(NIT photo)
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:
Second Funnel Week Ends Without Debate
No floor debate was held during Week 12 of the 2025 legislative session as legislators focused on committee work to keep bills alive through the second funnel date. Bills that originated in the House had to clear through both a Senate subcommittee and committee – and bills that originated in the Senate had to clear through both a House subcommittee and committee by April 4 to remain eligible for floor consideration.
Exceptions to the second funnel deadline are bills in the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Government Oversight Committees. Legalizing Acts and bills placed on the unfinished business calendar also are exempt from funnel deadlines.
A few notable bills that cleared the second funnel this week include:
· SF 146 relates to the use or creation of bots to purchase event tickets on the internet and provides civil penalties. It defines “bot” as an automated software program that performs automatic and repetitive tasks that is designed to impersonate or replicate human activity on the internet. The bill provides that a person shall not use or create a bot to purchase tickets in excess of the posted limit for any one internet ticket sale. It also prohibits a person from circumventing or disabling an electronic queue, waiting period, pre-sale code, or other sales volume limitation system associated with an internet ticket sale. The bill was passed unanimously by the Economic Growth & Technology Committee on which I serve.
· HF 573, which I introduced at the request of a constituent, was passed on April 2 by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill allows the clerk of court to transfer paperwork to another county for involuntary commitment.
· SF 491, which amends existing laws restricting remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) over agricultural animal facilities, passed through the House Ag Committee. This bill aims to protect the privacy and security of farming operations from intrusive surveillance. It further outlines the conditions under which a person may petition for injunctive relief against unauthorized RPA use. It also includes penalties for violations categorized as misdemeanors with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Distracted Driving Bill Signed into Law
Surrounded by Iowans who have lost loved ones due to traffic incidents involving distracted drivers, Gov. Kim Reynolds on April 2 signed the Distracted Driving bill into law. Iowa joins 30 other states in banning handheld cell phone use while driving.
Senate File 22 changed Iowa’s texting while driving ban into a ban on using electronic devices while driving. Drivers can use their device hands-free. If a driver violates this law, they are guilty of a simple misdemeanor and must pay a $100 fine.
“According to a recent study, a 10% reduction in distracted driving will prevent more than 1,200 crashes, 700 injuries and six deaths, as well as over $50 million in economic damages,” said Gov. Reynolds.
(TOP PHOTO: “During Association of Iowa County Fairs Day at the Capitol, I met with the association’s past president Jon Baltes of Hampton and 2024 Iowa State Fair Queen Elli Blackford.”)
