Much Debate in Both Chambers This Week

With the Fourteenth Week wrapping up, there has been much debate taking place in both the Senate and the House. In the Senate we voted on over thirty pieces of legislation this week, and I would say that the majority of these bills passed with complete bipartisan support. These bills covered a wide range of topics and included support for an even wider range of groups and individuals throughout the state. With an end goal of making life better for all Iowans and making our state the best state to live and work, most of these decisions were straight and matter of fact, however, I never take for granted my vote on an issue, and I do as much research on a topic as I can so that I can be an informed voice for Iowans. This means that each day for me also includes research, study and making calls to find answers to questions for myself and for constituents who have reached out to me. If I don’t know the answer to a legislative-related concern, I almost always know someone to call who can point me in the right direction, and I’ll keep at it until I have the answers I need.

Strengthening Iowa’s Recount Laws

Maintaining secure elections is important to Iowans. The process of recounting votes is one of the ways we can ensure the integrity of our election process. Several times in recent Iowa elections, recounts have taken place to be certain the actual result of voters’ choice is represented. The process of recounting votes is as important as securely casting them in the first place. We have passed a number of bills in the state of Iowa to strengthen Iowa’s election process and protect the integrity of our elections. This week, we passed legislation to help strengthen Iowa’s recount laws. House File 928 establishes thresholds for the total vote margin that warrants a recount, how a recount can be requested, and who oversees the process of a recount to ensure accuracy and consistency across the state. The safeguards put in place by this bill are done to ensure our election recount process is safe, secure, and as accurate as possible so we can properly determine the candidate voters have elected. This bill continues to strengthen and protect Iowa elections so Iowans can be confident in their vote, can be certain that it will be counted accurately, and can trust that the results are reliable.

Disaster Preparedness is Key 

In recent years, the state of Iowa has faced tremendous challenges caused by natural disasters all across our state. From high winds and severe storms to intense flooding and tornados, Iowa has been hit hard. While our communities are in the process of recovery, we need to make sure our state and local government are prepared for the uncontrollable events of natural disasters. This year, Governor Reynolds proposed legislation to ensure the state is ready and able to respond quickly in a disaster. Senate File 619 provides financial assistance in the event of a disaster. It also puts in safeguards to protect homeowners and businesses who experience damage caused by a disaster and ensures Iowans are working with trustworthy organizations throughout recovery. We can never be completely prepared for whatever mother nature has in store for us, but having a few plans thought out ahead of time will help us deal with the situation in a more timely manner.

Helping to Fill Healthcare Gaps Across the State

A concern that we continue to look for solutions to is the challenge of health care for rural Iowans, particularly with the health care workforce and getting people to live and work in all parts of the state. As a state that prides itself with one of the top medical universities in the country, we need to ensure taxpayer-supported residency slots and loan-repayment programs are for those educated in our state for the benefit of Iowans. For this reason, the Senate passed House File 516. This bill will establish a minimum threshold of no less than 80 percent of accepted students into the medical and dentistry programs of the University of Iowa and the residency and fellowships at the UIHC are residents of Iowa. Additionally, the bill provides the opportunity for primary care residencies to participate in a rural rotation which will expose students to rural areas of the state. This bill ensures priority is given to the next generation of Iowans and focuses taxpayer-funded institutions on the changing needs of our state.

Passing Protections for Iowans on Tax Day

It was quite fitting that on Tax Day, April 15th, we passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 out of the Iowa Senate. SJR 11 will make it harder to raise income taxes on Iowans and will protect Iowans from reckless tax increases.

Senate Joint Resolution 11 is actually an amendment to the Iowa Constitution requiring a 2/3 majority vote in order to raise the income tax in Iowa or create a new tax. Constitutional amendments need to pass two consecutive General Assemblies before going to the people of Iowa for a vote. This marked the second time it has passed the Iowa Senate. If it passes the Iowa House, the proposal will be on the ballot in the fall of 2026.

A super-majority to raise the income tax in Iowa is something Iowans overwhelmingly support. It is something Iowans want, and something Iowans deserve. We use a super-majority for other things in the legislature, like confirming the governor’s appointments to boards and commissions in the state. We have come a long way over the last eight years, and it is common-sense to make it harder to raise taxes on Iowans. It should be difficult to take more money from Iowans and their families and to take more money out of their pockets.

This bill received full Republican support.

Appropriations Committee Advances Bill to Establish a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for Volunteer Firefighters, Emergency Care Providers and Reserve Peace Officers

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance SF 165. This bill establishes a length of service award program (LOSAP) for volunteer firefighters, emergency care providers, and reserve peace officers. It also establishes a Length of Service Award Program Grant Fund under the control of Iowa Department of Revenue. The department shall develop rules governing the application process for distribution of funds. The grants are issued as a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $300 per award recipient per year, to a city with LOSAP. The city may use moneys to fund their program from gifts, devises, bequests, or any other source for the purposes of meeting the matching requirement. The bill allocates $1.5 million from the Sports Wagering Receipts Fund into Length of Service Award Program Grant Fund for FY 26 and maintains the LOSAP Grant Fund at $1.5 million for each following fiscal year. This bill will now be placed on the Senate calendar for floor debate in the near future.

Follow Up from the Passing of  Senate File 22

I receive many emails and letters throughout session and would have a hard time counting the number I’ve received over the course of my time as a legislator. Some of these communications of course, are to seek support for a current legislative measure being brought forward, others are to ask for help with a personal matter and some serve the purpose of being a way for a constituent to vent their frustrations when a vote doesn’t go the way they had hoped. You have to develop thick skin to be a legislator. Sometimes, though, you receive a heartfelt thank you for work you have done and it makes it all worth every minute that you have sacrificed away from your own family to do this work for the people of Iowa.

The following letter is one of those. I know that Judi and Berta would want me to share it with all of you, and they would want you to watch the video that they have created to educate Iowans (especially new drivers) on the new “hands-free” law.

Dear Representatives and Senators, 
      Thank you for your hard work in passing this law. 
As we discussed, Berta Pearson and I worked with videographer, Ben Libby, to create an educational video for you to share with your constituents, especially the Iowa High School students.  In Henry County, we have asked the drivers ed teachers and school resource officers to answer questions following viewing of the video. If they need to read the bill, they need to go to legis.iowa.gov At the top click legislation. Next top right search for SF22_GovLetter PDF Document 282 KB. Scroll down past the signature page to read the bill. We recommend the students get to see the video prior to summer vacation. We know lives will be saved.
https://galleries.vidflow.co/n38hepew
      God Bless all of you fellow Americans
Respectfully, 
Judi Collora

Wishing you God’s Peace during this Easter Weekend!

Best regards,

Mark