To the People of House District 95

This week, the Senate passed a bill to increase SSA Funding for the next fiscal year by 2%. This is in alignment with what the Governor proposed in her budget. House Republicans are interested in getting more funding to public schools and have a proposal of our own. We passed our bill through the House yesterday – here’s what it entails:

• An increase of 2.25% in SSA funding. This increase, plus the second phase of the teacher salary increase passed last session results in $114.5 million more for public schools.
• A one-time increase of 0.6% SSA payment which equates to $22.6 million more for schools.
• An $10 increase in per pupil equity, which equates to a $5.8 million increase.
• An increase in the Operational Sharing Budget from 21 to 25, providing an additional $1 million to schools.
• Increasing School Transportation to cap the cost of transportation for each school district at the statewide average of $430, resulting in $5.8 million in additional funds.

Altogether, these increases equate to a 3.93% increase in state funding to public schools. The new state cost per pupil under this proposal would be $8,039 per pupil. That includes $27 per student for the .6% increase. In FY 2025, we allocated $3.7876 billion to public education – this proposal would allocate $3.9368 billion. These increases represent the many specific funding requests we hear from our school districts. While each line item may not affect each individual school district equally, one line item may have a big impact on addressing the issue a specific district is facing. House Republicans are working to respond to the specific concerns we’re hearing from our schools in a responsible manner. We recognize that our 30-day deadline to settle an SSA number has passed. We are hopeful that this delay will be worth it as we work to secure additional dollars for our public schools. We will continue to work to reach resolution on this issue in a timely manner so that our school districts have adequate time to set their budgets.

How does this compare to ESA Funding?
Democrats have circulated the misleading claim that we are increasing ESA funding by 44% while increasing public school funding by 2.25%. They say this to make it sound as if we are spending more on private schools than on public schools. But that is far from the truth. The cost of ESAs increases each year at the same rate as the number we set for SSA. This year is the final year of expansion in the ESA program that allows all families to qualify. Which is why the increase looks greater this year. The increase to the ESA program under the House proposal would be $97.4 million. To be clear, this is on top of the $149.2 million increase outlined above that is just for public schools. Even with this expansion, the cost of the ESA program does not even come remotely close to the amount we spend each year on public schools – check out the graph below for a side by side comparison. In the FY 2025 budget, state aid to public schools accounts for 43.62% of the entire state budget. That’s the biggest piece of the pie by far. ESAs, meanwhile, account for 2.01% of the total state budget. ESAs are not breaking the state budget and they are not preventing us from properly investing in our public school system as well.

Fiscal Year 2025 has not been the best for state casino wagering tax receipts, as the first six months have produced flat or declining revenue. But with the change in the calendar, maybe things have turned for the better as the state has the first month of solid gaming tax revenue growth this fiscal year.

For January, state casinos paid $25.4 million in gaming tax. This was an increase of $2.6 million over January 2024’s collections. The month was the first to show monthly gaming tax revenue growth exceeding $1 million in over a year. Through seven months of Fiscal Year 2025, gaming tax collections have been $178.95 million. This is a decline of $6.6 million when compared to the same  time period in Fiscal Year 2024. While the continued trend of declining revenue is a concern, Fiscal Year 2025 appears to be running ahead of the Revenue Estimating Conference’s projection of a drop of $33 million in gaming tax receipts.

Next month’s receipts will be an important indicator for how the state will be able to address infrastructure issues. Governor Reynolds’ RIIF proposal spends all available revenue in FY 2026. Any positive adjustment in the gaming tax receipts from what the REC forecast in December will give the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals budget subcommittee some breathing room as they put together their pending proposal.

Sports wagering tax collections maintained their growth outlook in January. For the month, the state collected $1.75 million in taxes on sports betting in Iowa. This is an increase of $250,000 over last January’s figures.  For the first seven months of FY 2026, sports wagering tax receipts have been $9.8 million. This is $700,000 or 7.64% ahead of collections last year. The state is on track to exceed $15 million in sports wagering tax revenue for Fiscal Year 2025.

This week a subcommittee in the House Agriculture Committee met to discuss legislation to modernize Iowa’s 40-year-old grain indemnity fund and program. The measure expands and updates the Iowa fund that covers farmers’ losses when a buyer goes bankrupt. The bill is similar to legislation that stalled in the Senate last year due to session ending and conflicting opinions about extending the grain indemnity fund to cover the losses of farmers with credit-sale contracts. Deferred-payment contracts, which allow the price of grain on a sale to be determined after it has been delivered, are excluded from the indemnity fund under the bill. The Subcommittee chair said he views this type of payment as a “tax decision” and not a marketing decision by farmers, and therefore should not be covered by the fund.

