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State Policy Update

Legislation

Important Dates

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Iowa Legislature

AIWP

February 17, 2017

State Policy Update

Bill on Collective Bargaining

This week the legislature spent most of the week debating a bill concerning collective bargaining rights for public employees. Both chambers debated the bill Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the Senate pulling an all-nighter on Wednesday before debate was cut off and final votes were held Thursday.

The bill was ultimately passed by both the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Branstad today.

Click here to read the full bill.

Legislation

House File 23 Establishes a worker shortage student loan forgiveness program. Referred to House Economic Growth Committee and assigned to subcommittee with Nunn, Bennett, and Gassman.

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 and assigned to a subcommittee with Baxter, Carlin, and Gaines.

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.