(SBA) - This was week 10 of the 2024 legislative session and marked the end of a significant “funnel”
date preventing a number of bills from advancing, but did see a significant number “make the cut”. Continued work will follow to get them through both chambers with the same language and to the governor for her potential signature. Confirmation of governor appointments, Ways and means bills (tax/revenue policy), and Appropriations (budget/spending) discussions will continue through the end of session, which is scheduled (but not limited to) Apr 16, 2024.
One bill I have mentioned before (and I sponsored a matching bill in the Senate) was the fetal development bill (often referred to as the “Baby Olivia video” bill), which did advance through funnel and is eligible to become law by session end. This common sense bill ensures that children in Iowa learn the basics of human development from conception to birth, watch a short ultrasound, and a short animated video using modern technology that accurately illustrates the wonder of a human in the womb. It is remarkable to me that this was even a controversial bill – but I am very thankful to see it move towards final passage.
HF2545, another education bill that started in the House and survived funnel, requires the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of the high school graduation requirements, core curriculum, content and educational standards. I have heard from many teachers how proscriptive the current education standards are, which diminishes their ability to truly teach, and I have little confidence in the focus and content of the “Iowa Core” curriculum that was introduced in years past, under Democrat leadership. I agree it is past time to do a comprehensive review of our curriculum and educational standards and am very supportive of this bill.
A few bills advanced through funnel related to school security, following the tragic school shooting in Perry. These bills appropriate funds, facilitate additional school resource officers (SRO), specify training requirements and enable schools to choose to arm fully qualified staff, as well as a focus on infrastructure changes to ensure safety in our public schools. I have heard wide support for most of these initiatives but some resistance to allowing school staff to carry a weapon - something that multiple schools in senate district #7 have expressed interest in doing and a majority of Iowans support. No school would be required to do so and a high level of training would be required for any staff to be eligible.
The Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill “The Patient Right to Save”, which adds price transparency to medical treatment and care and fosters cost savings by incentivizing a medical patient to shop for and use the “discounted cash price”, with 50% of the difference between it and the insurance rate being returned to the patient. This common sense bill ensures each Iowan has access to the actual costs associated with each procedure, treatment, and drug, and passes a significant portion of the difference back to the patient as they help bring accountability to health care in our state.
It is an honor to serve the people of Woodbury, Plymouth. Cherokee and Monona Counties in the Iowa Senate.
