Legislative Work
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - April 17, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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Gambling Tax Collections Down in March as Iowa Senate Proposes Hiking Sports Wagering Tax Rate
- Iowa has one of the lowest sports wagering tax rates in the nation at just 6.75 percent
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Bill Establishing Center for Intellectual Freedom Sent to the Governor’s Desk
- This is a great step forward for students who seek an unbiased knowledge and merit-based education
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Recount Modernization Heads to the Governor
- The bill to creates standard procedures for how election recounts are conducted across Iowa
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House Committee Supports Increasing Access to Adoptions
- House File 695 increases the adoption tax credit to from $5,000 to up to $20,000 of qualified adoption expenses per adoption
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - April 10th, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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Changes to Legislature's Role in Welfare Funding Raises Questions
- DHHS is proposing to change how TANF funding is appropriated
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What Kind of Accountability Exists in the ESA Program?
- The use of a third-party administrator, strict eligibility and expenditure rules, and mechanisms for recovery and penalties minimize improper use by both recipients and schools
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Disaster Recovery
- HF 982 enhances and improves Iowan's recovery efforts for communities affected by natural disasters
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House Republicans Strengthen Election Integrity
- The bill expands reasons to cancel a voter's registration to include citizenship status
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - April 3rd, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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Iowa Economy Has Strong March
- For March, the regional index was the highest figure since July 2022
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House Committee Goes After Fun-Hating Ticket Bots
- The bill goes after non-human ticket buyers that seem to get all the concert tickets before anyone else has a chance
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Simplified Bullying Law Moves Ahead in Senate
- HF 865 focuses on a straightforward, individual-centered approach rooted in observable behavior, universal standards, and personal responsibility, avoiding an overreach into cultural or ideological territory
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Iowa Ranks 4th in Best States to Practice Medicine
- Iowa ranked 4th overall but 1st for lowest healthcare costs
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - March 27, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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House Passes Legislation on Work and Nutrition Assistance
- House File 748 will reduce the dependence of low-income Iowans on public assistance and will help them move up the economic ladder.
- House File 970 requires healthy food based on necessary nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which serves low income Iowans who are disproportionately affected by obesity
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Protecting Human Trafficking Victims, Stopping Human Smuggling
- House File 572 defines what qualifies as smuggling, including using vehicles transport individuals while concealing them from law enforcement
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House Republicans Strengthen Election Integrity
- 277 noncitizens were registered to vote
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Property Tax Cut for Childcare Centers
- When costs go down for childcare centers, more slots open and prices are more affordable
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - March 20, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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State’s Economic Forecasting Panel: Iowa’s Economy is Resilient and Strong
- The panel concluded that Iowa is in a relatively good position
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Restrictions on Classroom Cell Phone Use Pass House
- School districts currently restricting cell phones report academic improvement, reduced distractions, mental health gains
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New Legislation Targets Gift Card Fraud in Iowa
- As criminals get craftier, the law has to evolve
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House Ways and Means Exempts More Retirement Income
- To be eligible for the retirement income exclusion, a person must be disabled, at least 55 years of age, or be the surviving spouse of an individual
This Week's House GOP Newsletter - March 13, 2025
Highlights in this edition:
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Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Schools
- The program connects Iowa schools with local farmers and small businesses
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House Advances Mental Health Legislation
- HF 509 adds autism coverage under the hawk-i program
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HF 472 Protects the Free Speech of Iowans
- If someone attempts to sue an individual for sharing thoughts or opinions, there is an option to ask the court to quickly dismiss the lawsuit
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Nuisance Goose Legislation Moves Ahead
- Geese will be aligned with other nuisance animals such as raccoons, opossums, and skunks