Capitol Highlights

Greetings from Capitol Hill:
Moving forward from “Funnel week”, we have entered the part of Session where a large part of the work is done on the floor of the House and Senate. At this time, committee meetings have slowed down and we have longer days due to debate. Several bills were passed out of the House this week and are in different stages in the process of a bill becoming law. Below is a list of some of the bills that I thought would be of interest to you.
HF 2310
This bill would remove the requirement to get a permit to haul straw, stover, hay, etc. but a wide load sign would still be necessary. The bill also increases the allowable width for hauling these items to 12’ 5”.
HF 2238
This bill would add food stands operated by minors to the list of places that are not considered food establishments. Stands that would qualify as “a stand operated by a minor” would have to be run by a minor (or minors). They would have to be run on private property, with the permission of the property owner, and could not be permanent establishments. A minor (or minors) could not sell alcoholic beverages, or food that is time or temperature sensitive to safety at these stands. The bill would prevent the adoption or enforcement of a rule that would make it necessary for a minor to pay a fee or have a license to be able to run one of these stands.
HF 2197
This bill revises the rural rotation qualification for residencies that are receiving funding from the Medical Residency Training State Matching Grants Program, so that the residencies apply specifically to family medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. The bill would do the same thing for the rural rotation qualification at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. This effectively gets more specialty residents into the rural communities.
HF 2383
This bill would require the University of Iowa to make sure that at least 75 percent of the students they accept into their medical and dentistry programs are Iowans or people attending undergraduate school in Iowa. Following a student’s residency or graduation from the University of Iowa’s medical or dentistry programs, the University would have to gather some information on these students including whether or not they stay in Iowa.
HF 2360
This bill changes the requirement for people age 72 or older from having to renew their driver’s license every two years. Under this bill they would only have to renew it every six years until they turn 78.
HF 2291
I was the floor manager for this bill. This bill would allow the College Student Aid Commission to begin a 501(c)(3) for accepting private or public funds. These funds will be used to give Iowans financial assistance with their college education and to run the College Student Aid Commission.
HF 2235
This bill would permanently disqualify an individual from getting a CDL if they were convicted of human trafficking while driving a commercial vehicle.
HF 2340
In Iowa, taxpayers can withdraw money from the Iowa Educational Savings Plan Trust to pay for special education beneficiaries, tax-free. These beneficiaries must be in elementary or secondary education. This bill would expand the definition of “elementary or secondary school” to include schools that are out-of-state.
Other Updates:
I have been working on the K-12 School Transportation Bill for five years now. This Tuesday I had the privilege of watching the Governor sign it into law. Before this bill became law, the schools had to take money for transportation costs out of the funds allotted by the state for education. The money being used for transportation was money that could have been put into the classroom. Rural schools were feeling the effects of this the most. With this new law, schools that qualify will receive funds for the purpose of transportation.
My next forum will be in Estherville at the Regional Wellness Center on March 7 at 10 a.m. There will be three forums in Winnebago County, March 20, and one in Kossuth County, March 21.
I truly appreciate that you have elected me to this office. I know that we will not always agree, but I desire to do the best job that I can for you. If you have any questions please email, call, write, or meet with me.
My e-mail is: tedd.gassman@legis.iowa.gov
My cell phone number is: 515-538-0117.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Breaking News feed
Comment Here