Sine Die—The End Is Here

The Griswold Republican highlight of bills. For example, the Nonmedical Switching bill.

The School Safety bill which is the second piece addressing School Safety. This bill does the following:

·         Allows districts to have mobile panic alert systems that are capable of integrating into the local public safety answering point.

·         Directs districts to do a comprehensive school safety review, if not done already, and submit those plans to local law enforcement. Plans are confidential.

·         Districts may use SAVE dollars for the new technology if it meets requirements spelled out.

·         Schools are not allowed to bond for new or renovating athletic facilities unless in compliance with the new school safety standards.

·         Creates a taskforce to come up with school safety building codes.

·         Creates a grant program for schools to use for infrastructure, equipment, training, and stipends.

·         Ensures DPS has rulemaking authority for the implementation of HF2586.

Moore says SF2442 In 2018 the Iowa House reduced the income tax rates for all Iowans. With 9 tax brackets the rates went from .36% to 8.98% to .33% to 8.53% in 2019. Then in 2022 we once again reduced taxes on Iowans and went to only 4 brackets of 4.4% to 6.5% with it moving to a flat 3.9% for everyone in 2026. This year we will accelerate that up one year to 2025 and reduce the total income tax for all Iowans.

The bill also deals with targeted jobs withholding credit, gives the county Boards of Supervisors the ability to eliminate or create compensation boards, and adjusts county and city tax levy rates.

Moore says this is probably the most extensive and complicated bill of the 2024 session. It is the result of an interim study to look into the boards and commissions that have become obsolete, those that need to be merged to align with government reorganization, and those that needed new rules or make-up. The tireless work of Representative Jane Bloomingdale is to be commended making changes and tough choices while trying to satisfy the Senate, the Governor, all the departments, and finally the people affected by proposed changes. Changes to Iowa’s Boards and Commissions by the house bill deals with 16 different divisions of which the following are all included. #9 below is probably the most extensive of the divisions in which 54 boards or commissions are repealed or eliminated. It is important to note that the elimination of a board/committee usually means the duties are transferred to a more appropriate board/committee.

The bill addresses issues in each of the following divisions:

I. Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee

II. Professional Land Surveyors – Licensing

III. Establishment and Review of Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Councils

IV. Professional Boards

V. Licensure Studies

VI. Advisory Bodies

VII. Electronic Meetings

VIII. Meetings – General

IX. Reorganization

X. Public Officers and Employees

XI through XVII. Council on Health and Human Services

XVIII. Elimination of Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development Council

XVIV. Elimination of Commissions Under Human Rights Board

XX. HAWKI Board and Advisory Committee for Children With Special Health Care Needs Elimination

XXI. Autism Council Elimination and Creation of Iowa Special Education Council

XXII. Transition Provisions

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