Senator Mark Daly from Ireland visited this week. Relations with Ireland date back many years. Ireland has a historic role in 1775 at the battle of Lexington and Concord when the American War of Independence began.

Introducing Sweeney’s intern: My name is Emily Bray and I am a junior at Iowa State University majoring in Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies with a co-major in Public Relations. originally from Lake Mills, Iowa, I’ve grown up immersed in the agricultural industry.

During my time at ISU, I’ve actively engaged in various leadership roles. I am currently serving as the Tri-Chair for the 2025 Bacon Expo, Vice-President of the Agricultural and Rural Policy Club, Secretary of the Iowa Corn Collegiate Club and a Legislative Ambassador for the Iowa State’s Student Government. Additionally, I am a member of the Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team, a former member of the Iowa Pork Collegiate Advisory Team and recently earned my American FFA Degree.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, grabbing ice cream, attending country music concerts (especially Cody Johnson) and doing my nails.

Our schools are dealing with chronic absenteeism. The Iowa State Senate this week passed SF 277, making several adjustments and clarifications to the chronic absenteeism policy passed last year. Throughout the beginning of the school year, we have heard from many parents and schools on the policy and were happy to work with them to make some changes to the law. The notable changes are the addition of several items to the list of exceptions for students, the format by which parents are notified of absences and the added discretion for schools in future engagement meetings. We know that chronic absences are a pressing issue in Iowa, with over 20 percent of our students qualifying as chronically absent. The policy from last year has improved the chronic absenteeism rates in Iowa schools, but it was also creating concerns with parents whose children met some criteria but who remained conscientious about their children’s attendance. This bill gives schools more flexibility in addressing this issue while continuing to focus on ensuring students are in the classroom and helping them be successful in their daily lives.

Senator “Jack” Kibbie passed away this week. Kibbie began his public service in 1960 when he served in the Iowa House of Representatives until 1964. He then was elected to the Iowa Senate and served until 1968, then for a second time from 1988 to 2012. Kibbie was known for his love of education and Iowa community colleges. Before serving his state in the legislature, Kibbie served his country as a tank commander in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

I got to know him when working on bills together, we always kept agriculture at the front and never our party affiliation. Senator Kibbie, thank you for the memories and lessons in the legislature.

Last week I mentioned the fence bull that passed out of Agriculture Committee. I had a number of emails and calls on this wondering where to start to get their fence questions resolved. In code 359A.2A it states to start a resolution on a fence controversy one must start with the “fence viewer” which is your township trustee, those are elected and on the general ballot.

Fencing laws are found in 359A.

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Email Annette Sweeney at annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov.