Apr 16, 2021

This Week at the Statehouse – Week 14

This week, the House and Senate continued to work on budget bills within their respective appropriations committees. We expect full floor debate on budget bills to start next week. The House and Senate are still not in agreement on state appropriations funding.

The difference with the House and Senate in the education budget bill is the House provides zero increase to the Regents universities (including UNI) and freezes tuition. The Senate restores last year’s $8 million cut to the Regents universities (including UNI) but provides no new dollars. The Senate does not freeze tuition.

Budget bills the Board of Regents are following:

The House will start:

  • Agriculture & Natural Resources

HF 860  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF860&ga=89

SF 598 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF598&ga=89

  • Education

HF 868 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF868&ga=89

SF 596 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF596&ga=89

  • Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund

HF 862 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF862&ga=89
SF 600 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF600&ga=89

  • Federal Block Grants

The Senate will start:

  • Economic Development

SF 595 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF595&ga=89
HF 871 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF871&ga=89

  • Health & Human Services

SSB 1267 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SSB1267&ga=89

  • Standing Appropriations

The House also amended the Senate’s law enforcement omnibus bill, SF 342, this week. As amended by the House, the bill is an Act relating to public records including confidentiality, access, and enforcement of public violations; uniform commercial code filings; certain employment matters including certain benefits, workers’ compensation, civil service examinations, and sheriff salaries; qualified immunity; communications in professional confidence; law enforcement including officer rights and disciplinary actions, eluding law enforcement, and the carrying of firearms; assaults involving lasers; the enforcement of laws; public disorder, assault, harassment, criminal mischief, unlawful obstruction of certain highways, and disorderly conduct; civil liability for certain vehicle operators; and window tinting; and providing penalties. The bill is currently on the Senate Calendar with the House amendment.

If you have any questions, please email me at mary.braun@uni.edu.