HSB 131 adjusts both triggers waiving or reinstating the two indemnity fees. The bill increases from $8 million to $16-million balance in the indemnity fund required to trigger a waiver/suspension of collection of the grain indemnity fee from sellers and increases from $3 million to $8 million the balance in the indemnity fund required to trigger a reinstatement pf assessment fees. This change will help the fund withstands potential claims considering that Iowa grows nearly twice as much corn as it did when the grain indemnity program was promulgated in the late 1980s and the value is four times as much. Additionally, there has been considerable consolidation of the grain buying sector and farms. HSB 131 provides that grain sold by deferred-pricing contract (contract-sales) is considered purchased grain and grain sold by deferred-payment contract is not. Therefore, a licensed grain dealer is only assessed an indemnity fee on the contract sale grain. The measure provides indemnity payments would reimburse farmers for 90% of cash sales up to $300,000 and 70% of credit sales, up to $210,000.

Other changes of note proposed by this legislation is that it will address special valuation rules for losses involving corn or soybeans in that the dollar value of a loss for corn cannot exceed the dollar value for a loss of U.S. No.2 yellow corn according to grain standards adopted by the federal grain inspection service of the USDA. Likewise, the dollar value of a loss for soybeans cannot exceed the dollar value of a loss for U.S.No.3 yellow soybeans according to grain standards adopted by USDA. Hence, for grain indemnity claim purposes organic grain will be valued at conventional grain prices.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) recently announced the launch of a new, unified website that combines the two agencies’ programs and resources in one convenient location. Both agencies are under the direction of Debi Durham. The new site can be accessed at: opportunityiowa.gov.

This new platform brings together the full range of resources and tools in one easy-to-navigate space. This should make it simpler than ever to access the opportunities the agencies provide. Programs to expand a business, find housing resources, and invest in communities are all available. You can navigate to the new site by using the same iowaeda.com or iowafinance.com urls or by the new opportunityiowa.gov.

The Iowa Department of Education is seeking social studies educators and stakeholders to serve on a statewide committee to review and make recommendations on proposed updates for Iowa’s academic standards for social studies. Starting in April, the committee will meet regularly over three months to review and recommend proposed changes to the existing standards. This team serves in an advisory capacity to the Department. The meetings will be a combination of in-person and virtual.

Following the initial review, the Department will consider the proposed changes and seek public input, which will inform and help refine revisions to the standards. Afterwards, a second review team will be convened to review all public comments and provide further recommendations. A final standards proposal will go before the State Board of Education for consideration. At the time of the “first read” there is yet another opportunity for public feedback. During the “second read,” the draft standards may be adopted by the State Board of Education as final standards.  If adopted, the revised social studies standards will be required of school districts.

State standards across all subjects are reviewed regularly to ensure the content is current and aligns with best practices. The standards outline what students must learn to be prepared for success as they progress each year and after high school.

The deadline to apply for the committee is March 10th. More information about the standards review process is available on the Department’s About Student Standards webpage. Questions regarding the social studies standards can be directed to Stefanie Rosenberg Wager, administrative consultant, at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov.

About Iowa’s Academic Standards
Iowa’s academic standards provide a set of common expectations for school districts across the state while allowing for decisions regarding curriculum and how it is delivered to be made locally. The standards establish what students must learn to be prepared for success after high school. Local schools and educators continue to set and oversee curriculum and instruction decisions.

In addition to social studies, Iowa’s academic standards also cover literacy, mathematics, science and 21st-century skills, such as financial literacy. They also include recommended standards for computer science, fine arts, physical education, and health. New mathematics and literacy standards were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2024, and science standards are currently under review.

Higher Education Committee Approves Civics Graduation Requirement

House Study Bill 56, the Increasing Civics Proficiency in Higher Education Act, was approved by the House Higher Education Committee this week. The bill is part of the committee’s comprehensive review of Iowa’s higher education institutions and what the institutions are using taxpayer dollars to teach. The bill requires students at Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.

The course must cover basic principles such individual liberties, representative government, federalism and the division of powers between the federal government and the states, and the separation of powers between the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.

The course must also cover founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, some of the federalist papers and the Emancipation Proclamation.

No requirement currently exists at Iowa’s three regents institutions which requires students to be competent in American history, civics or government. Yet Iowa, ISU, UNI each require students to take a course on diversity or DEI.

