Iowa Senator Doug Campbell slams local governments for “pushing back” on property tax reform

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:

We’ve just wrapped up Week 12 of the legislative session, which included our second major deadline of the year. That meant long days packed with committee meetings, productive conversations with stakeholders, and visits from constituents—my favorite part of the job! Here’s a look at what moved forward this week:

Paid Parental Leave for State Employees

We advanced House File 889, one of Governor Reynolds’ key priorities, through the Workforce Committee. This bill provides paid parental leave for state employees—an important step in supporting working families and ensuring Iowa remains a competitive and attractive place to work.

Boosting Rural Health Care Access

Another major priority, Senate File 575, focuses on coordinating and expanding health care workforce programs in rural Iowa. With many small towns struggling to attract and retain medical professionals, this bill aims to strengthen access to care where it’s needed most.

️ Preparing for Disasters Before They Strike

After recent disasters involving floods and tornadoes, we learned a lot about where our systems can improve. That’s where Senate File 591 comes in—it updates emergency disaster recovery and housing assistance policies based on what worked best during past responses. Proactive planning means better protection for Iowa families when the unexpected happens.

Expanding Landowner Protections

This week, the Senate Commerce Committee took action on House File 639, a bill aimed at strengthening private property rights across Iowa. Originally passed by the House, the Senate committee added a 34-page amendment to expand and clarify the protections in the bill.

Now, the revised bill is eligible for floor debate. There’s still work to do to get it across the finish line.

Stay tuned—this is a critical piece of legislation for protecting landowners from overreach, and I’ll keep you updated as it moves forward.

Hands-Free Bill Signed Into Law

On April 2, Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 22—Iowa’s new hands-free law—officially making us the 31st state in the nation to adopt this life-saving policy.

“It’s especially meaningful that we did so on April 2, exactly two years to the day Roland Taylor was tragically killed by a distracted driver,” said Gov. Reynolds. “It was an honor to sign this bill in his memory and in memory of every Iowan lost to distracted driving.”

This legislation bans holding an electronic device while driving and is designed to keep drivers focused and roads safer for everyone. It goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Locally, this law carries great significance. Jenny Buhls-Vrba from Mason City was hit by a car in 2024 while walking—the driver was distracted by their phone. She later died from her injuries. Stories like Jenny’s added urgency to this effort, and we’re grateful for her family’s courage in helping bring awareness to the issue.

Good News for Iowa Taxpayers

WalletHub just ranked Iowa in the top 10 states for taxpayer return on investment (ROI)—that’s proof our conservative budgeting and responsible spending are working. When taxpayer dollars are respected and well-managed, everyone wins.

The Urgent Need for Property Tax Reform

Property taxes are front and center again as assessment letters hit mailboxes across the state. And Iowans are speaking up—loud and clear.

While House File 718 was passed in 2023 to offer relief, many local governments continue to push back, even while increasing spending. Our new proposal, Senate Study Bill 1208, aims to overhaul Iowa’s entire property tax system and bring relief where it’s desperately needed.

– Eliminates the outdated “rollback”
– Limits excessive revenue growth
– Makes the system more fair, transparent, and predictable for families and businesses

The Tax Foundation recently confirmed: “Iowa lawmakers are on the right track… That’s reform worth doing.”

As always, I’m honored to represent you and proud of the progress we’re making together. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s keep Iowa strong and moving forward.