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Iowa Legislative Report:
84th Iowa General Assembly
2012 session
IA State Police Association
Week 12: March 26 – March 30, 2012
Paula Feltner & Mike Heller, Lobbyists
We are moving (hopefully) into the last three weeks of the legislative session when the budgets take center stage. On Friday, March 23, the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met to review and revise the revenue estimates for FY 2012 and FY 2013. As expected, the REC increased the estimate for both years.
The REC consists of Dave Roederer (Governor’s appointee), Holly Lyons (Legislature’s appointee) and David Underwood (private sector member, appointed by the other two members). By law the REC meets three times a year. It meets in December to set the official estimate for the following fiscal year that must be used for budgeting, again in March (which is only used if the estimate goes down) and then in October after the books close on the previous fiscal year.
This new estimate raised the projection by approximately $80 million dollars, driven largely by a strong Iowa agricultural economy. For FY 2012 (the current fiscal year), the estimate was increased by $50 million. Through March 20, revenue for FY 2012 was running at 3.1 percent. This is above the December REC estimate of 1.8 percent and is about a 1.3% increase.
For FY 2013, the estimate was increased by $29 million which is an increase of less than four tenths of one percent.
Any increase up to $14 million is deposited into the Taxpayers Trust Fund (TTF), which currently is estimated to have $46 million. Once the fund meets its maximum balance of $60 million, the remainder will flow into the general fund and could be spent the following fiscal year.
This $80 million is a significant amount to say the least, and scrutinized alone, would suggest that the legislature has plenty of money to spend. However, it is important to put this amount in context. The state of Iowa’s budget is approximately $6 billion dollars. Iowa also receives about $6 billion dollars from the federal government, bringing total spending up to approximately $12 billion dollars. That “new” $80 million is less than a one percent increase for the overall budget, and some, as indicated in the previous paragraph, must go into the Taxpayer’s Trust fund.
Also, March’s projections by law mean little in terms of legislative action. Iowa law stipulates that the governor is to use the December projections to make a budget recommendation and the Legislature is to use the lower of the estimates. In the past, however, the legislators have used what is know as a “notwithstanding clause” to enable them to use the March figures. That will not happen this year with split control. The Governor has already said he will not abide a budget based on such a clause.
It is important to remember that these estimates are more of an indication of where the state’s revenue collections and overall economy are headed based on today’s indicators – an economic snapshot. Hiring seems to be slowly increasing, Iowa is enjoying high commodity prices, and the housing market is gradually improving but other factors like high gas prices blur a healthy economic picture. In short, state officials are cautiously optimistic but stress a tightly drawn budget for this legislative session which sets the stage for any budget issues.
Given that backdrop, there are 10 major budget bills and only one is on its way to the Governor’s desk. The legislature has passed four budget bills in different forms which are headed to conference committee (Justice Systems; Ag and Natural Resources; Administration and Regulation; Judicial Branch Appropriaiton). Health and Human Services is awaiting debate in the House and Education is awaiting action in the Senate – both of those will probably go to conference committee as well. Only Transportation, Infrastructure and capitals budget has been sent to the Governor. In short, many budget issues need to be resolved in the next three weeks (if they hope to get out on time). Also pending are Education Reform, Mental Health Reform, and Commercial Property Tax Reform.
Finally, another sure sign of spring and the end of session….. sometime Thursday night after adjournment, the House came out with HSB 674 STANDINGS APPROPRIATIONS. Passing the Standings bill is typically the last piece (or one of the last pieces) needed to bring a session to a close.
In terms of our specific issues this week, amendments were filed to the traffic camera bill in the House (HF 2450) and it looks like that bill will be debated in the chamber this next week. The Senate is still maintaining that they will kill the bill. Please look over Amendments H-8392, H-8394, and H-8396 and let us know what you think.
In other action, the House added two bills we are supporting that failed in the funnel (HF 2350 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES & HF 2398 SCHEDULE I DESIGNATIONS) to SF 2123 SCHEDULED DRUGS.) The “parent” bill, SF 2123, removes benzylfentanyl and thenylfentanyl from Schedule I. Classes ANPP (fentanyl precursor) as Schedule II. Adds three anabolic steroids to Schedule II. Classifies soma as Schedule IV. Classifies ezogabine as Schedule V. Makes ergocristane & its salts a precursor for LSD.
HF 2398 SCHEDULE I DESIGNATIONS adds synthetic cannabinoids (K2) and synthetic cathinones to Schedule I and establishes penalties.
HF 2350 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES makes it a Class D felony to possess ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate or sodium hydroxide with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance (meth).
The bill now returns to the Senate.