The University of Iowa requires its undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to take a course that focuses on diversity or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). This requirement was previously called “Diversity and Inclusion” but was renamed to “Understanding Cultural Perspectives” for the fall 2024 semester.

Iowa State University requires its undergraduate students to complete a course focused on diversity or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) called U.S. Cultures and Communities. It was previously known as the U.S. Diversity course requirement but due to directives from the Board of Regents and pressure from the Legislature it was renamed. Over 95 classes listed in the 2024-25 fulfill this requirement. Included in this list are Queer Fashions, Economics of Discrimination, and Native American Agriculture.

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) requires its undergraduate students to take courses that address diversity or DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). There is a Liberal Arts Core Requirement that mandates that all students complete 3 credit hours of classes in “Diversity and Global Issues.” This requirement is designed to expose students to a variety of perspectives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including critically analyzing social justice issues. UNI also offers an optional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate within its general education program. This certificate program aims to deepen students’ understanding of DEI topics. Classes such as Social Inequalities, Peoples and Cultures of World, and Women and Gender Studies: Introduction fulfill this requirement.

This week, the House Health and Human Services Committee advanced 15 bills out of committee this week to address mental health, parental consent, and childcare. Next week’s newsletter will outline bills related to health care workforce that passed the committee.

• Psychiatric Deterioration – House File 312 allows for individuals to be committed based on psychiatric deterioration, in addition to current law which allows for commitment when they are a danger to themselves or others. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, an organization with a mission to eliminate the barriers to timely and effective treatment of serve mental illness through advocacy, public education and support, there are over 30 states that allow for psychiatric deterioration for their commitment laws.
• Commitment Discharge – HF124 requires facilities that are discharging individuals committed for substance abuse or mental health to provide the following at discharge:
  • Refer the individual committed to the administrative services organization (ASO) for evaluation, case management, and post-discharge services.
  • Assess for suicide risk.
  • Provide a 30-day supply of medications prescribed.
  • A discharge report to the individual committee or their legal representative. The discharge report will have all their appointments and medications outlined, ASO contact information, an aftercare plan with crisis prevention, and education materials developed by DHHS.
  • Notify the ASO and legal guardians.
  • Requires the ASO to coordinate post-discharge care for individuals after commitment.

• Commitment Testimony – HF313 allows for physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to testify at committal hearings if they witnessed the examination, reviewed the report, and the professional that examined the individual is unable to attend the hearing.
• Child Care Employees – HSB7 as amended maintains the existing ability for a child care employee to receive a physical six months prior to beginning employment, but also allows for the child care employee to receive the physical within three months after beginning employment, removing a barrier to employment.
• Child Care Flexibility – HSB6 allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to provide flex care during nap hours and during brief periods in a child care center for children under the age of 5.
• Minor Vaccine Consent – Iowa code allows for minors to consent to very few medical treatments without parental consent. One of those is for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. This code section has been construed to include the ability for a minor to consent to the Hepatitis B vaccine and the HPV vaccine. HF 104 removes the ability for a minor to consent to vaccines for a STD without parental consent.
• Vaccine Exemption Notification – HF 299 requires all child care providers, schools, and higher education to notify parents / students of legal vaccine exemptions when communicating with parents regarding vaccine requirements.

On Thursday, the House Judiciary committee approved House Study Bill 37 which will require drivers and non-drivers’ identification cards to indicate the citizenship status of the holder. While opponents will try to muddy the waters with outlandish claims, it’s important to remember it is a simple straightforward bill to ensure citizens and noncitizens have identification that they can use in many situations in, and out of the state.
Here’s how it works:

1. Application Requirements: When someone applies for a driver’s license or ID card, they will need indicate whether they are a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen who is legally allowed to be in the U.S.
2. Information on the License / ID: The driver’s license or ID card will have this citizenship status printed on the back. This is to ensure that anyone looking at the card can see the holder’s legal status in the U.S.
3. Social Security Number: For applicants who are foreign nationals (people from other countries who are temporarily in the U.S.), the DOT may allow them to skip providing a social security number when applying.
4. Renewals Included: The new rules will apply not just to new applications but also to renewals of existing driver’s licenses and ID cards. So, if someone is renewing their license or ID, they will also need to provide their citizenship status.

