Capitol Highlights

Greetings from Capitol Hill:

Bills Introduced:
This week I have filed a new bill, HF 78, relating to the earliest school start date. This bill gives Iowa K-12 schools permission to start after the last day of the Iowa State Fair.
HF 117, relating to the composition of county compensation boards, intends to have counties form compensation boards from city council members and county trustees, appointed by a temporary board of peers, to serve as the county compensation board. Similar to the rules of the bill before 1977, county supervisors would determine the percent of increase for county employees. The law was changed in 1977 to allow county employees to choose the compensation board.

Committee Bills:
After the House began assigning bills to their respective committees this week, committee chairs then assigned bills to a subcommittee. I have been assigned to work on an amendment for HSB 18 coming out of the Education Committee to modifying provisions relating to the SAVE program. The subcommittee is working to ensure that schools have safety measures in place before using the funds for athletic purposes.

House Study Bills:
HSB 18 is an act relating to school funding by modifying provisions relating to the collection of sales tax for deposit in the secure an advanced vision for education fund, provisions relating to and prerequisites for the use of tax revenue from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, and provisions relating to the calculation of the additional property tax levy, and making appropriations.
HSB 17 is an act relating to assessment scores set by the Department of Education for successful completion of a practitioner preparation program for initial teacher licensure and providing for related matters.

Going Forward:
This week the House Education Committee met to discuss options of supplementary state aid, school transportation costs, and adjustments to the Secure an Advanced Vision of Education (SAVE) initiative (formerly known as the Statewide School Infrastructure Sales and Services Tax). Changes to SAVE passed the House last year, but were not taken up by the Senate. We are taking last year’s bill and making changes on it.
Representative Gassman currently serves on the Education Committee, Education Appropriations Budget Subcommittees (Joint), Economic Growth Committee, Local Government Committee, and Environmental Protection Committee.  
It is the direct intent of “Capitol Highlights” to submit an objective, non-partisan report of the bills, and business of the Iowa Legislature.
Representative Gassman asks that his constituents reach out to him at any time with questions, thoughts, concerns, or ideas at tedd.gassman@legis.iowa.gov or by cell at 515.538.0117.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

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

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