Iowa legislature completes first funnel
Every year, as the legislative session continues, the Iowa legislature uses a mechanism called the “funnel” to weed out legislation and focus on items of the most importance. Any policy bill that is not related to taxes or spending must be passed out of committee, or it is “dead” for the rest of the session. The Iowa legislature completed its first funnel last Friday, March 7. While the surviving bills are not across the finish line, they have completed the first key step in becoming law.
The Chamber has been fighting for pro-business policy proposals, and many of them remain eligible for debate. Our priorities have focused on reorienting economic development incentives, providing for a pro-business tax structure and regulatory changes that drive efficiency changes for local government transit operations. Additionally, we take seriously our commitment to fighting for small business – this year we are pursuing changes to the Targeted Small Business Program that allows more businesses to be eligible to participate in the program. Iowa’s next funnel, when bills must be passed out of committee, comes on April 4.
Here are the Iowa bills the Chamber is tracking, and where they stand:
Priority bills supported by the Chamber
- HF872 (Fmr. HF112): A bill increasing the maximum annual gross income for an enterprise to qualify as a "targeted small business."
- HF895 (Fmr. HSB193): A bill eliminating the population threshold for counties to administer a Regional Transit District.
- HSB305/SSB1205 (Funnel Proof): A bill making significant changes to Iowa’s Economic Development Incentive Programs.
- SF504 (Fmr. SSB1173)/HSB114 (Funnel Proof): A bill reducing the Iowa Unemployment Insurance Tax on employers.
- SF584 (Fmr. SSB1193): A bill making various changes to Iowa alcoholic beverage laws, including clarifying changes that address compliance issues with events happening the weekend of the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
- HF533 (Fmr. HSB128): A bill allowing the State of Iowa to join the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact.
- SSB1157 (Funnel Proof): A bill making changes to Iowa’s gambling taxes and creating the Major Events and Tourism Grant Program.
- HSB162/SSB1182 (to be renumbered): A bill relating to local government regulation of accessory dwelling units.
- SF445 (Fmr. SSB1135)/HF623 (Fmr. HSB145): A bill making changes to Iowa’s early childhood programs, including creation of the Child Care Continuum Partnership Grant Pilot Program.
Neutral/Monitoring
- HSB313/SSB1208 (Funnel Proof): A bill to reform local property taxes.
- HF760: A bill authorizing cities to establish Self-Supported Entertainment Areas.
- HF722/SF222 (Funnel Proof): A bill making omnibus technical changes to Iowa Workforce Development programs.
Priority bills that did not pass the funnel
- SF45/HF28:A bill to authorize the creation of land redevelopment trusts.
- SSB1183 (only died in Senate): A bill eliminating the population threshold for counties to administer a Regional Transit District.