(Des Moines) Iowa District #18 Representative Tom Moore released the following information about bills that passed through the House this past week.
The list is posted below:
Play Based Learning
HF2652 Pre-kindergarten shall include at least 90 minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day. Kindergarten shall include at least 45 minutes of play-based learning each school day. Vote 89-0
Athletic Sit-Out Period.
HF2591 changes the 90 school day sit-out period to 140 calendar days for open enrollment and transfers. Moore says due to the increase in schools participating in 4 day school weeks, this was a better and more fair solution to solving open enrollment and student transfers. Vote 90-0
Foster Parent Training
SF2096 strikes specific hour training requirements from code for foster parent licensure and renewal. Instead, this bill allows DHHS to determine the need for training based on the individual foster parent’s experience and training and the needs of the child being placed in their care. Vote 80-10
Right to Repair for DEF Systems of Farm Equipment
HF2529: The major part of this bill provides that the original farm equipment manufacturers must make available, for farm equipment, diagnostic and repair information regarding the operation of a diesel exhaust fluid system (DEF), including technical updates, and software updates, “for no charge or in the same manner as the manufacturer makes such information available to…authorized repair providers…Moore says ” This bill will provide significant economic relief for our Iowa farmers when it comes to operation and repair of an EPA mandated DEF system on farm equipment. Vote 57-33
Governor’s MAHA Bill
HF2676 is the Governor’s Make America Healthy Again bill. It does the following:
- Requires nutrition continuing education for certain doctors and physician assistants. This was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.
- Requires healthy foods for SNAP and summer EBT.
- Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin for human consumption as an over-the-counter medicine without liability.
- Prohibits schools from providing food and beverages with certain ingredients starting July 1, 2027.
- Requires Iowa to join the Psychology Compact with 43 states, including all states surrounding Iowa.
- Amendment 8090 requires Iowa medical school students to complete at least 40 hours of coursework on nutrition and metabolic health prior to graduation, starting July 2028.
Moore says he voted for this bill because of the good provisions that provide for improvement of Iowans health, but there were some amendments attached that I was not completely in favor of but the overall benefit of the bill led me to a yes vote. Vote 65-30
Legal Tender as a Form of Payment for Interscholastic Athletic Contests
SF274, a public school, must accept legal tender as a form of payment for entry to an interscholastic athletic contest. Moore says this solves one of our most heard complaints.
Vote 83-13 as amended
CTP Access to ITG
HF2250 allows an Iowa student who is admitted and in attendance as a student in a CTP and post secondary program that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and is provided by the following:
- An accredited private institution
- A community college established under Chapter 260C
- An institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents.
They may receive tuition grants for not more than 8 semesters of study. Vote 96-0
Supplementary Weighting for CTE Instructors
HF2492 adds CTE instructor to the list of shared operations with a weighting of two pupils. Vote 95-1
ESA Flow Through for General Fund
HF2684 allows public schools to use the ESA flow-through funds (approximately $1,600 per student) for general fund purposes. Moore says this allows these funds to be used more flexibly by our public schools rather than being siloed into categories. Vote 96-0
Social Studies Standards
HF2510 prescribes specific social studies standards by grade level with specific people, events, documents, etc. Moore says he was a NO vote because the standards prescribed in this bill are way too prescriptive and we need to have a slate of people that actually instruct social studies in schools to prepare appropriate social studies standards, NOT the legislature.Vote 60-36
One Unit of US Government
HF2244 changes the 1/2 unit of U.S. government requirement to 1 unit of U.S. government. Moore says this was an amendment Representative Ingels and I had on a bill last year and has come to the floor as a standalone bill this year which I fully support because it increases the civic engagement of our students. Vote 70-26
Protected Speech and Expression Rights for Students
HF2336 prohibits schools from discriminating against or penalizing a student or student club engaging in religious, political, or ideological speech. Moore was a NO vote because it is duplicative of federal law, it would create a heavy administrative burden, and it’s in conflict with HF2512 which we will probably see on the floor for a vote again.
