This Week at the Statehouse – Week 14

Lawmakers went home this week and are now “on-call”. The majority party in the House and Senate are negotiating behind the scenes to come to an agreement on the state budget. We do not know how long this will take. Lawmakers will return and vote on the bills when agreements are made.

The 100th day of the 2022 General Assembly in next Tuesday, April 19, and that is the last day they receive their daily expense pay. I can definitely say this legislative session will go longer than 100 days!

There was no additional movement on policy bills specifically affecting UNI this week. Please look at my previous posts to find any bills you’re interested in. A couple bills of interest that were voted on this week are as follows:

• SF 2383 is the Governor’s workforce regulation bill that has passed the Senate by a vote of 48-0. Division two of the bill applies to work-based learning. It would require the Department of Education to have a process for school boards to report annually on student participation in work-based learning programs. The Board of Educational Examiners would be required to develop a certification for work-based learning supervisors and this certification will be considered a professional development program. Prior to high school graduation, the students’ individualized career and academic plan would need to advise them how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid and must identify the coursework and work-based learning needed in grades nine through twelve to support the student’s postsecondary education and career options. The bill is currently on the House floor eligible for debate.
• If you want to read about the changes the House and Senate want to do on Iowa’s bottle bill, it’s SF 2378. The House amended the Senate’s bill this week and sent it back to the Senate.

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