; the...more
The first funnel of the legislative session was a sprint to get as many bills passed through committees as possible. It was unusually busy, with more than 100 bills introduced since last Thursday, including successor bills...more
Week five of the legislative session was full of subcommittee and committee action. The first funnel is this week, Friday, February 16. A large number of bills moved forward in week five, but several key priorities have yet...more
Week four of the legislative session was action-packed. Drafters, legislators, advocates, and staff are hustling to keep up with the pace and volume of bills being introduced and moving through committees. A number of...more
After two weeks of midweek snowstorms, legislative activity returned to normal with the first “full” week at the Capitol, which included a large volume of subcommittee hearings, committee meetings, and public events filling...more
On Monday, January 15, despite the brutal cold, Republicans gathered around the state for the first indication of the Republican Party’s nominee...more
The 90th General Assembly reconvened this week for the 2024 legislative session amid a record-setting snowstorm in central Iowa. On Monday, leadership in both parties gave opening-day speeches outlining their priorities for...more
The 2024 session of the 90th General Assembly began today, Monday, January 8. All House and Senate members returned to the Capitol for the second year of the General Assembly. The day began with the opening gavel in both...more
The Revenue Estimating Conference forecasted Iowa’s revenues for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, predicting a slight decline but emphasizing a strong overall budget. Governor Kim Reynolds is required to use this estimate as the...more
Local elections were held across the state last Tuesday, including races for mayoral seats, city councils, school boards, and bond referendums. In order to be official, each county board of supervisors must certify the...more
The Iowa Boards and Commissions Review Committee (BCRC) held their final meeting this week to approve their final recommendations. The Committee submitted the Final Report with Findings & Recommendations to the Governor and...more
On Thursday, Iowans had the opportunity to provide input on the recommendations the Boards and Commissions Review Committee (BCRC) released last week. Out of 256 current boards and commissions, the BCRC recommends that 52 are...more
On Tuesday, the Boards and Commissions Review Committee (BCRC) created in the Governor’s realignment bill (Division XIX of SF5514) met to discuss and deliver their preliminary recommendations. After reviewing the...more
Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds called Iowa legislators back for a “special session” after the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a permanent injunction blocking the “fetal heartbeat” law approved during the 2018 General...more
The Iowa Legislature is not in session, but work continues in the interim – a deadlocked decision from the Iowa Supreme Court, newly elected Senate Minority Leader, and most new 2023 laws are effective July 1....more
Today, April 28, is the final day of paid work for Iowa lawmakers, their clerks, and Capitol staff. The House and Senate pages decorated boxes for the legislators they assisted this year to help them clear their desks for the...more
Week 15 was very busy at the Capitol, with bills and amendments flying back and forth between the chambers. The headline was the Senate debate Monday night, which lasted until 4:50 am the following morning. The coffee...more
Signs of spring are all around the Capitol this week: the grass is green, the Tulip Courts have graced the presence of the Capitol, and doors in the basement of the Capitol have been propped open allowing for warm fresh air...more