Finally, a meeting for interested parties has been called next week on Tuesday at 9:30 AM in cafeteria on SF 2278, the public safety training facility bill. The House has not expressed interest in moving the bill this year but of course in the closing days of session anything can happen. We will attend this meeting.
The following is a list of bills of interest that remain alive for the 2012 session. The list is hot linked to the state system if you would like to view the details of the bills. If you have questions, please call us.
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Senate
File 2325
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A bill for an act relating to the income tax checkoffs for the child abuse prevention program fund and the veterans trust fund and volunteer fire fighter preparedness fund, and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3196.)
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Mar. 29
12
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Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 693.
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Sponsored
by Ways & Means.
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Senate
File 2316 has money for mandated communications system
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A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to state departments and agencies from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund, the technology reinvestment fund, the FY 2009 prison bonding fund, and the endowment for Iowa's health restricted capitals fund, providing for related matters, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3181.)
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Mar. 28
12
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Message from House, with amendment S-5148. S.J. 677.
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Sponsored
by Appropriations.
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Senate
File 2315 has law enforcement training
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A bill for an act relating to redesign of publicly funded mental health and disability services by requiring certain core services and addressing other services and providing for establishment of regions and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3152.)
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Mar. 26
12
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Fiscal
note. HCS.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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Senate
File 2312 has law enforcement training
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A bill for an act relating to persons with mental health illnesses and substance-related disorders. (Formerly SSB 3137.)
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Mar. 27
12
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Message from Senate. H.J. 656.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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Senate
File 2299 tried to move drug office in House version; stripped in Senate
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A bill for an act relating to government operations and efficiency and other related matters and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 3176.)
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Mar. 07
12
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Subcommittee,
Danielson, Dix, and Dvorsky. S.J. 489.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 2296
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A bill
for an act relating to the criminal offense of solicitation to
commit murder and providing a penalty. (FormerlySSB
3154.)
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Mar. 27
12
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Sent to Governor. S.J. 673.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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Senate
File 2295
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A bill
for an act modifying the periods of time to bring civil and
criminal actions relating to the sexual abuse of minors. (Formerly
SF
2229.)
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Mar. 28
12
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Amendments H-8385 and H-8386 filed. H.J. 695.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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Senate
File 2278
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A bill
for an act establishing a public safety training and equipment
trust fund and providing for appropriations of moneys in the fund.
(FormerlySF
2204.)
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Mar. 01
12
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Subcommittee,
Dvorsky and Dix.S.J.
425.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 2263
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A bill
for an act relating to fire protection and emergency medical
services, including tax credits, service charges, and
applicability provisions. (FormerlySSB
3179.)
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Feb. 28
12
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Subcommittee,
Quirmbach, Black, and Chelgren.S.J.
395.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 2218
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A bill
for an act relating to school bus safety, including providing
penalties for failure to obey school bus warning lamps and stop
signal arms, providing for a school bus safety study and
administrative remedies, and making an appropriation. (FormerlySF
2021.)
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Mar. 16
12
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Signed by Governor. S.J. 605.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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Senate
File 2208
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A bill
for an act relating to the confidentiality of an arrest warrant.
(FormerlySSB
3026.)
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Mar. 28
12
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Message from House, with amendment S-5143. S.J. 676.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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Senate
File 2173
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A bill
for an act authorizing the imposition of certain charges for fire
protection and emergency medical services. (FormerlySF
2012.)
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Mar. 13
12
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Subcommittee,
Jochum, Bartz, and Mathis.S.J.
547.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 2123
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A bill
for an act making changes to the controlled substance schedules,
and making penalties applicable. (FormerlySSB
3041.)
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Mar. 29
12
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Immediate message. H.J. 704.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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Senate
File 2049
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A bill
for an act providing an exemption from the computation of the
state individual income tax of all pay, including retirement pay,
received from the federal government for military service and
including retroactive applicability provisions.
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Jan. 30
12
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Subcommittee,
Bolkcom, Quirmbach, and Smith.S.J.
136.
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Sponsored
by Ernst.
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Senate
File 2015
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A bill
for an act providing volunteer fire fighters and emergency medical
services personnel with an individual income tax credit and
including related appropriations from the taxpayers trust fund,
and including applicability provisions.
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Jan. 18
12
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Subcommittee,
Bolkcom, Dotzler, and Feenstra.S.J.
85.
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Sponsored
by Hancock.
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Senate
File 430 please look carefully at bill and amendments
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A bill
for an act relating to violations of the open records and public
meetings laws and the creation of the Iowa public information
board, and including fee and effective date provisions. (Formerly
SF
246.)
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Mar. 27
12
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Amendment H-8374 filed. H.J. 671.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 413
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A bill
for an act relating to financial responsibilities of local
emergency management commissions. (FormerlySSB
1156.)
