Sheets Snapshot – March 30, 2017

I am looking forward to a break in the political climate. The stress levels have broken all records and it’s not exactly “E pluribus unum” here in Des Moines, or in Washington DC. We have tried to make Iowa a safer place with the passage of HF 261, the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Bill, and HF 263, a Bill on Domestic Abuse Sentencing Requirements . HF233 will give sick Iowans, and their doctors, more control over their healthcare. The Bill provides a number of exceptions so that patients can get the medicine they need without having to go through treatments that aren’t effective as a way for insurance companies to save money. This will insure that sick Iowans will get the medications their doctors recommend without having to go through a number of ineffective treatments first.

There have been numerous noncontroversial Bills on such topics as motor vehicle laws and real estate. Such have been passed without much debate. Among these Bills was one (HF607) that insures that our laws keep up with innovations in the growing industry of microbreweries and distilleries. It also brings more parity between breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

HF 603 was passed out of the House. This Bill was a 5 year work to completion. It impacts the ability of merchant lines to use eminent domain. It addresses the taking of land for the creation of a lake. And lastly, it determines how much a person shall be paid if the land their business or farm operation is located on is taken through eminent domain. This was a great win for the landowners and a loss for unwelcome private corporations. We continue to rein in abuses of eminent domain and strengthen the rights of private property owners.

Senate File 274 is a first step in addressing a skills gap for businesses across the state by incentivizing and encouraging school districts to provide quality computer science courses in grades K through 12.
It creates standardization across the state for expectations, high-quality components of courses, and training for teachers. It provides new opportunities for licensure and pathways into teaching computer science for tech professionals outside the field. A workgroup is also established to recommend additional ways to provide opportunities to Iowa’s children to work towards jobs in a high-paying, in-demand career.

This week the Human Resources Committee passed a Bill banning late term abortions, similar to 23 other states. HF607Bill allows for exceptions in situations involving the life or health of the mother. This is the most substantial piece of legislation to protect the unborn in Iowa history, but we aren’t done fighting to protect life.
I am grateful to you for this privilege of serving you and keeping your interests first.