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Chamber legislative update

March 10, 2021
Iowa capitol

The Quad Cities Chamber team is actively monitoring legislation and advocating for our Regional Advocacy Priorities to support our region. See the bill tracking page for a complete list of the legislation we are monitoring, supporting and opposing. 

Federal

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 10, passed an updated version of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan by a vote of 220-211. With the Senate having already approved the package, the legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk, where it is expected to be signed this week. 

  • The final bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for individuals earning up to $75,000 and couples earning up to $150,000. Unemployment insurance payments remain at $300 per week through Sept. 6, and the bill includes $7.25 billion in new money for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
  • The relief package does not include any provisions related to raising the federal minimum wage.  

Iowa

Gov. Reynolds on Monday, March 8, signed 17 bills into law, including HF 418, which eliminates the multi-residential property tax classification beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The Quad Cities Chamber successfully advocated for an amendment that continues to permit Self-Supporting Municipal Improvement Districts (SSMID), such as those managed by the Downtown Davenport Partnership and the Downtown Bettendorf Organization, to collect revenue from apartment buildings going forward. While the multi-residential tax classification will go away, residential properties that meet the definition of an apartment building (3 or more units) will continue to contribute to SSMID tax rolls, ensuring business improvement district services can continue to be provided fairly and effectively across the state.  

We are continuing to track legislation that made it through Iowa’s first legislative funnel, including the following bills: 

  • SF 193 bars employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination of employees.
  • SF 295 creates the Iowa Housing Tax Credit Program. 
  • HF 796 expands broadband over the next three years.

The following bills did not make it through the funnel and are now dead:

  • HF 122 would have gradually increased Iowa’s minimum wage to $15 by July 2025.
  • SF 149 would have eliminated the income tax and raised the State sale’s tax to 11%.
  • HF 156 would have repealed the Bottle Law, giving recyclers six months to recoup nickel deposits.
  • SF 28 would have limited the refundable research activities tax credits paid to Iowa corporations.

Illinois

Gov. Pritzker signed the Education and Workforce Equity Act, which makes changes to all levels of education, including: 

  • Requiring the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to annually assess all public school students entering kindergarten to measure their readiness.  
  • Reducing the AIM High Program matching funds requirement for public universities based on the percentage of low-income students enrolled at the public institution. 
  • Requiring the Illinois Workforce Investment Board to conduct a feasibility study of all workforce development programs funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. 

The Illinois legislature also returned to action, with the House meeting virtually and Senate resuming work in Springfield. For more information on Illinois’ upcoming legislative schedules, please see Senate schedules and House schedules or click the chat box icon to the right to contact our Government Affairs team!