Around Des Moines

Some, but by no means all, of the bills that made it through the first funnel week at the Iowa General Assembly are now catching the attention of assorted news media. There is an important lesson here: the more news outlets we have, and the more people we have working in those outlets, the greater chance we, as a society, have of learning what we need to know before it is too late. The traditional media have reported on the smoking ban bill (in conference committee awaiting the return of a legislator who had to leave Des Moines suddenly because his wife went into labor), voting processes (optical scanners and paper ballots), and union negotiating options.

The daily legislation and analysis tracking reports posted on the General Assembly’s website include a Friday report for the first time this week as the Senate passed numerous bills on March 21st. The reports for the week do not show any bills signed by the governor. During Week 9, the governor signed HF2366. That new law allows general obligation bonds to be issued for peace officer and other emergency services communication equipment. Also signed were HF2359, authorizing the revenue of a few lottery games to be dedicated to veterans, and SF2123, routinely updating Iowa’s revenue code to changes in the federal code.

Looking forward to Week 11, the second funnel of the legislative session occurs. With a few exceptions, such as for appropriation bills, House bills and Senate bills must be voted out of each other’s chambers no later than March 28th if they are to be considered further during this session.

Social calendar activities appear to be slowing down but only a portion of groups list their events. During Week 10, Council Bluffs held a Day on the Hill. In addition, legislative breakfasts were hosted by the Iowa Department for the Blind, the Iowa Biodiesel Board, and the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa. The Highway 30 Association held an ice cream social.

In the House Journal for March 20th, HF2526 (replacing HF2083, introduced by Rep. Chuck Gipp, R-Winneshiek County) passed 98-0. The bill deals with disposition of school property and limitations on voters. SF2347 passed the House 92-6. This bill requires counties to use optical scan voting devices. However, in Section 5, the bill also appropriates money for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 related to the construction of a new 350,000 gross square foot office building and employee relocation from the Wallace building that is to be demolished. On the 21st, the Senate passed HF2392 on a vote of 42-1. This bill deals with notices of delinquency for municipal utility services (e.g., water, solid waste).

There is so much legislation in play right now that news outlets can only report on a small portion of it. If you have an interest that is not being covered, let the editors and reporters know.

M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.