So here’s the question for Iowans: What should be the Iowa Legislature’s top priority this session?
From the Desk of Senator Bennett
Hello Friends,
It’s been a bit of a tough week in the Capitol. I’ll spare you a verbose lament, but after the Governor’s AEA bill died in the House, she filed House Study Bill 649, the LGBTQ Erasure Act, which, among other things, would require transgender Iowans to have a specific marker on their driver’s licenses. This bill did pass subcommittee, marking a dark day in Iowa’s History.
In the Senate, the Technology committee (of which I am ranking member) has moved forward some good legislation related to protecting minors from deepfake extortion, and ensuring that our state code is clear in stating that using the image of an identifiable minor (an actual kid) to produce a pornographic image is illegal. Check out Senate File 2136.
Personally, I have filed several bills this week including:
Senate File 2234, mandating a comprehensive study on costs of marijuana enforcement in Iowa, including costs of law enforcement and corrections, costs to individuals, and the overall costs to families.
Senate File 2225. Did you know that an individual possessing a Medical Cannabis card in Iowa can lose their driver’s license if the presence of cannabis metabolites are detected via blood testing – even if that person shows no evidence of functional impairment? Most Iowans don’t, and we’ve learned that non-impaired individuals will sometimes volunteer to take a blood test during a traffic stop knowing that they are not impaired, but then find out that legally using medical cannabis several days or even weeks prior to the stop causes them to lose their licenses. We all agree that impaired people should not be driving, but penalizing a person who is not impaired does not serve the purposes of public safety.
Not Yet Numbered: A bill addressing deepfakes used to influence elections.
Not Yet Numbered: “Ban the Box” legislation addressing systemic inequalities in employment stemming from other systemic inequalities, particularly in the justice system, by forbidding employers to have a criminal history checkbox on job applications, with important exceptions.
Senators Wahls, Trone-Garriot, and I continue to urge our colleagues to take up our Right to Contraception Act.
One other interesting bill to point out is Senate File 2232. This bill establishes a statewide retirement fund trust. This would be particularly helpful to workers whose employers do not offer any type of retirement plan or 401k.
You can find the entire list of bills I’ve authored or co-sponsored here.
What is Your Top Legislative Priority in 2024?
In the early weeks of the legislative session, we’ve seen bills in the Statehouse that crank up the culture war, undermine public education, and try to erode equal rights for Iowans.
None of these bills are necessary. None of them offer more opportunity, freedom, or accountability for Iowans. None of them take our state in the right direction.
So here’s the question for Iowans: What should be the Iowa Legislature’s top priority this session?
As we approach a key deadline for considering and advancing bills through the legislative process, we want to hear from you. What’s the one thing above all others that lawmakers should focus on getting done for the people of Iowa?
Click the button below to tell us what you think.
Quick Updates
More mental health. With access lagging across the state, Iowa can do more to support mental health in schools. That’s why I joined my colleagues in sponsoring Senate File 2082, which would expand Medicaid to cover mental health provided in school-based settings, regardless of formal diagnosis. It’s what our kids are asking for and need, and I’m glad to see all of the advocacy organizations that have registered their support for the bill.
Union busting bill. This week, lawmakers held a subcommittee hearing on a union-busting bill that would give employers more power to weaken worker rights. Senate Study Bill 3158 would decertify a public-employee union if the public employer fails to file needed paperwork in a union recertification election. It’s unbelievable: under this bill, workers would be punished for something their employer failed to do. I support workers’ rights and oppose this bad bill.
Bipartisan preschool expansion. Senate File 2075 would fund a full-day preschool program for students whose household income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Preschool is a critical jumpstart for all kids, and those in lower income households benefit from extended instruction most. This bill has passed the first legislative hurdle, and I look forward to it passing the Senate Education Committee and reaching the floor for a full Senate vote.
Public schools are waiting. State law requires lawmakers to set public school funding for the coming year in the first 30 days of the legislative session. Setting this number is critical for districts to know how much funding they’ll receive and set their budgets accordingly. But instead of getting this done, the majority has introduced Senate Study Bill 3122, a bill that simply pushes lawmakers’ deadline back. This is a big problem for schools, which are rushing to finalize budgets and begin preparing for the coming school year.
Protect your local library. Last year,voters in Pella rejected a partisan attempt to take over the local library. Now, there’s a bill in the Legislature to threaten every library in Iowa with that same politicization. Senate Study Bill 3168 would threaten funding an independent oversight of public libraries, weakening these critical community institutions. But here’s the good news: after public outcry this week, the bill was pulled from consideration and is now being rewritten. Contact legislators on the Local Government Committee and let them know you support your local library and oppose SSB 3168.
Register to vote, win an award. Iowa high schools that register 90 percent or more of their eligible senior students to vote by March 22 can receive the Carrie Chapman Catt Award through the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office. If you’re a student or educator, follow these four steps to get voters registered and win the award!
Fresh food grants. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Growing Together Mini Grants will provide fresh produce and nutrition education to food pantries in our community this year. The grants allow master gardener volunteers to plant vegetable gardens and then donate what they grow to local food pantries, food banks and other food distribution sites. In 2023, the Growing Together projects donated over 103,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to 100 food pantries and distribution sites serving 82,000 Iowans.
In Linn County, the program will continue production at many donation garden sites and create an additional donation garden with a goal of donating 13,000 pounds of produce to local food pantries including the SE Linn Community Center. It will provide educational and volunteering opportunities for food pantry clients and promote donation of excess produce from home gardeners.
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