The following is a legislative update from Republican State Rep. Shannon Latham, representing portions of Franklin, Hamilton, Story and Wright counties in Iowa House District 55:
Committee and subcommittee work was light during Week 9 of the 2023 legislative session as we await the Iowa Senate to send us more of their bills for consideration. However, we had a full debate schedule and passed 55 bills off the Iowa House floor.
Many bills passed unanimously through the Iowa House, including:
– House File 425 that provides a newborn safety device under the Newborn Safe Haven law. This device is a padded, climate-controlled receptacle with a motion sensor and dual alarm system that calls 911 after it’s opened.
– House File 630 increases penalties for people convicted of human trafficking. It removes deferred judgments and suspended sentences for these crimes.
– House File 345 provides the option to Iowans when renewing their title registration to donate $1 or more to the Scenic Byways Enhancement Fund. Iowa has 14 Scenic Byways that currently receive $500,000 annually through the Transportation Commission for corridor management, signs and marketing.
One bill we passed that received lots of media attention is House File (HF) 597, which removes sexually explicit materials from school libraries. This bill does not ban these books from public libraries nor does it prohibit parents from purchasing these books and reading them with their children. However, this bill requires books in school libraries to be age appropriate and expands the definition of “age appropriate” in Iowa Code.
If you find yourself skeptical about the need for this bill, as I was, follow the links below. Please note that passages and images from these three examples are explicit:
- Let’s Talk About It suggests safe ways to consume porn.
- Gender Queer contains graphic illustrations of oral sex.
- Push details disturbing instances of incest and sexual molestation.
There is no context that calls for these explicit materials to be in schools. Schools can find books that contain diverse characters, tell diverse stories, and connect with a diverse audience without these explicit portions.
Iowa High School Voter Registration Day on March 22
I am joining Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate to encourage high school students to participate March 22 in Voter Registration Day. Students need to provide their driver’s license, non-operator ID, or last four digits of their social security number. For more information about how to register to vote in Iowa or to update your voter registration, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov/RegistertoVote.
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Sukup Manufacturing
As the world’s largest family-owned and operated manufacturer of grain storage, grain drying and handling equipment, and steel buildings, Sukup Manufacturing has held more than 100 U.S. patents. The Sheffield-based company continues to improve its offerings to make grain storage, drying, and handling better for their customers.
Constituents in the Capitol
Cattlemen in the Capitol is one of my favorite days at the Statehouse. What’s not to love about starting one’s day with prayer, The Pledge and beef brisket breakfast burritos? After all, beef has ZIP. Zinc, Iron, and Protein (ZIP) are three nutrients that are especially important for girls and boys during their growing years.
This week I had the pleasure of meeting Story County Conservation Director Mike Cox and Parks Superintendent Ryan Wiemold during county conservation day at the statehouse. I look forward to visiting with them again soon at a Story County conservation event.
