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 chambers, leadership speeches, and procedural business.
Quite a few retirements are expected this year. We will highlight all retirements as they are announced and keep you apprised of any potential seat changes as we enter an election year. We await copies of today’s opening speeches and will include links in the newsletter later this week.
Opening Week
- Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver her Condition of the State speech on Tuesday at 5 p.m., January 9.
- Chief Justice Susan Christensen will deliver the Condition of the Judiciary on Wednesday at 10 a.m., January 10.
- Major General Benjamin Corell, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, will deliver the Condition of the Guard on Thursday at 10 a.m., January 11.
State Budget Outlook
The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met in December 2023 to provide an estimate of expected state revenues for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, predicting a slight decline but emphasizing a strong overall budget. Governor Reynolds is required to use this estimate as the basis for the budget she submits to the Iowa Legislature in January.
The panel estimated state revenue will be about $9.75 billion for fiscal year 2024. That would be a 1 percent drop from the previous budget year. There will be another estimated drop in fiscal year 2025, which starts on July 1, 2025. That decrease is estimated to be 1.1 percent from the current year, about $9.64 million. The continued dip in state income is largely due to a 2022 tax cut package, and Republicans have pledged to introduce further cuts this year.
The Governor will outline her budget and policy priorities in her January 9 Condition of the State address. Last year, this speech served as a road map for the activity at the Capitol and should be closely watched in order to predict the length and content of session this year. Shortly thereafter, she will release her budget proposal, and the Appropriations committees in both chambers will begin to work on the numbers in her budget with a goal of delivering a budget for her signature within the next 100 days of the legislative session.
Major Topics for 2024–First Week Agenda
Caucuses have set priorities for 2024 in their leadership addresses. At this time, we expect the 2024 session to include legislation related to income tax reform, boards and commissions alignment, and education policy.
Leadership Addresses:
- House
- Majority Leader Windschitl
- Senate
Legislative Timetable
The 2024 Iowa Legislative is slated for 100 days. The full 2024 Session Timetable is here.
