The following is a legislative update from State Representative Jane Bloomingdale (R–Northwood), representing District 60 – the western half of Cerro Gordo county, al of Worth and Mitchell counties, and a portion of Floyd county – in the Iowa Legislature:
Week fourteen included two days of debate, a busy Ways and Means committee, and an incredible amount of caucus. Caucus is a time to discuss, clarify, improve, or eliminate a bill. Some of the 26 bills passed on the House floor this week include:
SF 619 is the Governor’s Disaster Relief bill. Iowa has dealt with natural disasters such as tornados, derechos, and flash floods that leave behind extensive damage and harm that affects every Iowan. This bill establishes the Natural Hazard Mitigation Financing Program, expands the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program, and increases consumer protection by establishing licenses for all adjusters, appraisers, and umpires involved in insurance claims. These new programs and funds will help the state respond more quickly to natural disaster in the future. Moreover, this bill retroactively appropriates funds – approximately $13.6 million from the Iowa Economic Emergency Fund – towards home rehabilitation programs. Overall, this bill works to help Iowans that have been or will be affected by natural disasters.
HF 969 expands cancer coverage for our First Responders. The bill expands the definition of cancer for the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement Systems and Special Services Members of IPERS to all types of cancer. Current code outlines only 14 types of cancer covered for disability of death benefits.
SF277 makes improvements to our chronic absenteeism bill from last year. I heard from several superintendents about the cost of mailing certified letters, what constitutes an excused absence, and when a school engagement meeting would be required. This bill expands excused absences, eliminates the certified letter notification to allow regular mail or email, and requires a school engagement meeting only if the absences are negatively affecting academic progress.
SF 369 requires students in grades 9-12 to pass (60% or above) a multiple-choice United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation Many schools currently use this test as part of their Government or Civics courses required to graduate from high school. The Department of Education will develop and distribute this test to all schools.
Entire bills and minutes of our meeting can be looked up at http://www.legis.iowa.gov.
Starting on May 7, 2025, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card or another acceptable document (like a passport) to board domestic commercial flights. A REAL ID will also be required to access certain federal buildings or enter nuclear facilities. Check the upper-right corner of your driver’s license or ID. If there is a gold star, you have a REAL ID. You do NOT need a REAL ID to drive, vote, purchase alcohol or cigarettes, or to receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant credential, visit the Iowa DOT REAL ID website. To meet the federal requirements, you will need a document that proves your identity and date of birth, proves your social security number, and two documents that prove Iowa residency.
(TOP PHOTO: “Enjoyed the Annual Prayer Breakfast on Thursday with Representatives Shannon Lundgren, Carter Nordman, Pat Grassley, and Jacob Bossman.”)
