Week 10!
Week 10 is through and we’ve had an interesting week. I’ve filed, and am on the ballot, to represent the new Iowa House District 23 [visit VoteBubba.com to see the exact District 23 lines]. If you live within those district lines I hope to earn your support and vote. I was glad to have the whole fam along when I filed, and we kinda invaded the SOS office. The kids had a blast and are learning a bit of civics first hand.
This week was also the final date for Senate bills and joint resolutions to be reported out of House and House bills and joint resolutions out of Senate committees. Next week we (House) will only consider Senate bills, joint resolutions, and unfinished business and they will do the same with ours.
A chunk of non-con bills also passed in the House, including the Cybersecurity bill that I ran out of IT committee which establishes consumers rights over their personal data, including the ability to see what data a company has collected about them. Additionally, it would give consumers the right to delete any personal data they have provided the company. It also would set parameters on how companies can handle and use the data they collect on consumers and sets penalties for businesses that violate the law and consumers privacy.
We also passed three pieces of legislation to increase Iowans’ access to mental health care. House File 2529 appropriates funding for 12 new psychiatry residencies at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). The residencies will prioritize Iowans in the application process. House File 2549 establishes a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for Iowans that agree to practice in Iowa for at least five years. House File 2546 requires Iowa Medicaid to establish a rate for psychiatric intensive care in Iowa. This will ensure that the health care professionals providing care for the most difficult mental health patients are being compensated appropriately.
The State Government Committee passed legislation to provide protections for landowners negotiating with CO2 pipeline projects in Iowa. The current language states that pipelines cannot seek or use eminent domain before March 1, 2023. At this time, the Legislature will be back in session and prepared to take further action if necessary. The goal is to allow landowners and pipeline builders to negotiate on a level playing field, without the threat of eminent domain being abused. Private property rights work both ways – for landowners who want to do business with pipelines and for those that don’t. We believe this compromise respects the rights of both sides.
Recently, House File 2527 moved out of House Economic Growth Committee. This bill is the Governor’s workforce bill and includes many provisions related to Iowa veterans. The goal of this bill is to make Iowa the best place for veterans to live and work following their service. The bill includes the following: Professional licensing of military spouses – Division IV requires licensing boards to establish a procedure to expedite the licensing of a person married to an active-duty member of the military. Professional licensing fees – Division IV waives the licensing fees for veterans that have at least a 25% service-connected disability. EMS Certificate – Division V waives the examination fee for veterans taking the emergency medical care provider exam. Fishing and Hunting Licenses – Division VI allows all Iowa veterans to have a lifetime hunting and fishing license. Disabled veterans’ licenses – Division VII prohibits the DOT from charging fees for driver’s and motorcycle licenses to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Military Service Property Tax – under current law, veterans are entitled to a property tax exemption of $2,778 in taxable value or $1,852 for other honorably discharged veterans. Division VIII increases the exemption amount to $2,500.
To my constituents in Adair, Guthrie, Dallas and Cass, and my future constituents in Madison, Union and Clarke—thank you for your continued support and input. I can be reached at Ray.Sorensen@legis.Iowa.gov. OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN!
