In This Issue
State Policy Update
State Policy Update
Legislation
Important Dates

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February 3, 2017  

AIWP Legislative Breakfast
On January 31, AIWP hosted its 2017 legislative reception at the
State Capitol in Des Moines. AIWP board members and regional
advocates from across the state met with legislators and Iowa
Workforce Development leadership to educate and advocate for
workforce initiatives. A total of 43 legislators attended the breakfast either in person or by their staff. Thank you to all who attended!
 
 Senator Nate Boulton with Iowa Workforce Development Deputy Director Myron Linn and AIWP member Chris Hannan.
AIWP member Shawn Fick speaks with State Representative Chris Hall.
 
Arlinda McKeen and State Senator Pam Jochum.
Senator Amanda Ragan converses with AIWP member Chris Hannan.
Representative Mike Sexton and AIWP member Lindsay Henderson.
State Policy Update
This week the legislature passed a de-appropriations bill that affects funding for the remainder of the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The bill, which was also signed by Governor Branstad this week, cuts $117.8 million from the state budget to cover a budget shortfall.

Among other items, cuts include:
  • $3,000,000 from community colleges
  • $500,000 from Iowa Workforce Development
  • $700,000 from Iowa Economic Development Authority
  • $12,000,000 from Grow Iowa Values Fund
To read the bill in full, click here.
Legislation
House File 23 Establishes a worker shortage student loan forgiveness program. Referred to House Economic Growth Committee. 

House File 47 Relates to the administration of postsecondary education assistance by the college student aid commission. Referred to House Education Committee.

House File 74 Increases certain penalties for employers willfully misclassifying employees for unemployment compensation contribution. Referred to House Labor Committee and assigned to a subcommittee of Watts, Holz, and Hunter.

House File 75 Directs Iowa State University to conduct a study on the economic, fiscal, and social impacts of a living wage in Iowa. Referred to House Labor Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Watts, Hunter, and Wheeler.

House File 98 Requires certain weekly workers' compensation benefits to include overtime and premium pay and an annual cost-of-living adjustment. Referred to House Labor Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Forristall, Holz, and Hunter

House File 99 Prohibits employment discrimination based on unemployment. Referred to House Labor Committee.

House File 105 Increases the state minimum hourly wage and provides for subsequent increases. Referred to House Labor Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Forristall, Hanusa, and Hunter.

House File 109 Relates to the regulation of employment agencies and employers. Referred to House Commerce Committee.

House File 129 Relates to wage discrimination in state contracting and establishes an equal pay task force. Referred to House Labor Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Forristall, Hunter, and Wheeler. 

House File 182 Authorizes adjutant general of Iowa to waive certain requirements and limitations of the national guard educational assistance program. Referred to House Veterans Affairs Committee.

House File 192 Prohibits employers and employment agencies from seeking criminal records or criminal history for applicants under certain circumstances. Also establishes a criminal history employment application task force. Referred to House Labor Committee.

Senate File 29 Eliminates the Iowa Department of Education. Referred to Senate Education Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Behn, Quirmbach, and Rozenboom.

Senate File 63 Establishes a feasibility study on a state paid family and medical leave program. Referred to Senate State Government Committee and assigned to subcommittee with Feenstra, Brown, and Petersen.

Senate File 66 Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees for pregnancy and childbirth. Referred to Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Chapman, Boulton, and Schultz. 

Senate File 80 Addresses the wage payment collection issues between employers and employees. Referred to Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Zaun, Dotzler, and Guth.

Senate File 104 Modifies the tax incentives under the high quality jobs program. Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with Feenstra, Edler, and Petersen.

Senate File 156 Increases the state minimum hourly wage and provides for subsequent increases. Referred to Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee and assigned to a subcommittee with .

Senate File 180 Relates to the powers and programs of the economic development authority. Placed on the Senate calendar for debate. 
Important Dates
March 3           First Funnel 
Final date for House bills to be passed out of House committees, and Senate bills out of Senate committees.

March 31         Second Funnel
Final date for Senate bills to be passed out of House committees and House bills to be passed out of Senate committees.

April 28           Target Adjournment Date
100th calendar day of the session and the date per-diem expenses will end.

This update is a bi-weekly publication intended to share information and resources regarding legislative activities, events, and bills related to workforce issues in Iowa. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Gracie Brandsgard at gbrandsgard@sppg.com or 515-237-0340.