In the sixth week of our legislative session, we hit our first major milestone of the year, setting the stage for a week filled with intensive subcommittee and committee meetings. Our focus was on advancing key pieces of legislation past their initial stages to make them eligible for floor debate next week.
Patient’s Right to Save Act
This week, one significant legislative achievement was the advancement of the Patient’s Right to Save Act, Senate File 431, through committee. This bill introduces a different approach to tackle the escalating costs of healthcare by incentivizing price transparency. It rewards patients who actively seek out more affordable, yet high-quality care options. By mandating cash rate disclosures from providers, offering credits towards deductibles for lower-cost cash payments, and allowing patients to benefit from savings even after meeting their deductibles, the bill aims to reduce overall health care expenses. This initiative directly responds to Iowans’ demands for lower health care costs, aiming to decrease premiums and enhance patient empowerment in their health care decisions.
Agriculture Committee
On Thursday last week, the Agriculture Committee convened to pass three key pieces of legislation out of committee Including SSB 3162, SSB 3163, and SSB 3174.
SSB 3162: This bill mandates that any food product containing a certain amount of lab-grown meat or alternatives from plants, insects, or both, must have a label stating it is made from stem cell cultures or from plants or insects. It defines “manufactured meat product” as meat created from cell cultures, insects, or plants, designed to mimic real animal tissue. Furthermore, if a product is labeled with meat-related terms like steak or wing but is made from these alternatives, it must be clearly labeled as an imitation. Failing to label these products correctly will result in them being considered misbranded, and intentionally misbranding a product can lead to misdemeanor charges.
SSB 3163: This bill shields companies that make pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides from lawsuits related to failing to warn users of their products’ risks, as long as their products carry a warning label that meets the requirements of the EPA or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
SSB 3174: This bill increases the minimum and maximum amounts of the Grain Indemnity Fund to $8 million and $16 million, respectively. It also broadens the fund’s protection to include credit sale contracts, such as those with price later and deferred payment options. Moreover, starting from July 1, 2024, grain dealers involved in credit sale contracts will be required to contribute to the fund, either through participation fees or per-bushel fees.
As the chair of the Agriculture Committee, my primary commitment is to support and protect the interests of the agricultural sector. It fills me with immense pride to have brought these key bills through the committee, paving the way for them to be brought to the floor for debate starting next week. These legislative efforts show our dedication to advancing the prosperity of the agriculture industry, ensuring it continues to thrive and remain a cornerstone of our economy and communities.
Day in the District
Last week was truly a great day in the district, highlighted by my visit to St. James with principal Erik Buchholz in Washington County. It was an informative experience where we delved into the topic of education, with a special focus on the power of preschool for four-year-olds. The discussions were insightful, shedding light on the importance of early childhood education and its impact on our community’s future.
I also had the honor to tour the college community school district led by Dr. Doug Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler showed me highlights of the new agriculture facilities and their importance. The College Community School District has made a focus on work based learning and their commitment to career readiness. I can confidently say that during our tour, CCSD’s commitment showed and we are so fortunate to have educational opportunities such as these available in our district.
Other highlights of the day included attending a forum hosted by the Washington Hospital where we talked about issues and concerns revolving around the community. I also had the pleasure of meeting with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and area producers to discuss the agricultural issues Iowa faces. I would like to thank Secretary Naig and all the producers that took the time to meet.
In rounding out the day in the district, I had the pleasure of attending a dinner hosted by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. This event was a heartwarming celebration of Iowa County’s deep-rooted passion for agriculture. It was an incredible opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet dedicated producers, sharing stories and experiences that define the agricultural community. The evening was a beautiful reminder of the strong bonds and shared commitments that unite us in our pursuit of excellence in agriculture.
Overall, it was another great week in Des Moines! As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have with any piece of legislation.
Senator Driscoll serves as the chair of the Agriculture Committee, and also serves on the Local Government, Natural Resources and Environment, State Government, Ways and Means, and Workforce committees.