Iowa House Republicans » Local Government

Caucus Staff Analysis – Monday, April 8

ctadlock — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:35:18 +0000

Below is a list of bills being debated today, with Caucus Staff’s analysis attached:

To see the full House Debate Calendar, click here.

Caucus Staff Analysis – Tuesday, March 19

ctadlock — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:13:53 +0000

Below is a list of bills being debated today, with Caucus Staff’s analysis attached:

Caucus Staff Analysis – Monday, March 18

ctadlock — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:48:15 +0000

Below is a list of bills being debated today, with Caucus Staff’s analysis attached:

2013 Funnel Survivors

ctadlock — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:55:55 +0000

With the first funnel over the House has narrowed down the bills that are still alive for consideration this session.

To see a list of the “Funnel Survivors” view the list below, organized by committee, of all bills that survived the first funnel in the House.

2013 First Funnel Survivors

End of Session Wrap Up

JillJ — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:39:12 +0000

Below is the end of session wrap up document prepared by the House Republican Research Staff

2012 End of Session Wrap Up

2012 First Funnel Survivors

JillJ — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:52:05 +0000

The 2012 legislative session has made its way through the first funnel. Click below to see a list of bills that made it through.

2012 First Funnel Survivors

2011 House Republican Committee Assignments

JillJ — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:15:47 +0000

House Republican committee assignments are now assembled for 2011. Click the links below to view lists in PDF.

Assignments by Member

Assignments by Committee

Republicans Announce Final Committee Chairs

JillJ — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:37:40 +0000

(DES MOINES) – Speaker-Elect Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) today announced the final committee chairs for the 84th General Assembly.

They are as follows:

Administration and Rules Committee: Rep. Renee Schulte, Chair (R-Cedar Rapids)
Administrative Rules Review Committee: Rep. Dawn Pettengill, Chair (R-Mount Auburn)
Education Committee: Rep. Greg Forristall, Chair (R-Macedonia)
Environmental Protection Committee: Rep. Steve Olson, Chair (R-DeWitt)
Ethics Committee: Rep. Kevin Koester, Chair (R-Ankeny)
Government Oversight Committee: Rep. Chris Hagenow, Chair (R-Windsor Heights)
Human Resources Committee: Rep. Linda Miller, Chair (R-Bettendorf)
Judiciary Committee: Rep. Rich Anderson (R-Clarinda)
Local Government Committee: Rep. Nick Wagner, Chair (R-Marion)
Natural Resources Committee: Rep. Henry Rayhons, Chair (R-Garner)
Public Safety Committee: Rep. Clel Baudler, Chair (R-Greenfield)
Veterans Affairs Committee: Rep. Royd Chambers, Chair (R-Sheldon)

“There will be several important issues that come out of these committees this year and I’m pleased these chairs will be the ones leading those discussions,” said Paulsen. “These leaders are committed to serving Iowans and getting them back to work.”

2010 End of Session Wrap-up

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:16:46 +0000

As the House adjourned the 2nd session of the 83rd General Assembly, the House Republican Research Staff put together an end of session wrap-up of notable bills in all committees.

2010 End of Session Wrap-up

SMART Bill Draws Smart Amendments

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:00:51 +0000

Iowans value local control and local decision making. SF 2265, the eco-friendly SMART planning bill, works against these founding principles. As it passed the Senate, the bill creates a permanent 31 member task force to investigate statewide urban and rural plan. The RIO office and the Department of Management provide the staff support.

Many feel the bill works against those cities that already paid $8,000 or up to $20,000 for a comprehensive plan. Others trust the planning already underway in many communities and through the existing regional COGS.

The lobbyist registrations tell mixed reaction to the legislation. As of March 10, 2010, there are 29 organizations registered as “undecided.” Only 14 groups support the bill including the RIO office, Iowa’s Office of Energy Independence, the Sierra Club, the Iowa Environmental Council and the Izaak Walton League.

As passed by the Senate, the bill creates an obligation for local governments to consider SMART planning principles. Local governments may choose not to follow the principles but they must consider them.

A House Local Government Committee amendment improves the bill by removing the “shalls.” Yet the statewide task force remains and the eco-friendly SMART principles become part of Iowa law.

Last week House Republicans offered amendments with the goal of preserving local control and limiting future costs. The amendments do the following:

Strike the Task Force and make the planning principles “suggested”
Strike the bill and direct the RIO office to provide the planning principles to all elected officials.
Sunset the Task Force at the end of the year.
Prohibit the RIO office from using current appropriations to staff the Task Force