Iowa Chamber Alliance Update: June 16, 2020
posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in Government Affairs
Grow Cedar Valley is a member of the Iowa Chamber Alliance (ICA), a federation of the 16 largest economic and community development organizations in the state. As an ICA member, Grow Cedar Valley will be providing updates to you, our investors, so you can stay abreast of the developments throughout the session. This is one of the ways we try to enhance the advocacy we provide through Grow Cedar Valley. Download the pdf or continue reading below for the most recent update.
Iowa Chamber Alliance Update: June 16, 2020
The Second Session of Iowa’s 88th General Assembly adjourned Sunday, June 14, 2020. At the beginning of session Governor Kim Reynolds brought forward a broad agenda priorities included workforce development support through Future Ready Iowa, a rural development initiative entitled Empower Rural Iowa, Invest in Iowa, and Universal Licensure. During the week of the second funnel, the Legislature decided to suspend session due to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted 13 weeks. The Legislature returned June 3 with the intent to pass a budget and adjourn the 88th General Assembly within two weeks.
In the final days of session, the House and Senate passed historic justice reform legislation that would ban the use of chokeholds by police officers in most situations and allow the Attorney General to investigate the police force when needed. The bill was introduced, passed unanimously in both chambers, and sent to the Governor for her signature in a single day.
Despite the unprecedented circumstances this year, many of the ICA’s priorities relating to Talent, Economic Development, Business Climate and Infrastructure passed. The ICA registered a position on 118 bills this session with 42 in support.
Talent
HF 2629 – Governor Reynold’s Future Ready Iowa legislation passed both chambers with bipartisan support. The legislation creates the Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities Program, the Childcare Challenge Program, and provides matching grants to employers who create childcare facilities. Additionally, the bill expands the Last-Dollar Scholarship Program to more applicants and expands computer science education in K-12. This bill was a priority this year for the ICA and its passage will help provide communities across Iowa with a skilled workforce.
HF 2627 – Governor Reynold’s expressed her intent to reform Iowa’s professional licensing system during her Condition of the State. This bill addressed that priority by streamlining the licensing process and provided opportunities for individuals licensed in other states to work in Iowa. Universal Licensure was a key priority for the ICA as a way to bring more skilled workers into Iowa.
HF2647 – During the few weeks to close out session, there was significant upheaval nationwide related to the killing of George Floyd. In an overwhelmingly bipartisan moment, the Legislature came together on a leadership bill to address Justice Reform that included independent investigation by the Attorney General and prohibition of certain law enforcement tactics.
Economic Development
HF 2641 – The Legislature passed a tax omnibus bill with several changes to Iowa’s tax code, but it included a reauthorization of $100 million for the Iowa Reinvestment Program. With Invest in Iowa tabled due to the pandemic, this path was available to increase state funding for quality of life and economic development projects. The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support.
The Legislature was unable to come to agreement on reauthorization of the Angel Investor tax credit but they also did not pass negative changes to tax credits or policies utilized for economic development.
Business climate
HF 2641 – The tax omnibus also made extremely positive tax policy changes advocated for by the Department of Revenue and the bill also addressed one of ICA’s key priorities by ensuring that global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) is treated as foreign dividend income to avoid a tax increase for companies with foreign income.
HF 2643 – The Legislature decided to pass a Status Quo Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 due to the effects of COVID-19 on the state’s economy. As a result, the bill provides for flexible spending authority for Governor Reynolds to work with the Department of Management to implement.
SF 2338 – As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ABI spearheaded a COVID-19 Liability Protections bill to provide certainty against risk for recovering businesses. The ICA supported the bill that would provide personal protective equipment product liability protections, liability protections to healthcare providers, and businesses liability protectors regarding exposure claims. The legislation passed the House 52-44 and the Senate 31-18.
Infrastructure
SF 2400 – Empower Rural Iowa was one of Governor Reynold’s initiatives to expand broadband in rural Iowa. The bill incentivizes industries to install broadband infrastructure in underserved areas of the state with larger incentives for higher speeds. The ICA supported this bill, as it would bring new businesses to rural Iowa. The Legislature approved the bill unanimously.
SF 583 – Before the shutdown for COVID-19, MidAmerican Energy Company, agriculture groups, environmental groups and solar advocates came to an agreement on a Solar Bill to address certainty distributed generation for renewable energy.
The governor has 30 days after the legislature adjourns sine die (i.e., until July 14, 2020) to approve or veto legislation sent to her in the last three days before adjournment or sent to her after the legislature adjourns.