Helena Hays – Capitol Update April 29, 2024

The End of the 90th General Assembly

The 90th General Assembly has come to a close. This second session went even faster than the first and no longer will us new legislators be considered “the freshman.” Most of us are well into the thick of campaign season already or are taking a much-needed break back in our home districts. Personally, I needed to let the dust settle a bit before sending out my final newsletter of the session. I intend to continue to send more updates during the summer and fall months, just not nearly as frequent.

Thank you all so much for your support, encouraging words, comments and concerns regarding legislation and for taking the time to read this newsletter. I hope you find it helpful as you continue to navigate this increasingly challenging political climate.

This newsletter is full of a long list of many of top bills that are headed to the Govenor’s office. There is much included here so please take a moment to skim now and return for more later! Blessings to you all!

Protecing Kids, Giving Schools Options

Keeping students safe in schools is a top priority. HF 2586 has two parts, the first addresses the need for school resources officers and the second creates a professional weapons permit and training for school employees.

School resource officers (SRO) are an asset to schools and the community. Their connection with students and staff allows them to see problems developing before they get out of hand. The officers bring a sense of safety and security to a sometimes-chaotic place. Unfortunately, some schools have removed school resources officers from their buildings. HF 2586 requires schools with more than 8,000 students to have an SRO in schools with grades 9-12. These large school districts can opt out of the requirement, but that will require a vote of the school board to reject this important security. Smaller schools are encouraged to have SRO’s. In addition to law enforcement officers, schools can also hire private school security officers who meet the background checks and training standards.

While school security officers are great, they can’t be everywhere at once, that’s why HF 2586 also gives schools the option of allowing employees to qualify for a special professional permit for school employees. This is a completely optional program for the schools and employees. If a school chooses to move forward with this program, staff can volunteer to join. A school employee must pass a standard weapons permit background check every year and complete special training. The training includes;

– Prescribed firearm safety training course

– One time in person legal training, including training on qualified immunity

– Annual emergency medical training

– Annual communications training

– Yearly live scenario training

– Quarterly live firearms training

A school employee who meets all these qualifications shall be entitled to qualified immunity from criminal or civil liability for damages when reasonable force is used in the school. House File 2586 provides two different ways for schools to protect their students, both with school resource officers, and well-trained, armed school employees. This bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk.

Funding AEA Compliance at the D.E.

As part of the Education Budget that was recently passed, we funded the necessary support that the Department of Education will need to complete its compliance work of the AEA’s. The AEA bill we passed earlier this year took the responsibility of oversight from the AEAs and placed it under the Department of Education’s Special Education division. The $10 million transferred to the DE represents the amount the DE says it needs to handle the responsibility of oversight.

According to previous budget reports from the AEAs, the AEAs collectively spend somewhere between $12.4 million and $47.2 million to perform the oversight and compliance services. (That is the most accurate range the legislature could obtain.)

This means, with this $10 million transfer, the AEAs will retain the $2.4 million to $37.2 million that had previously been allotted to compliance to now spend on special education and other services.

Increasing Teacher Pay (Part of AEA bill)

We took feedback from the teachers’ union, superintendents and more as we crafted legislation to raise pay for teachers and paraprofessionals. This bill increases the minimum teacher salary from the current amount of $33,500 to $47,500 beginning next school year, and then bumps it up again to $50,000 the following year. This will put Iowa’s minimum teacher salary at 5th highest in the nation. When adjusted for cost of living, this puts Iowa’s beginning teachers in a great spot compared to their peers.

It also adds a second tier for minimum teacher pay. Teachers who have 12 years of experience can make no less than $60,000 in year one and $62,000 in year two. The addition of this second tier means a lot of new money, particularly for rural schools.

This bill also allocates $22.3 million for the teacher salary supplemental pot of money for schools to help with the pay compaction concerns we have heard from some school districts.

All of this is new money that will be built into the base going forward, meaning it will increase with SSA in subsequent years. I’ve heard some concerns from folks who think our bill only funds these increases for one year and then leaves school districts high and dry. That is not the case. Our teachers are doing essential, important work. We want our teachers to receive the compensation they deserve and incentivize more people to enter the profession. Additionally, this bill allocates $14 million to increase pay for educational support staff. The Iowa House fought tooth and nail to have this proposal included in this legislation. Our goal was to raise the pay for our paraprofessionals who do such important, difficult work.