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Feb. 28
12
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Message from House, with amendment S-5142. S.J. 676.
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Sponsored
by State Government.
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Senate
File 365
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A bill
for an act relating to the placement of a juvenile on youthful
offender status in district court. (FormerlySSB
1043.)
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Mar. 20
12
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Senate amendment H-8303 filed. H.J. 614.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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Senate
Study Bill 3197
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A study bill for an act concerning public safety, by establishing a public safety training and equipment trust fund, establishing a public safety standards, training, and facilities task force, and making appropriations. 03/27/12 Danielson, Dvorsky, Kettering
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LSB 6110XC
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Senate
Study Bill 3197
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House
File 2450 please look carefully at amendments
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A bill for an act prohibiting the use of automated traffic law enforcement systems, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 2214) (Formerly HF 2048)
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Mar. 29
12
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Amendments H-8392, H-8394, and H-8396 filed. H.J. 707.
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Sponsored by Appropriations.
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House
File 2422
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A bill
for an act relating to sex offender notification in a nursing
facility, residential care facility, or assisted living program,
providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.
(FormerlyHSB
551)
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Mar. 22
12
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Placed on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 647.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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House
File 2399
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A bill
for an act relating to scrap metal transactions, prohibiting
certain sales, and providing penalties. (FormerlyHSB
603)
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Mar. 22
12
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Placed on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 647.
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Sponsored
by Public Safety.
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House
File 2390
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A bill
for an act relating to obscene material, commercial sexual
activity, and human trafficking, and providing penalties and
making penalties applicable. (FormerlyHSB
525)
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Mar. 29
12
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Message from House. S.J. 690.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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House
File 2379
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A bill
for an act relating to expunging certain criminal records, and
including applicability provisions. (FormerlyHF
2157)
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Mar. 22
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Message from Senate. H.J. 634.
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Sponsored
by Judiciary.
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House
File 2345
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A bill for an act relating to the factors considered by the court in a determination of the best interest of the child in custody arrangements. (Formerly HF 2076)
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Mar. 21
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Amendment S-5117 filed. S.J. 645.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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House
File 2335
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A bill
for an act relating to appropriations to the justice system, and
providing effective dates.
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Mar. 27
12
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Message from House. S.J. 668.
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Sponsored
by Appropriations.
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House
File 2274
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A bill
for an act relating to property taxation and local government
budgets by increasing the regular program foundation base
percentage, establishing a property tax exemption for certain
commercial and industrial property, establishing and modifying
property assessment limitations, providing for certain property
tax replacement payments, modifying the assessment and taxation of
telecommunications company property, establishing budget
limitations for counties and cities, eliminating certain reporting
requirements, making appropriations, and including effective date
and applicability provisions. (FormerlyHSB
519)
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Feb. 20
12
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Subcommittee,
Bolkcom, Feenstra, and Quirmbach.S.J.
284.
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Sponsored
by Ways & Means.
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House
File 2228
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A bill
for an act relating to requirements for a motor vehicle operator
to have control of the vehicle at all times and to reduce speed in
specific situations. (FormerlyHSB
526)
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Mar. 29
12
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Message from House. S.J. 690.
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Sponsored
by Public Safety.
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House
File 2226
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A bill
for an act relating to child abuse reports and disposition data.
(FormerlyHSB
510)
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Mar. 29
12
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Immediate message. H.J. 704.
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Sponsored
by Human Resources.
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House
File 2168
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A bill
for an act relating to the authorized deposit of public funds.
(FormerlyHSB
535)
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Mar. 28
12
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Message from House. S.J. 676.
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Sponsored
by Commerce.
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House
Joint Resolution 2009
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A joint
resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State
of Iowa relating to an individual's right to acquire, keep,
possess, transport, carry, transfer, and use arms. (FormerlyHJR
2005)
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Mar. 05
12
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Subcommittee,
Fraise, Dvorsky, and Sorenson.S.J.
447.
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Sponsored
by Public Safety.
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House
Joint Resolution 2006
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A joint
resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State
of Iowa relating to state budgeting by creating a state general
fund expenditure limitation, providing for a taxpayers relief
fund, requiring authorization for certain bonds, and restricting
certain state revenue changes. (See Cmte. BillHJR
2010)
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Feb. 15
12
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Subcommittee,
Rogers, T. Olson, and Wagner.H.J.
278.
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Sponsored
by Paulsen, Upmeyer, Alons, Anderson, Arnold, Baltimore, Baudler
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House
Joint Resolution 10
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A joint
resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State
of Iowa relating to term limits for members of the general
assembly.
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Sponsored
by Moore, Wolfe, Kelley, Klein, Jorgensen, Hager, Pearson,
Paustian, Olson
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