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Week 13 Legislative Recap - April 5 - April 9 The Legislature appears to be on track to adjourn on or around April 30, as planned. Last week, the Senate passed a bill to expand a program offering incentives to broadband internet developers, meant to boost access especially in Iowa's rural communities. This issue was highlighted by Governor Reynolds at the beginning of session in her Condition of the State Address. The bill was unanimously approved in both chambers -- a sharp contrast to other policies that have clearly divided lawmakers. For example, the House passed Racism Training (HF 802) earlier in the session. HF 802 prohibits the use of so-called "divisive concepts" in diversity training at state universities, government agencies, and elsewhere. The bill passed the House floor on a party line vote and was approved by the Senate Education Committee. It has not yet been scheduled for the Senate floor. Another controversial topic, Rental Housing (SF 252), allows landlords to turn away housing to renters using federal housing vouchers. The bill has passed both chambers and is now with the Governor for consideration. The bill has received substantial public comment opposing the measure, and starkly contrasts the Governor's priority to increase affordable housing. There has been no indication on whether the Governor intends to sign the bill. The shift in focus to budget bills is happening smoothly. Except for the Health & Human Services budget, all budget subcommittees have met and introduced their budget bills for consideration. The Ag & Natural Resources budget subcommittee passed their bill out of subcommittee and will be taken up for consideration by the full Appropriations Committee. It has not been scheduled yet, but is estimated to come before the full committee next week. Read the program updates below for more detailed information on some of these bills and view this week's bill tracker for updated details on bills IEC is watching this session. | |
Energy Program Activity As we approach the final weeks of the 2021 legislative session, IEC continues to push for a bill that would expand and preserve the state's solar investment tax credit. The coming weeks will determine the future of the tax credit and the certainty it provides for Iowa's solar economy. House File 221 would double funding from the program, from $5 to $10 Million annually. The bill would also decouple the state credit from the federal program, and change the payment structure from half of the federal credit to a fixed 15% of the total project cost of the installation. Today, the popular program is massively over-subscribed and underfunded, with the waitlist for credits expected to sit at around $8-9 Million by the time eligibility closes for the year. With the credit waitlist extending two years, this puts interested solar customers deep into 2023 for the earliest they could claim a credit. The bill would pay down this waitlist by $7 million, providing financial certainty for Iowa customers looking to make this investment. Now more than ever, we need supporters to use their voice to advance this proposal in the House and Senate. Supporters are encouraged to take action using our action alert form today. In other energy legislation, HF 555 and SF 455, the gas protections bill, was sent to Governor Reynolds today where she signed it into law. | |
Water Program Activity IEC continues to oppose SF 587, which would eliminate the conservation tax credit and would make it more difficult to qualify for the forestry tax credit, among other tax policy changes. As the weather warms up and the pandemic continues, public lands and outdoor recreation continue to be vital to the health of individual Iowans and their communities. This bill would disincentivize private donations of land for the public good. The bill has passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Ways and Means committee. IEC is encouraging supporters to contact House committee leaders on both Ways and Means and Appropriations and ask them to oppose the bill. HF 814, one of several Bottle Bills this session, moved out of subcommittee earlier today. While it is unlikely to pass at this point in session, IEC is registered against the bill and will continue to keep an eye on this issue. IEC is continuing to work with our regional and federal-level partners on the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI), which would provide dedicated funding resources for Mississippi River projects. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) is leading the effort to introduce legislation to create MRRRI, which is modeled after the highly successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. If you would like to learn more about this exciting initiative, please attend IEC’s informational webinar next Friday, April 23, where water program staff will be joined by our partners from the Mississippi River Network and Friends of the Mississippi River. | |
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