Senate proposals approved with strong bipartisan support that the Iowa House failed to consider –
Statement by Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids:
“Below are ten bills that passed the Iowa Senate with strong bipartisan support. They focus on job creation, growing Iowa’s economy, health care and public safety. Unfortunately, the Iowa House failed to debate these bipartisan opportunities to move Iowa forward.”
Small business health care tax credit: SF 506– Help 60,000 Iowa businesses with 10 or fewer employees by providing a tax credit to defray the cost of employee health insurance. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-0.
Supporting the use of alternative fuel vehicles: SF520 – Tax credits for electric and natural gas vehicle infrastructure, which would create jobs and provide a long-term, environmentally superior alternative to dependence on foreign oil. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 47-3.
Working families’ tax cut: SF2161 – Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to cut taxes for 260,000 working families (home to 37 percent of Iowa’s children) and boosting our local economy. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 48-0.
Buy American when spending public dollars: SF2287 – Preference for American-made products to be used on public projects, unless those products cost 5 percent more than other products. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 37-13.
Encourage locally-owned renewable energy: SF2326 – Add renewable energy production tax credits for locally-owned projects to create jobs and help the environment. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 41-9.
Buy Iowan when spending state dollars: SF2302 – Give Iowa companies an opportunity to match a lower bid when the state is purchasing goods and services if the Iowa company is within 5 percent or $10,000 of the lowest bidder. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 35-15.
Require autism coverage: SF2128 – Require insurance companies to provide coverage of autism spectrum disorders. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 43-7.
Alzheimer’s support strategy: SF2270 – Establish a comprehensive strategy to help people with Alzheimer’s and their families. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 44-6.
Close the “justice gap” for victims of child sexual abuse: SF2295 – Extend the statute of limitations to 10 years from the date they turn 18 for victims of child sexual abuse to bring a civil lawsuit. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 49-0.
Statewide public safety training center: SF2335 – Establish a governing board and funding mechanism for coordinated statewide programs and facilities for police, fire and other public safety personnel and volunteers to improve training and reduce the burden on property taxes. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 35-13.
