Iowa House Report

Tomorrow marks the end of funnel week. Under Joint Rules, bills that fail to clear a House or Senate Committee by the funnel deadline are no longer eligible for debate during the session. Only bills that remain in the Appropriations or Ways and Means Committee are funnel-proof.

This week, the House of Representatives worked tirelessly to pass bills out of committee so that they would be eligible for debate on the floor. As I read the bills we passed out of committee I cannot help but notice the recurring themes. In determining our priority legislation, we focused on making our children safer, better educated, and healthier than they are now. We focused on creating jobs and providing affordable health care and we focused on preserving Iowa's natural beauty.

As I stated in my speech on the first day of the Legislative Session, we need to focus on the following:

* Becoming competitive with other states in our tax structure;

* Encouraging investment in our communities;

* Improving our regulatory climate while preserving our environment;

* Providing job training and retraining opportunities so qualified workers are ready to fill new positions;

* Offering a first class educational system so that our young people are prepared to enter the work force; and

* Ensuring that our families can grow up in safe neighborhoods.

The following bills are examples of our journey towards our goal:

Commerce

The House on Monday took the final steps to implement deregulation of the state's three rate-regulated telephone utilities with the adoption of the Senate amendment to House File 277. Governor Vilsack has indicated that he will sign the bill once it arrives at his desk. Even before final passage, the bill began to bear fruit as Qwest announced plans to open up a call center in Sioux City. This action will create an estimated 450 jobs.

On Tuesday, the Commerce committee passed House Study Bill 15, the language from the medical malpractice reform bill passed by the Legislature last year. The bill limits non-economic damages to $250,000 in suits against hospitals, nursing homes, and health care professionals. This bill attempts to halt the rising cost of healthcare and ensure healthcare access for rural Iowans.

Economic Growth

On Tuesday, March 8, House Study Bill 139, also known as the Texarkana Bill, passed the House Economic Growth Committee on a 17-4 vote. This bill would give cities on the state's borders the flexibility to reduce or eliminate their income tax. This is important to cities that must compete with border states that may have a more attractive tax climate than Iowa. HSB 139 now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

In addition, we will take a comprehensive approach to economic development and reinstate the Values Fund.

Education

Although the bill that authorizes FY 07 school funding has been already signed into law, the Education Committee was faced with many aimed at improving Iowa's educational system. This week, the House Education Committee passed the bill that renews the $30 million Class Size/Early Intervention program for a seventh year. This money is used to improve reading and math skills. Districts can also use the money to lower class size in grades 1 through 3 to a goal of 17 students for every one teacher.

In addition, during the upcoming appropriations process, we will honor our promise to Iowa's Independent and Community Colleges.

Environmental Protection

On Wednesday, March 9, the House Environmental Protection Committee amended and passed House File 414 by a 21-0 vote. The bill proposes to tighten and create environmental regulations dealing with how wastes from septic systems and portable or fixed tanks holding raw, unstable human waste are disposed. This legislation was spurred by recent news stories and reports that 'porta-potty' contents and septic tank sludge were being applied to land in a manner that not only creates objectionable odors to adjoining property owners, but may be imperiling water quality through contamination with human pathogens.

Natural Resources

This week, the House Natural Resources Committee took up and passed HF 304, a bill designed to increase the number of deer taken as well as more accurately count how many deer have been taken. This bill provides a comprehensive approach to reducing the deer population, which will help to ensure safe travel on Iowa's roads.

Human Resources

Today, the Human Resources Committee passed HSB 269, also known as the Laci Peterson Bill. This bill provides that as to victims of murder or manslaughter, a person includes an unborn child.

These bills only represent a small portion of the two-hundred plus bills we have passed out of committee. We take our job seriously and we look forward to working towards a better future for Iowa and its citizens.

Legislative Forum

I and Sen. Mark Zieman, R-Postville, will host a legislative forum Saturday, March 19 at 9 a.m. at the Harpers Cafe in Harpers Ferry. You are invited to discuss issues coming before the General Assembly. The event is free and open to the public.

Next Week in the House

Budget Subcommittees will begin debating.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you have. I can be reached by e-mail at chuck.gipp@legis.state.ia.us or by phone at 515-281-3054.