Even More Education Bills

Early Literacy Bill

-Sent to Governor

Reading is the foundation of learning. Students in Iowa are holding steady in reading scores, but we can do better. Currently, 35% of Iowa’s third graders aren’t reading proficiently. Children who can’t read by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, which dramatically increases their chances of being arrested, using illegal drugs, and having poor health. We’re the only state in the country that doesn’t require competency in early literacy instruction for teacher licensure.

This bill would require students in teacher prep programs to take the Foundation of Reading assessment. It also states that the schools must report to parents if their student is not reading proficiently in grades 1-6. Parents will then have the option to retain their student in the current grade level if they choose. It also states that schools must provide students in K-6 with a reading plan until the student is reading proficiently.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies at Iowa’s Regency University’s

-Sent to the Govenor

The Regents cannot, except as provided by federal or state law or accreditation, have a DEI office and no money shall be expended unless required by federal, state, or accreditation on DEI.

Each institution shall submit an annual report certifying compliance. This bill also allows any person to notify the Attorney General’s Office of an institution’s potential violation and may bring action to compel compliance. Furthermore, all moneys that would’ve been used on DEI shall be reallocated to the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program.

School Standards Review

-Sent to Govenor

Directs the Department to conduct a comprehensive review of the graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and education standards. Public comment and input from stakeholders will be considered. The director shall convene committees that contain members of the GA that serve in an ex officio capacity. Adds specific requirements for Social Studies Standards during their review.

Funding the Veterans Affairs and

Health and Human Services

-This large appropriations bill has been sent to the Govenor’s Desk

House File 2698 appropriates a total of $2.213 billion from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs (IVA) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in FY 2025. This is an increase of $88.6 million when compared to the estimated budget for FY 2024. The HHS Budget has been completely reworked because of government realignment in 2023.

The bill implements the following items:

This budget increases home and community-based services rates to care for disabled Iowans in their communities with a $14.6 million investment from the general fund. With additional general fund to backfill ARPA dollars, this budget in total increases disabled care with over $84 million.
This budget provides $5 million of state general fund to increase access to enhanced case management for Iowans using long-term services and supports.
Provides 70 additional waiver slots to Iowans with intellectual disabilities.
Provides $1.35 million to increase residential-based supported community living rates for children.
This budget provides $2.1 million in increased state funding towards mental health Medicaid rates. This builds on the work we did last year when we passed a $13 million increase.
Provides an increase to community mental health centers, PTs, medical supplies, OTs, Pas, and nurse midwives based on the 2023 Medicaid rate review.
Provides for an enhanced rate to PMICs that provide care to the most complex children in our state.
Provides funding and employees to specialize the Independence Mental Health Institute to behaviorally complex youth and the Cherokee MHI to acute and forensic adults.
Provides $750,000 from the Autism Support Fund to be used for new ChildServe buildings to care for children with autism.
Transfers two psychiatry residencies from UIHC to Broadlawns and Mercy One.
This budget provides a $3 million increase to home health rates.
This bill requires DIAL to hold trainings with inspectors and nursing facilities twice a year, and requires a process for citations that involves feedback from the nursing home.
Provides a $500,000 dispensing fee increase to pharmacies.
Provides a $250,000 increase to air ambulance providers.
Provides necessary training and ratio adjustments for child welfare social worker supervisors.
Increases the stipend for those in the child welfare system utilizing the preparation for adult living program.
Increases foster care and adoption subsidy rates by 5%.
Brings health care technology platforms into regulation. Prohibits temp staffing agencies and platforms from operating in the state without registration.

The House PASSED House File 2698 on April 19, 2024 on a vote of 56-35. The Senate PASSED House File 2698 on April 19, 2024 on a vote of 32-15.

Can’t forget to talk about taxes

Iowans for Tax Relief always publishes out great information regarding tax updates. This is a great summary of what was accomplished in the 2024 session. Thanks to ITR for sharing!

End of Legislative Session: Key Taxpayer Victories

Are Iowa taxpayers in a better position now than they were at the start of the legislative session? Yes, they are.