Vote 63-33
Child Endangerment
HF2360 clarifies that a child is anyone under 18 for the purpose of child endangerment. Representative Moore says this was an important bill because there was a conflict among law enforcement about the actual age of child endangerment. Vote 97-0
Suspended Special Minor’s Restricted License
HF2628 states that if a juvenile with a Special Minor’s Restricted License violates the restrictions on driving with that license and the license is suspended, this bill establishes that they can obtain an instructional permit during the suspension period. This would limit their ability to drive only when accompanied by an adult. Tom Moore says this is a fair solution to mistakes made by young Iowans. Vote 91-6
Human Trafficking Prevention Training for CDL Holders
HF2598 requires those obtaining a class A, B, or C CDL to receive at least 30 minutes of approved human trafficking prevention training. Moore says this will aid over-the-road truckers with their ability to recognize when human trafficking might be taking place. Vote 97-0
Ant-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act
HF2718 bars state and local agencies, as well as their employees, from enforcing red flag laws regardless of their origin. It also prohibits state and local entities from accepting federal funds specifically for enforcing red flag laws. Moore says this protects lawful gun owning Iowans from having their 2nd Amendment protections violated, suspended, or removed without due process. Vote 67-29
Minor Consent to Pregnancy
HF2564 allows a minor to consent to pregnancy care when a parent is not reasonably available. This provides for prenatal as well as postnatal care for a minor who doesn’t have a parent available to consent to that care, according to Moore. Vote 94-2
3 Strikes Habitual Offender
HF2542 implements a “three-and-done” strike system. If you choose a lifestyle of crime, you will be removed from society and incarcerated for at least 20 years. Under current law, repeat violent offenders are released back onto the streets where they become a risk to our children and loved ones. By using “half-strikes” and clear warnings, we give individuals every opportunity to change their path. This isn’t about one mistake; it’s about a proven pattern of dangerous behavior. We hope the threat of 20 years in prison will prevent future crimes. Moore says This system is a common-sense, fair system that ensures that once an individual chooses a pattern of dangerous criminal behavior, they are removed from society and unable to continue to wreak havoc on our communities. Vote 68-23
Judicial Performance Information
HF2719 will create a dashboard to provide Iowans with objective data on how judges exercise their discretion. Currently, when Iowans head to the polls for retention elections, they are often flying blind, forced to rely on hearsay rather than facts. Moore says by making this information clear and accessible to Iowans, we are empowering voters with an accurate understanding of how a judge manages the people’s business. This isn’t about telling judges how to rule; it’s about ensuring that when they use their discretion, they do so in the light of day. Vote 73-19
Removing Affirmative Action in Iowa Code
HF2711 removes affirmative action requirements in the Iowa Code. It ends preferential treatment based on race. Moore says this will ensure that all Iowans are treated equally and that hiring and licensing decisions are not based on an individual’s race.
Vote 64-29
Community Colleges 4-Year Degrees
HF2649 creates a pilot program for community colleges to create degree programs that lead to 4 year degrees if they meet certain requirements for high demand field in their area or if it is one of the following: education, nursing, information technology, public safety, business, health care management, agriculture, or dental hygiene. Moore says this will greatly enhance the ability of nontypical students in the 8 major areas of need to access a 4-year degree while maintaining their personal and professional responsibilities at home. Vote 55-36
Prohibiting Intentional Emission of Air Contaminants to Impact Weather
HF2640 would prohibit any attempt to affect the weather, whether temperature, climate, sunlight intensity, or moisture. Current law does not address this. It passed with an amendment stating that this does not apply to agriculture or agribusiness. Moore says This is affectionately known as the ‘Chem Trail’ bill. Vote 58-26
Animal Torture
HF2348 clarifies the definition of animal torture and increases the penalty. It also increases penalties for other types of second offense animal abuse. Moore says This brings Iowa up to speed with the other 49 states. Vote 85-0.
