After a slow week, the House is back in action during week 14.

Coming into this session the legislature was very aware that Iowans are feeling the pain of higher costs driven by bad policy decisions of the Biden administration. One of the biggest things we can do to directly help Iowans weather the storm of inflation is cut taxes, which we have already done by lowering all taxpaying Iowans’ income tax rate to 3.8% and by eliminating all state income tax on retirement income. This session, we are looking for additional ways to lower costs for Iowans.

This week the House Ways and Means Committee moved many of our ideas forward. House File 110 would eliminate income tax on overtime pay. House File 268 would eliminate income tax on cash tips, providing direct relief to many hard-working Iowans. This bill would apply to up to $25,000 worth of tips for Iowans with an annual income under $155,000.

House Files 963, 964, and 966 would eliminate the sales tax on laundry detergent, toilet paper and dietary supplements. These are common household items that aren’t already exempt from the sales tax. Our goal is that these would provide relief to Iowa families.

House File 965 increases the adoption tax credit from $5,000 to $20,000. The heartbreaking reality is that the ridiculously high cost of adoption can prevent a child from being adopted by a loving family who wants to give them a home. Additionally, House File 962 eliminates the income maximum threshold to qualify for the Iowa child and dependent care tax credit.

All of these bills passed the House Ways and Means Committee this week and will soon be eligible for debate on the House floor. They are designed to provide direct relief to Iowans, leave more money back in Iowans pockets and help adopting families give loving homes to children in need.

After years of work, the House passed additional cancer coverage and screening for First Responders, House File 969, sending it to the governor’s desk for signature. This bill expands the definition of cancer for the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System and the Special Services Members of IPERS. Current code outlines 14 types of cancers that are covered for disabilities and death benefits. In listing certain cancers that are covered, code inevitably leaves out additional cancers that should certainly be covered. Firefighters and family members who have lost friends, coworkers and loved ones to cancers that are not covered by current code, were in attendance to support the passage of this bill. These people have our backs every day as they risk their lives and go to work. With this bill, we do what we can to return the favor and have their backs as well.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the capitol, or in the district.

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Contact Dean Fisher at

dean.fisher@legis.iowa.gov