In January, we said Iowa had set the tax reform gold standard other states wanted to follow and warned that we must not become complacent. While Iowa has significantly reduced income tax rates, there is still more work to be done. We must keep enhancing our state’s tax code and ensure these improvements are preserved for future generations.

ITR laid out the bold objective of accelerating existing rate reductions, continue to lower rates, and create a path to eliminate the income tax. Legislators passed, and Governor Reynolds is expected to sign a bill to accomplish two of those goals.

This year, the top individual rate is 5.7%. It was scheduled to drop to 4.82% in 2025 and then to a flat 3.9% in 2026. SF 2442 will speed up planned tax cuts and implement a flat 3.8% individual income tax starting in tax year 2025.

Iowa has been taking too much from taxpayers. Due to fiscal conservatism, Iowa ended FY 2023 with a $1.83 billion surplus and our state’s reserve accounts are filled to their statutory maximums (over $900 million). Additionally, repeated surpluses have significantly increased the balance of the Taxpayer Relief Fund, which now stands at $3.6 billion and is expected to grow. These cuts will not starve of the beast. Legislators did not cut into planned future obligations, they only cut into the projected surpluses.

Iowans are estimated to save over a billion dollars in taxes from 2025 to 2027.

Constitutional Amendments Protecting Taxpayers

Two amendments to the Iowa constitution completed the first of three steps for approval this year. The first would require a supermajority (two-thirds majority) vote of both chambers of the legislature to approve an income tax increase. A second would prohibit the state income tax from returning to a progressive multiple-rate tax after reaching a single rate or flat tax in 2026.

Completing the first step for these constitutional amendments is a win for taxpayers.

Capitol Visits

Parents with their children are always some of my favorite visitors at the capitol. It was a treat to welcome Michele Burgmeier of Lockridge and her three sons.

Pastor Klayton Korver in Pella and Jayson Henry, Director of The Well joined legislators for Mahaska and Marion County – Representative Boden, Representative Kniff-McCulla and myself.

Attending the Govenor’s signing of RFRA

Similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, SF 2095 prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person’s religious liberty unless there is a compelling government interest in limiting or stopping the action. Any limits that are placed must be met in the least restrictive manner possible. This ensures that Iowans can practice their religion without unnecessary governmental interference.

Bills Related to State Government

SF 2096/HF 2450/HSB 670 – Gender Balance Requirements

Eliminates gender balance requirements on boards.

-Signed by Governor

SF 2204/HF 2483/HSB 663 – Foreign Land Ownership

Amends current registration requirements for nonresident owners of agricultural land to include birthplace, nationality, the purpose of the business, information of the daily supervisor of the land, and the information of the owner’s company and parent companies. Increases enforcement of these requirements. Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate these reports and requires an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by the SOS on these reports.

-Signed by Governor

HF 2015 – Special Landowner Deer Hunting Licenses

Expands the special deer hunting licenses to allow two special deer hunting licenses without first designating the season for the use of the license which can be used in any open season.

-Signed by Governor

SF 2331 – Public Notices

Amends public notice requirements to allow for public notices to be published online via official government websites and a statewide public notice website when an official newspaper does not exist in a county. Allows the creation of a statewide public notice website created and maintained by a group representing the majority of newspapers in Iowa. Requires all newspapers to post notices to the statewide website and to post the address of the statewide notice website with its published public notices in the newspaper.

-Signed by Governor

HF 2539/HF 2062 – Open Meetings Fines

Increases fines for violations of Open Meeting laws and removal from office for a repeat offense.

SF 2385/HF 2574/HSB 710 – Boards and Commissions Reform Bill

Eliminates 49 defunct, duplicative, or ineffective boards, commissions, and councils.

-Sent to Govenor

Judicial Bills

We have worked hard to protect our citizens from overzealous local governments, criminals and socialist-inspired policies. Below are some bills that originated in House Judiciary and have passed the Senate and have been sent to the Governor:

HF 2319- Prohibiting Guaranteed Income Programs

Last year, three Iowa counties implemented a guaranteed income program which essentially gave individuals a weekly paycheck. This socialist program that redistributes wealth is clearly a hand-out instead of a hand-up. HF 2319 prohibits guaranteed income programs run by Iowa cities or counties. Current programs must end by January 1, 2025.

