Several bills which could directly impact area residents survived the first funnel week of the Iowa Legislature. The funnel is a deadline in which proposed legislation must be approved by a House or Senate committee before it can move forward for further consideration.

Subjects covered by the surviving legislation are varied, ranging from education to immigration, from aviation to healthcare. Legislators representing Marshall County — representatives David Blom (R-Marshalltown) and Brett Barker (R-Nevada) and Sen. Kara Warme (R-Ames) — weighed in on some of the survivors.

Warme was happy one bill in particular — Senate Study Bill 1195 — did not survive the funnel. It would have fined people $855 for sleeping in public places.

“Homelessness is a complex challenge and I fear high fines would only make it more difficult for those experiencing homelessness to find housing, employment and self–sufficiency,” she said. “I would like to see further discussion with agencies that serve vulnerable populations to identify better solutions for Iowa and I am glad that legislation as proposed did not move forward.”

Barker said he is pleased his priorities have largely survived the first funnel.

Senate Files

167 — This would increase school funding by 2.25 percent per student. While the bill has been approved by the representatives, the senators still have to consider it. Both Blom and Barker voted in favor.

370 — A bill suggested by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would ban students from using cell phones during class time. There is a sister bill in the House, HF782. All three legislators spoke in favor of the effort.

According to Blom, the negative effects of smartphones on youth is well documented.

“I think it’s very obvious that phones are a distraction in school,” he said. “This bill creates a policy floor that every school must at least prohibit cell phone use during instructional time.”

Blom said if school districts want to push the matter further, officials can decide to do so.

“No phones during instructional time seems very common sense to me,” he said. “We must include common sense exceptions, but it seems that the best approach for everyone involved is physical separation of the cell phones and students.”

Warme, who saw the effects of smartphone usage during her time as a substitute teacher in Story County, said there is a youth mental health crisis and decreased learning outcomes, which breaks her heart.

“The impact of cell phones during the school day is akin to secondhand smoke,” she said. “If some parents choose not to give their children phones, all are still impacted by the distractions and lack of social interaction that happens when the focus is on these addictive devices.”

The bill will establish a reasonable floor requiring school districts to set policies prohibiting personal devices during instructional time, as well as adding required instruction on the dangers of social media during middle school. Warme believes SF370 will benefit students and teachers by improving mental health, reducing distractions in the classroom, increasing social interaction between students and providing additional support for teachers and administrators who face resistance to existing policies.

“The positive results from school districts that have enacted stricter policies are compelling, and I hope this will be only the beginning of a serious look at the ways we are using technology with young people in our state,” she said.

Barker has consistently heard from educators that cell phone use makes their job more difficult. Removing unnecessary cell phone use from classrooms will remove distractions and help the kids learn, he said.

445 — A $16 million grant program would be created, giving child care providers an opportunity to receive $100,000 annually for three years to provide all–day care. According to Barker, it would help fill a huge economic development need.

Blom is supportive of policies that help make childcare more affordable for residents.

“I would like to build on existing programs that are doing well, including with the YMCA, Head Start, public schools and similar providers,” he said.

599 — This would require residents who receive Medicaid to work or give at least 20 hours of volunteer time each week. Exempted from the requirement are minors, pregnant women, parents with a disabled child or younger than 1, people in substance abuse programs and those who are disabled or older than 64. Warme voted against this bill in the Health and Human Services committee.

House Files

796 — The Double Up Food Bucks program would be funded by this bill as long as the United States Department of Agriculture limits certain foods people can buy with SNAP.

Barker said he is a strong supporter of Double Up.

“Investing more funds to allow low–income Iowans make their dollars stretch farther when purchasing fruits and vegetables is good policy,” he said.

Warme will be the chair for the Appropriations Subcommittee on HF796. She was excited to vote in favor to advance the Double Up Food Bucks policy, which will provide a match to increase available funds when a SNAP recipient purchases fresh fruits and vegetables.

“This incentivizes families to make healthier choices, which is also an investment in their long–term health and could lower ongoing healthcare expenses,” she said. “Marshall County farmers will also benefit because the Double Up Food Bucks can be used at farmers markets and local farmers’ fresh produce will get purchased more as families can afford these items when utilizing this incentive program.”

880 — This would take Enrich Iowa funding away from public libraries if there are memberships to organizations which advocate legislation, such as the Iowa Library Association and American Library Association.

Blom does not serve on the education committee, so he has not given the bill full consideration yet. As long as common sense policies are in place and inappropriate or mature content are kept out of places where young kids gather, the facilities are great resources for communities, he added.

“The Marshalltown library has done a wonderful job, and I hope libraries across the state will follow their lead,” Blom said.

Warme said HF880 has a sister bill in the Senate — SF238, which did not make it through committee. After speaking with colleagues, she said it seems unlikely the Senate will take up HF880 as written. Warme has had wonderful experiences with libraries, such as summer reading programs and taking her daughters to the Marshalltown Public Library book sale.

“I would like to see our libraries stay above the political fray and be a safe and enriching resource for all residents and all viewpoints,” she said.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641–753–6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.