House Happenings by Representative Baxter, March 17, 2022
Another busy week in Des Moines. Funnel week is drawing to a close and as expected bills are being prioritized. That means that many more bills are going to die this week.
One popular bill that I had close to 100 emails in support of is SF2309. It is called “The Raw Milk Bill.” It would allow for small produces of ten dairy cows or goats to sell unpasteurized milk. 44 other states currently have provisions for this and there are hundreds of articles on potential health benefits. The bill passed the Senate, but at this point has stalled out in the House. The dairy industry lobby worked hard against this bill. The bottom line is fear that it might cut into profits. I do understand that the public outcry is getting so loud in Iowa that the topic might be on their membership discussion at their annual meeting in December. With huge demand, I personally see it as a potential new market.
Let me share some other news from this week in the Iowa House:
Increasing Access to Mental Health Care
• This week, we passed three pieces of legislation to increase Iowans’ access to mental health care.
• In past years, we’ve taken meaningful steps forward to increase Iowans’ access to care. We created a children’s mental health framework, passed telehealth payment parity, established a steady funding stream for the state’s mental health regions.
• Now, one of the biggest hurdles in getting Iowans access to care, is the need for more providers, particularly for the most high-need patients.
• Iowa ranks 44th in the nation for psychiatrists per capita. Increasing access to mental health care is a huge priority for Iowans and these bills will help more Iowans get the care they deserve.
House File 2529 appropriates funding for 12 new psychiatry residencies at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). The residencies will prioritize Iowans in the application process.
House File 2549 establishes a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for Iowans that agree to practice in Iowa for at least five years.
House File 2546 requires Iowa Medicaid to establish a rate for psychiatric intensive care in Iowa. This will ensure that the health care professionals providing care for the most difficult mental health patients are being compensated appropriately.
Leveling the Playing Field for Landowners
• This week, the State Government Committee passed legislation to provide protections for landowners negotiating with CO2 pipeline projects in Iowa.
• The current language states that pipelines cannot seek or use eminent domain before March 1, 2023. At this time, the Legislature will be back in session and prepared to take further action if necessary.
• The goal of this legislation is not to interfere or stop any pipeline projects in Iowa. The goal is to allow landowners and pipeline builders to negotiate on a level playing field, without the threat of eminent domain being abused.
• Private property rights work both ways – for landowners who want to do business with pipelines and for those that don’t. We believe this compromise respects the rights of both sides.
• This bill would allow negotiations with landowners and pipelines to go on without interference, but on a level playing field.
Iowa’s Economy is Strong, Historic Tax Cut is Sustainable
• Iowa House Republicans have earned a reputation of providing tax relief that is responsible and sustainable.
• We have said repeatedly that the historic tax cut for all Iowans we passed earlier this year was sustainable and would allow the state to continue to fund Iowans’ priorities.
• The latest revenue projections from the state’s Revenue Estimating Committee provided further proof of this.
• General Fund revenue is expected to come in even stronger than what the three-member panel projected in December.
• For the current fiscal year, state revenues are expected to be $9.1711 billion through June 30. That amount is $110.5 million higher than what the REC had forecast at their December meeting. The new forecast expects state revenue to grow by 4.2% for the year.
• This means there will be even more money in the Taxpayer Relief Fund than expected when the Legislature passed tax cuts earlier this session.
• The fund is now projected to finish Fiscal Year 2022 with a balance of over $2 billion.
• As a reminder, the tax plan passed and signed by the Governor earlier this session will reduce all Iowans’ income tax rate to a fair and flat 3.9%, exempt retirement income from taxes, and create a new income exemption option for retired farmers. Increasing Access to Mental Health Care
The View From Here by Senator Dennis Guth
Week Ten brought the second legislative deadline when a bill must pass on the floor of one chamber to remain “live” for the session. It was a generally slower week for me with the exception of Wednesday.
Early Wednesday morning, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution supporting the people and nation of Ukraine. Iowa and Ukraine have a prosperous relationship, we commend Ukraine for a free and independent nation since 1991. We condemn the horrendous acts committed by Russia against the nation of Ukraine and send our prayers and encouragement to their people.
We also passed out of committee a bill that would move Iowa to permanent daylight savings time. That would mean we would not need to adjust our clocks each spring and fall. This bill goes into effect when all of the states surrounding Iowa pass the same law. Several states have done so already, so it is possible this will happen in the next 5 years.
In the same committee, we passed a bill expanding Iowa’s Safe Haven Act from 30 days to 90 days. What this bill does is allow a woman to relinquish custody of her child at a hospital with no legal repercussions up to 90 days after birth. It is our hope this will result in better homes and a brighter future for these children.
As we slow down and dig deeper into fewer issues, it is hard to see certain bills I have worked on not move forward. These are bills that for the most part took hours of research—including many networks and relationship building. It is still possible we may see a bill on limits to vaccine mandates and passports make it through.
One of my favorite things to do as legislator is to meet people. Each year, hundreds of people, young and old, in and out of state, and of various nationalities, come to the Capitol. Many come to tour the building and to visit with legislators. United States citizens have a great privilege to ask legislators questions and to express their views on issues. I encourage you all to visit the Capitol and take time to get to know your legislator.
Here is a fun fact about traveling abroad as a U.S. citizen: Did you know that a U.S. passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world? With a U.S. passport, you can go to 180 destinations for short term trips without a visa. You can take trips abroad for as long as you want and as often as you want. And if there is trouble, you can get assistance in any U.S. Embassy.
This fact reminds us that we have a great and exceptional country. As citizens, let’s do our best to protect and defend the Constitution — the laws of the United States. Our government works best when people get involved at the grassroots level. More than ever, we need all boots on the ground. I am grateful for all who are involved now and continue to persevere. It makes a big difference to all of us in the legislature.
I will have a town hall meeting April 2 in Algona at the City Hall at 10 AM. I am planning on town halls in Hancock County on April 8, time and place to be announced.
