Blom

Week 11 has officially wrapped up at the Capitol, leaving only five weeks left on official calendar for session. As we continue to debate legislation in the coming weeks, our goal will be to pass the final budget for the year, allowing us to go home on time. If we can’t get the budget passed by May 2, the 110th day of session, we will continue to come back until it is passed. Check out some of the bills that we passed this week:

HF 395 – Ensures school bus drivers receive proper instruction and training. (Passed 94-1)

HF 706 – Strengthens Iowa’s open meetings and open records laws to improve government transparency. (Passed 95-0)

HF 885 – Expands deer hunting privileges for disabled veterans. (Passed 95-0)

HF 901 – Allows military police veterans and former federal officers to use their experience toward Iowa law enforcement certification. (Passed 95-0)

HF 807 – Establishes the Compassion and Care program to support women facing medically challenging pregnancies. (Passed 95-0)

HF 887 – Removes unnecessary red tape for licensed birth centers in Iowa. (Passed 95-0)

HF 871 – Clarifies the lawful disposition of firearms and ammunition seized by law enforcement. (Passed 95-0)

HF 933 – Expands access to pediatric palliative care centers. (Passed 97-0)

HF 872 – Raises the income threshold for businesses to qualify as Targeted Small Businesses, supporting growth and entrepreneurship. (Passed 96-1)

HF 844 – Strengthens eligibility requirements for financial institutions holding public funds. (Passed 97-0)

HF 471 – Improves school concussion and brain injury policies. (Passed 97-0)

HF 919 – Provides specialty hospital designation for qualifying nonprofits. (Passed 97-0)

HF 926 – Expunges criminal records for human trafficking victims, giving survivors a second chance. (Passed 96-0)

HF 972 – Major rural health care reform, including a new incentive model and system consolidation. (Passed 93-1)

HF 940 – Modernizes probate law and protects named beneficiaries. (Passed 95-0)

HF 826 – Cracks down on obscene materials involving minors. (Passed 96-0)

HF 862 – Addresses conflict of interest concerns involving county attorneys. (Passed 92-3)

HF 953 – Enhances legal representation for children in foster care. (Passed 93-2)

HF 903 – Streamlines payments during farm-to-market road construction projects. (Passed 95-0)

HF 969 – Expands cancer-related benefits for members of certain public retirement systems. (Passed 96-0)

HF 827 / SF 22 – The Hands-Free Driving bill passed with bipartisan support. A huge step forward in combating distracted driving. (Passed 84-11)

• Property Tax Cut for Childcare Centers

Childcare affordability and availability have long been priorities for House GOP lawmakers. This week, House Study Bill 316 passed the House Ways and Means Committee, taking a step forward in addressing both issues. The legislation stipulates that childcare centers will receive the residential property tax rollback (instead of the commercial rollback), effectively reducing taxes for commercial childcare centers. When costs for these centers are lowered, they can expand their capacity and offer more affordable prices.

Under current law, childcare centers are considered commercial properties and receive a 90% rollback, meaning they pay property taxes on 90% of their assessed value. However, House Study Bill 316 proposes that starting January 1, 2025, properties primarily used as childcare centers will receive the same rollback as residential properties, based on the actual value used for childcare purposes. The residential rollback varies annually and is set at 47.4% this year, resulting in a property tax reduction for these businesses.

To qualify for this rollback, applicants must submit an application to the assessor by July 1 of the assessment year they are first requesting the limitation. The application must include proof of a childcare center license. No further applications are required in subsequent years as long as the property continues to be used as a childcare facility. The county’s board of supervisors will determine eligibility by September 1 each year, with a process for appealing decisions. If a property receiving the residential rollback is no longer used as a childcare center, the owner will be required to pay back the taxes that would have been owed.

The bill now moves to the House Floor.

• House Supports Minority/Veteran Owned Small Businesses

House File 872 passed the House Floor this week. The bill updates the Targeted Small Business program managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Iowa’s TSB program is designed to help women, minorities, service-disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities overcome barriers to starting or growing a small business in the state.

To meet the minimum requirements for TSB Certification, a business must:• Be based in Iowa.• Be for-profit.• Have an average gross income of less than $4 million over the past three fiscal years.• Be at least 51% majority-owned, operated and managed by a woman, minority individual, service-disabled veteran or individual with a disability.

House File 872 proposes increasing the income limit to $10 million in gross income, expanding eligibility and allowing more small businesses to participate in the program. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

• Iowa Financially Supports the New USS Iowa Submarine

During the last general assembly, the legislature passed HF 2147, a bill that allocated funds to support the christening and commissioning ceremonies of the new USS Iowa submarine. The Christening Ceremony is set for April 5, 2025, in Connecticut, and there will be numerous watch parties across the state, which can be found here.

According to the USS Iowa website, this submarine is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to be named “USS Iowa,” but the SSN 797 will be the first Virginia-class submarine to carry the Iowa name. It is also the first Navy submarine designed specifically to accommodate both male and female service members onboard.

The bill allocated $75,000 from the FY 2022 General Fund and $75,000 from the Veterans License Fee Fund to the Iowa Economic Development Authority to support the new USS Iowa. These funds were allowed to carry over into FY 2023.

As always, thank you for the honor to serve you in the Iowa House! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or issues. I’d love to have visitors, so don’t hesitate to come to the Capitol and say hi.

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David Blom, a Republican from Marshalltown, represents District 52 in the Iowa House.