Bill introductions slowed to a trickle by week 13, with just a handful of days left until the end of the scheduled legislative session. Most of the work happening now is in the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means...more
Week 12 brought more signs of Spring: the Pella Tulip Time Queen and her court graced the Capitol with their presence and their Dutch letters. In March Madness news, the Sweet 16 weekend kicked off with the Iowa State Cyclone...more
Week Eight brought remarkable and historic weather, a late-night floor debate in the House, and the first bills signed by the Governor this session....more
The first funnel of the legislative session was a sprint to get as many bills passed through committees as possible. It was unusually busy, with more than 100 bills introduced since last Thursday, including successor bills...more
Week five of the legislative session was full of subcommittee and committee action. The first funnel is this week, Friday, February 16. A large number of bills moved forward in week five, but several key priorities have yet...more
Week four of the legislative session was action-packed. Drafters, legislators, advocates, and staff are hustling to keep up with the pace and volume of bills being introduced and moving through committees. A number of...more
After two weeks of midweek snowstorms, legislative activity returned to normal with the first “full” week at the Capitol, which included a large volume of subcommittee hearings, committee meetings, and public events filling...more
On Monday, January 15, despite the brutal cold, Republicans gathered around the state for the first indication of the Republican Party’s nominee...more
The 90th General Assembly reconvened this week for the 2024 legislative session amid a record-setting snowstorm in central Iowa. On Monday, leadership in both parties gave opening-day speeches outlining their priorities for...more
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...more
The Revenue Estimating Conference forecasted Iowa’s revenues for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, predicting a slight decline but emphasizing a strong overall budget. Governor Kim Reynolds is required to use this estimate as the...more
On Tuesday, the Boards and Commissions Review Committee (BCRC) created in the Governor’s realignment bill (Division XIX of SF5514) met to discuss and deliver their preliminary recommendations. After reviewing the...more
Today, April 28, is the final day of paid work for Iowa lawmakers, their clerks, and Capitol staff. The House and Senate pages decorated boxes for the legislators they assisted this year to help them clear their desks for the...more
Week 13 was quiet at the Capitol, with very little floor action and minimal committee work. During week 13, the Senate could only consider House bills, House joint resolutions, and unfinished business, and the House could...more
Week 12 brought the second major milestone for the legislature, the second funnel; despite this deadline, the week had an eerily slow pace. Highlights included the Governor signing two more bills and the Senate introducing a...more
The first day of spring was Monday, bringing new life to the Capitol in Week 11. As the weather continues to warm, farmers will be eager to start planting crops; we will keep you apprised of the soil temperature in the state,...more
Yet another legislative week was shortened due to winter weather. The snowfall sent many legislators home Wednesday night, making for a quiet Thursday. The House introduced 93 new bills this week, and the Senate introduced...more
Week 5 brought movement on major legislation, including annual education funding and medical malpractice limits. The legislature kept up its rapid pace, with 69 bills introduced in the House and 59 introduced in the Senate....more
Week four brought more bill introductions and the continued rapid pace of committee work. We are four weeks from the first funnel deadline and expect committee work to continue moving bills through full committees to become...more
The headline of Week three: Governor Reynolds signed her top legislative priority into law. The highly debated Educational Savings Accounts plan passed the House and Senate after a late night of debate Monday night, landing...more
Week 2 of the Iowa legislative session was shortened by the MLK Jr. holiday weekend. The winter storm late this week also cancelled several committees and subcommittees on Thursday further abbreviating an already short week....more
The 90th General Assembly convened for the 2023 legislative session on Monday, January 9. Monday consisted of short organizing sessions in the House and Senate and speeches by leadership in both parties. Priorities set by the...more
The 2023 session of the 90th Iowa General Assembly began Monday, January 9....more
Legislative activity came to a close last week, as Governor Reynolds signed the remaining enrolled bills into law, completing action on all of the approved legislation from the 89th General Assembly. Governor Reynolds...more
We are now 30 days beyond the scheduled 100th day of session. The legislature had been on a bit of a hiatus for the last two and a half weeks, gaveling in and out as required by Constitution/rule…until this week. Progress...more