This week the House Natural Resources Committee approved four bills (HJR1, HF 21, HF 22, and HF 65). House Joint Resolution 1 proposes a state constitutional amendment to create a constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly and rules a that promote wildlife conservation and management, that maintains natural resource for public use, and that preserves the future of hunting, fishing, trapping and harvesting of wildlife. Public hunting, fishing, trapping, and harvesting of wildlife shall be preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This section shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, property, or water resources.  The Joint Resolution specifies that if this resolution is adopted in the General Assembly, it will be referred to the next General Assembly (seated in January 2027) and if adopted by that General Assembly will be submitted to the electorate for its consideration.

House File 21 adds lifetime fur harvester license that will be available to veterans who are residents of Iowa and who were disabled during their military service for a fee established by the Natural Resource Commission. This license is in addition to the existing lifetime fishing, lifetime hunting or combined fishing & hunting license available to veterans who were disabled during their military service that is currently set through administrative rules that are now $5 plus habitat and processing charges.

House File 22 changes Iowa’s nonresident deer anysex license program to rejigger how some of the tags are dispensed. The bill would allocate 35% of the 6,000 nonresident antlered/anysex licenses to be distributed through a random draw without consideration of preference points by applicant with the rest of the 65% to be allocated through the current point lottery process.

House File 65 requires the Department of Natural Resources issue in deer shoot permit to any landowner who incurs $1,000 of economic damage to any ‘agricultural, horticultural, or silvicultural operations’ from a wild animal. The bill further establishes a deer depredation season from January 11 through January 31st of each year to any person processing a deer depredation permit issued after February 1st of the prior year.  Method of take for the January depredation season shall include—(a) rifle using DNR approved cartridge, (b) shotgun, (c) muzzleloader, (d) handgun, (e) crossbow, or (f) bow. The measure was amended in Committee to extend the use of the shoot and depredation permits to tenants of property where depredation damage is occurring and allows any conservation officers to issue deer depredation or shoot permits. The amendment also added provisions that will allow a person issued a deer depredation of shoot permit to dispose the taken animal through composing or wastage.

February 1^st was National Unclaimed Property Day and the Iowa State Treasurer was able to celebrate the occasion by returning a Purple Heart to the family of a military veteran who had passed away and the office had come into possession of a security deposit box containing the medal.

In Iowa, there’s currently more than $587 million in safekeeping waiting to be claimed. Each year, millions of dollars and hundreds of safe deposit boxes are turned over to the Treasurer’s Office after financial institutions and businesses lose contact with the owner. In addition to tangible items like safe deposit box contents, monetary items like forgotten checking and savings accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies and utility refunds are also turned over to the State as unclaimed.

Through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, the Treasurer’s office staff work to reunite the assets with the owners or heirs. The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is Iowa’s only legitimate source of unclaimed property. The website is free and secure and allows you to search for your name or for businesses and people you know at https://www.greatiowatreasurehunt.gov.

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee moved a key priority of Governor Reynolds as they passed the distracted driving bill.

House Study Bill 64 changes Iowa’s current ban on texting while driving into a ban on using electronic devices while driving a motor vehicle. Under the bill, vehicle drivers would be able to utilize the functions of their mobile phone only in a hands-free or voice activated mode. The bill does provide some exceptions to the ban, including contacting emergency services for assistance or receiving emergency information. The bill also exempts certain professions from being subject to the bill, including public safety workers, health care providers during emergency situations, utility maintenance workers, and public transit employees in certain situations.

The bill would give Iowans a six-month grace period where Iowans found to be violating the new distracted driving law would be given warning tickets. Starting January 1, 2026, an initial violation would be subject to a $100 fine. The bill also makes violations to be moving violations for the purposes of losing one’s driving privileges.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the exact same language out of committee on Tuesday.

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

• People who generally make $67,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. In Iowa those partners include United Way, ISU Extension, and UNI.

Des Moines County:

• Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, February 21st from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.
• Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, March 21st from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.
• Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, April 18th from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.

Henry County:

• Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Forum: Saturday, February 22nd at 8:30AM at Union Block in Mount Pleasant.
  • 3rd Floor, 111 W Monroe Street (There is a door between Verizon and Central Park Coffee).
• Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Forum: Friday, March 14th at 8:30AM at Mount Pleasant City Hall in the City Council Chambers.

Louisa County:

• Self Organized Forum: Saturday, March 1st from 11AM – 12PM at Wapello City Hall in the City Council Chambers.

Muscatine County:

• Self Organized Forum: Saturday, March 1st from 9 – 10AM at Wilton City Hall in the Community Room.

As always, you can can shoot me an email with any questions or concerns at taylor.collins@legis.iowa.gov or you can call the Capitol Switchboard and leave me a message at (515) 281-7340.
Sincerely,

Rep. Taylor Collins