In Week 11 (March 24-28) of the legislative session, it has finally started to feel like spring in Des Moines. With our second major legislative deadline on next week’s horizon, floor debate and subcommittee meetings have been keeping me busy. There have been several exciting developments relating to topics I am particularly passionate about: cell phones in schools, property tax reform, pesticides, and the county supervisors bill.
Cell Phone Use in Schools
Back in January, Governor Reynolds laid out her legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session. One of these priorities centered around students’ cell phone use in schools and combating the distractions these devices are to Iowa students. House File 782 requires schools to adopt policies that regulate and restrict cell phone use by students during school hours and in the classroom. I think it’s important to note that while this bill is popular amongst many Iowans, it is especially popular amongst Iowa students. Many students in my district have told me that they value the time they spend with their friends in classrooms and in schools, and in limiting screen time during these hours, students can better connect with their peers and instructors. The Senate passed this bill on Monday.
Property Tax Reform
Another significant piece of legislation currently being discussed in the Senate is Senate Study Bill 1208, which deals with reforming Iowa’s property tax system. As a reminder, this bill is expected to provide $426 million in property tax relief for homeowners, businesses, and farmers. The bill also includes a $25,000 homestead benefit, reduces the uniform levy to $2.97, offers additional relief for Iowa’s veterans and seniors, and phases out the “rollback system” for residential, commercial, and industrial properties over five years.
I had the opportunity to sit on a five-member subcommittee this week to discuss this bill. I voted in favor of the bill, as did several of my colleagues. Notably, the Tax Foundation released a study on Iowa’s property tax system this week, and the Foundation’s study supports the advancement of this bill. Specifically, the study found that from 2018 to 2024, property taxes in Iowa grew by nearly 22% and made our state less competitive compared to other states. The Foundation concluded by saying that SSB 1208 is an effective way to bring relief, makes Iowa more competitive with our neighbors, and limits the growth of property tax burdens across Iowa. I believe SSB 1208 brings transparency and fairness to the property tax system and Iowa property taxpayers.
Pesticides Bill
I’ve received a number of messages about a piece of legislation that my colleagues and I debated on the Senate floor this week: Senate File 394, which is a bill relating to pesticides and tort liability. This bill essentially states that a pesticide company cannot be sued for what is on its labels, which have strict federal restrictions they must follow. This does not mean that Iowans cannot sue a company if they can prove they got sick from that company’s product. I do not think pesticide companies should be sued for abiding by federal regulations. Essentially, pesticides, which are crucial to many Iowa farmers in growing and producing food for our state, should not be punished for following the rules the federal government provides.
County Supervisor Bill Update
Exciting news: the county supervisor bill (Senate File 75) passed the House last week, which means it will head to Governor Reynolds’ desk for her signature soon. I am especially excited for the impacts the passage of this law will have for those living in Johnson County. For years, local decision-making in this county has been dominated by an urban majority. SF 75 neutralizes this domination by giving a voice to rural and small-town residents in Johnson County whose voices have been drowned out for too long. Rural residents deserve a say in rural communities, and they will now have a chance to do so. The passage of this bill by both the House of Representative and the Senate has been a highlight of this legislative session.
As always, it is an honor to serve District 46. With next week being our second “funnel” week, things will be quite busy in the Senate. Therefore, if you have any questions about legislation, please feel free to reach out.