Consituent Connection

The legislature had a lot of floor debate during this rainy week, but the sun finally came out on Thursday in Des Moines. Groundskeepers at the Capitol even mowed the lawn for the first time of the mowing season. The green grass marks springtime and songbirds returning to Iowa. It also marks the season in which weeds return. One of these weeds is Palmer amaranth, an invasive species that lowers crop yields. It has already been found in 48 counties. HF 410 put Palmer amaranth on the noxious weed list. The noxious weed list classification prohibits the import, sale, and distribution of the plant or its seed in Iowa. County weed commissioners have the authority to enter land in certain circumstances and to order a landowner to destroy the noxious weed on their property. They also keep roads clear of noxious weeds. County boards of supervisors or weed commissioners shall cooperate with the USDA and FSA in adopting and carrying out weed control programs. The bill is intended to protect farmers and ensure they are not forced into violation of their CRP contract by county boards of supervisors or weed commissioners.
The Senate also voted on a bill this week to restore your constitutional Second Amendment right with HF 517. HF 517 was a bipartisan piece of legislation and changes a variety of firearm laws in Iowa. A few of these include striking the state prohibition on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, allowing private investigators and security officers who are licensed to have a permit to carry to do so on school property while engaged in performance of their duties, and allowing pistols and revolvers to be carried in the Capitol building and surrounding grounds. The pistol or revolver must be concealed and the carrier must comply with all other state laws.
HF 517 also makes it a serious misdemeanor to carry a dangerous weapon while under the influence, states a permit to acquire weapons will be valid for five years, strikes the minimum age for a person to possess a handgun while under the supervision of a parent or guardian and, and requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the issuing officer to keep personally identifiable information of nonprofessional permit holders private. The release of this information requires a court order or consent of the permit holder. The bill also allows a person riding a snowmobile or ATV to carry a pistol or revolver without a retention holster and it protects property owners in unincorporated areas from noise complaints if they are lawfully shooting firearms on their property.
Additionally, the bill also puts into Iowa Code a ‘Stand Your Ground’ provision. This policy says a person may use reasonable force, including deadly force, if they have a reasonable belief the force is necessary to avoid injury or death to themselves or others. There is no duty to retreat. This provision also includes immunity from criminal and civil liability.
Reasonable force is defined as a force that is no more than a reasonable person in a like circumstance would judge to be necessary to prevent an injury or loss and can include deadly force if reasonable to avoid injury or risk to one’s life or the life or safety of another (which is current law). Reasonable force, including deadly force, may be used even if an alternative course of action is available, if the action entails a risk to life or safety, or that of a third party.
This week at the Capitol we also recognized past civil servants who have served our state. It was great to see and speak with so many great role model legislators. They are truly an inspiration to work on behalf of the people of Iowa. One recognition ceremony was the Pioneer Lawmaker celebration that is held every General Assembly. It honors lawmakers, legislative staff, and reporters for the work they have done to make Iowa so great. This year the honoree legislators were those who started their work in the Statehouse in 1997.
On Wednesday this week we also held the 50th Memorial Service. The Memorial Service recognizes former lawmakers who have passed away. Their families and friends attended the service to remember their loved ones as well. This was an event where the entire Statehouse could come together and remember those who have served before us.
In closing and as Iowa begins to “wake up” from its winter slumber, I would like to ask you to keep an extra eye out for bicyclists, especially the youth bicyclists. There is a tremendous amount of excitement in their eyes and minds as they get to ride those bikes again. Please keep your eyes out for them and help keep them safe.

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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