This Week at the Statehouse – Week 14

It’s been another week and no fiscal year 2019 (FY 19) budget targets being released. Next Tuesday, April 17, is the scheduled last day of the session.  Because we have not seen any budget bills to date, it is unlikely the 2018 Legislative Session will end on Tuesday.

This week, the House Republicans released their tax plan. The bill, HF 2489, passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday by a party-line vote of 13-10. The bill is eligible to be debated by the full House next week. The Senate previously approved their tax reform bill on February 28th, SF 2383, by a 29-21 vote. On Thursday, the Senate is also working on a new tax reform plan. However, that plan has not been filed yet.

The House Ways and Means Committee also passed a bill this week that would exempt textbooks and other course materials sold for college courses from Iowa sales taxes. This would include when sold from private bookstores. HF 2486 is now eligible to be debated by the full House.

Finally, the Governor signed two bills of interest this week:

HF 2297 – Makes changes to when boilers and water heaters need to be inspected.

SF 481 – Requires enforcement of immigration laws and prohibits sanctuary cities.