HF 2594- Organized Retail Theft

Instead of getting a job to provide for themselves and their families, some individuals choose to partake in organized retail theft. This goes beyond basic shoplifting and is a coordinated effort by an individual or group to steal merchandise from a retail establishment and then either illegally return the items or sell it to others to make a profit. Unfortunately, these groups are popping up around the state. HF 2594 establishes the crime of organized retail theft and sets imprisonment based on the amount stolen.

HF 2598/2259- Looting

Everyone has seen the videos of large groups running into a store, smashing displays, and grabbing as many items as they can before running out. HF 2598 addresses this type of crime and raises the penalty on looting. Looting occurs when a group enters a store or other structure and damages or removes property. HF 2598 creates a three-tier system based on the cost of items stolen and damage done to the building. There are also mandatory minimums to ensure these individuals face the consequences of their actions.

SF 2340- Illegal Entry into Iowa

Illegal immigration is a huge problem facing our nation, and Iowa isn’t immune from the trouble. Senate File 2340 allows the arrest and prosecution of individuals who have previously been deported from the country for illegal entry. This straightforward approach makes it clear illegal immigrants are not welcomed in Iowa, while not impacting those who follow the law and enter our country and state legally.

HF2240- False Depiction of Another- Pornography

A person who takes the image of another and alters it into pornography is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.

-Signed by governor

SF2243- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor- Altered Images

Taking the image of a minor and altering it into a pornographic image is a class “D” felony for a first offense and a class “C” felony for additional offenses.

-Signed by Governor

HF2602- Grooming

Applies online or in person, grooming is when a person knowingly seduces, solicits, lures, or entices, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child, or a person believed to be a child, to commit any sex act or to otherwise engage in unlawful sexual conduct. As used in this section “child” means a person under eighteen years of age.

Grooming is a class “D” felony.

Bills that Died

Even though there were exciting things accomplished this session, I am greatly disappointed that some important issues did not get resolved during the session. I hope to continue the work to advance these important topics:

Eminent Domain – The House passed, almost unanimously, another bill early in session that would protect property rights in the midst of the growing carbon pipeline threat. The bill would have given landowners and pipeline companies the ability to get a court decision before permit proceeding are over on whether or not an eminent domain request is constitutional. Just like last year’s bill on property rights, this one died the same fate in the Senate.

Gender Identity in the Iowa Civil Rights Code – While the nature of protected civil right classes has historically rested upon immutable characteristics, todays’ culture war with transgender ideology and gender identity will continue to drive the conversation about whether or not gender identity should continue to be a protected class.



Illegal Immigration – Though I appreciate and fully support the bill signed by the Govenor this year that removes illegal immigrants from Iowa who have previously been denied entry or hold felony charges, Iowa can and should take stronger action against those who come to Iowa and are in the country illegally.

Chem Trails – Yes, you read that right. Does Iowa face a problem with unnatural spraying of aerosols in the atmosphere as part geoengineering weather attempt? Many in my district have pressed me to address this. I have looked at various model legislation being introduced in other states and have yet found the appropriate solution for Iowa.

Age Verification – Our bill that requires porn sites to use online age verification to protect minors from harmful sexual content made it through the House but died in the Senate.
From the Capitol to Campaigning

Now that the legislative session has come to a close, it is time for elected officials to kick off their campaign season. If you welcome a yard sign or 4X8 barn sign in the district, please let me know. The upcoming primary will be Tuesday, June 4th and the general election will be Tuesday, November 5th.

I also welcome volunteers who would like to walk the communities while hanging up door hangers. This has been the most popular answer to those of you who have asked, “What can I do?” Reach out to me for flyers and simple instructions and start enjoying these sunny, spring days.

Honor a Veteran

Honor a Veteran is a program that honors the sacrifices that Veterans have made throughout history to protect our freedoms and our sacred right to vote.

Many Iowa veterans have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom and this is one small way we can say, “Thank you” to them. When you honor a veteran through the Honor a Vet program, the Iowa Secretary of State’s office will send a pin to you and the veteran whom you are honoring. Iowans are encouraged to wear this pin when they vote, on Election Day, or every day, to let everyone know you are proud to honor Iowa veterans.

Please Honor a Veteran by leaving a personal message for a military member here.

To my father (who served in Vietnam) in the above photos: Thank you Dad for your service to our country.