Iowa Senator Doug Campbell slams “unnecessary legal attacks” on potent pesticides

The following is a legislative update from Republican State Senator Doug Campbell of Mason City, representing portions of Worth, Mitchell, Cerro Gordo and Floyd counties in Iowa Senate District 30:

It’s been another busy and productive week at the Capitol, but we started on a somber note.

Remembering Representative Martin Graber

We were deeply saddened by the passing of Representative Martin Graber last week. Many of us attended his visitation and funeral on Monday and Tuesday, paying our respects to a valued member of the Iowa Legislature. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.

Strengthening Education in Iowa

Governor Reynolds introduced a new education bill focused on improving math proficiency and civics education. The plan provides targeted support for students struggling to meet proficiency standards and equips teachers with the resources needed for success. Additionally, high school students will be required to score at least 60% on a U.S. civics test to graduate. Raising the bar in education is critical for preparing Iowa students for their futures, and I look forward to more discussions on how we can continue to strengthen our schools.

Keeping Iowa’s Energy Reliable and Affordable

Another big initiative from Governor Reynolds this week was a comprehensive energy bill aimed at keeping electricity prices low and our grid strong. Iowa already ranks high in power grid reliability while maintaining affordability for consumers, but as energy demand increases, we must be proactive in ensuring Iowans continue to have access to affordable, reliable energy.

Supporting Local Pharmacies

Good news for small-town pharmacies! A bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) passed out of subcommittee in both the House and Senate this week. This bill reduces unnecessary regulations on PBMs, which will help increase reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies. Small-town pharmacies play a critical role in their communities, and this bill is a step in the right direction to level the playing field and ensure Iowans can continue to access affordable medications locally.

Protecting Iowa’s Agriculture

We also continued discussions on Senate Study Bill 1051, which deals with “duty to warn” labels on pesticide products. Out-of-state trial lawyers have been targeting agriculture companies over label regulations—even when they follow federal guidelines. Farmers depend on these essential tools to grow the food that feeds the world, and we need to protect them from unnecessary legal attacks that drive up costs for everyone.

Election Integrity Measures Showing Results

Since 2017, Senate Republicans have been working to protect the integrity of Iowa’s elections. Measures like voter ID, absentee ballot protections, election audits, and uniform procedures have helped strengthen our system. This week, the Secretary of State reported that over 180,000 voter registrations were canceled after years of inactivity, ensuring our voter rolls remain accurate and secure.

Despite claims that these laws would suppress voter turnout, the opposite has happened—Iowans have more confidence in our elections than ever before. In 2024, voter turnout reached 74.17%, up from 72.77% in 2016. We remain committed to making it easy to vote and hard to cheat in Iowa.

Hitting the Ground Running!

As your senator, I’m not just here to sit on the sidelines—I’m here to get things done. This week, I officially chaired several subcommittees, diving into important legislation and keeping the process moving forward. There’s a lot of work to do, and I’m honored to lead these discussions to deliver real results for the people of District 30.

We have our first townhall Saturday morning at Mason City Library in the Mason City Room from 10 AM to noon. We also have a townhall in Osage on March 29 at 9 AM at the fire station, 432 Main St. Come on out! We would love to meet you and hear your concerns.

There’s a lot more work ahead, but I’m proud to be fighting for YOU. As always, my office is open—don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, concerns, or ideas.