The Dickey Dispatch – April 17th, 2026
by Senator Adrian Dickey
Wrapping up this week, we are moving into the final stretch of the session. We continued debating throughout the week and working with the House on bills going back and forth between our chambers. With our 100-day legislative session deadline quickly approaching, we are plugging away at anything remaining.
A bill I ran on the floor on Tuesday this week is HF 2655, which clarifies traffic laws for emergency responders. This bill allows for all authorized emergency vehicles to roll through stop lights or stop signs or to exceed the speed limit, so long as it is done safely and does not recklessly endanger life or property. The very first bill that I ever ran as a Senator 6 years ago was a very similar version of this bill, however it only dealt with the first responders’ ability to drive faster than the speed limit when responding to an emergency. In my 34 years of being a volunteer firefighter, the one thing that we hear at every emergency is “what took you guys so long to get here?” When seconds matter, hopefully this change in law will allow for response times to be a few seconds faster.
Another bill passed this Thursday was SF 2490, which addresses the future of hydrogen production in Iowa. Current laws dealing with this are over 100 years old and need updated to ensure landowners are protected and properly compensated in the process of oil and gas exploration in Iowa. As hydrogen is being discovered under Iowa land, it is important that Iowans are treated fairly in these processes.
Another bill we passed this week was Senate File 2219. This ensures students who miss school for an agricultural club or event are excused from school. We have worked heavily on addressing student truancy and we understand the importance of students being in the classroom. With that being said, we also know that not everything is learned inside a classroom. The bill requires all school districts to grant an exempt absence when students are absent from school for a school-sponsored activity, like FFA. School districts are required to allow the student to make up any work they miss because of this absence. This important legislation ensures students who are interested who are getting hands-on experiences in activities like FFA are not being unfairly punished.
Tax Day was on Wednesday this week, which means it has been one year since the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 11, a constitutional amendment requiring a 2/3 majority to increase income taxes in Iowa. Since 2017, Senate Republicans have passed a number of tax relief measures to make Iowa a more affordable place for Iowans, families, and small businesses. We eliminated the inheritance tax. We eliminated taxes on retirement income. We provided relief for small businesses. On top of those reforms, we kept knocking down Iowa’s income tax rate and simplifying our tax code until we reached a 3.8 percent flat tax last year.
SJR 11 is an important measure to protect the tax cuts we have passed and ensure there is an overwhelming need before more money is taken out of the pockets of Iowans. Every session we hear from Democrats and how they hunger for even more of your hard-earned money. Senate Republicans believe SJR 11 is one of the best ways we can ensure Iowa stays as one of the lowest tax states in the country. For one year, this measure has awaited action in the Iowa House. If the House passes this before our session ends this year, the constitutional amendment would be on the ballot this coming November for Iowans to support. I hope to see the House take up this measure soon so we can get this to the voters and protect your hard-earned money!
As session starts moving towards adjournment, we begin to recognize those who will be retiring from the legislature. Although we are excited for what the future may hold, we are sad to lose some among us who have made lasting impressions on our hearts, but most importantly, our state. Everyone brings a different perspective to this line of work and that is something we are fortunate to have. With retirement resolutions being read, and speeches and thanks being given, we realize yet again how close we are to the end of the 91st General Assembly, and it is a great time to think about all we have accomplished at the Capitol together.
