Author Archives: Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa Senate approves bill setting expanded Medicaid work requirements
(Des Moines) The Iowa Senate passed legislation Tuesday setting work requirements for Iowans on the state's expanded Medicaid program. Senate File 615, passed by the Senate in a 33-15 vote, would make...
Mar 26, 2025
Senators vote to protect Iowans' 'basic human right' to garden
(Des Moines) A bill advanced from the Iowa Senate floor Monday that would protect home gardens from state and local ordinances. Sen. Cherielynn Westrich, R-Ottumwa, said the bill hits at a "growing co...
Mar 26, 2025
Outdoor recreation in Iowa has an $8 billion annual economic output
(Des Moines) Iowans gathered at the Iowa Capitol Thursday to celebrate the parks, trails and outdoor spaces across the state. The gathering was also intended to serve as a reminder to lawmakers that I...
Mar 23, 2025
Iowa Senate advances constitutional amendment on remote testimony
(Des Moines) The Iowa Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday to start the process of amending the state constitution to allow child victims to testify remotely against their alleged abusers....
Mar 23, 2025
Iowa Senate passes bill with new rules on local construction contracts
(Des Moines) Republicans supporting a bill passed Wednesday by the Iowa Senate said the measure addresses a specific concern with favoring unions in local contracts, but opponents argued it will preve...
Mar 23, 2025
D.C. Dispatch: Miller-Meeks, Grassley introduce bills on drug costs
(Washington DC) Members of Iowa's congressional delegation have introduced legislation they say will help lower drug costs. U.S. Congress has largely not met this week, with most of the attention in n...
Mar 21, 2025
Expanded Medicaid, SNAP work requirement bill approved by Senate subcommittee
(Des Moines) Legislation setting work requirements to receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits was approved by a Senate appropriations subcommittee Thursday. The bill, Senate File 599, directs the Iowa Depa...
Mar 20, 2025
House advances bill to change school nutrition standards
(Des Moines) A bill passed the Iowa House Wednesday that would require schools to forgo federal nutrition standards to instead prioritize Iowa-specific guidelines. House Democrats, who opposed the bil...
Mar 20, 2025
Senate votes to restrict drivers' use of handheld devices, then raises speed limits
(Des Moines) The Iowa Senate voted Tuesday to ban the use of handheld cellphones and other devices behind the wheel, while turning down an effort to extend the ban to drivers of farm implements. A few...
Mar 18, 2025
Iowa Senate advances bill to strengthen rules against drones over farmland
(Des Moines) Iowa senators advanced a bill Monday to provide farms 40 acres or larger with state protection against surveillance by drones. Lawmakers approved a law in 2024 to prohibit remote-piloted ...
Mar 18, 2025
