The week after the First Funnel

The week after the First Funnel was packed with caucus meetings and floor debates. We began each day with a gavel-in, moved to caucus, and wrapped up with debates on the House floor. Since we’re awaiting bills from the Senate, no committees met except for Ways and Means. The focus is on advancing bills through one chamber, though not all bills that passed the First Funnel will reach a floor vote. Some may stall due to leadership decisions (not being placed on the Debate Calendar) or lack of support from the House Republican Caucus. This vetting process ensures each bill is thoroughly evaluated before reaching the House floor for debate.

I’m dedicating extra time to two bills: the proposed Property Tax Bill and the Protected Occupation Retirement Benefit Bill.

HSB 313 was introduced mid-session, allowing time for review. I have several questions, particularly about its effects on smaller communities and the state’s increased role in school funding decisions. More analysis is needed to address these concerns. The House Ways and Means chair has emphasized that this bill is just a starting point. The Des Moines Register highlighted the following key provisions:

• Allocate $426 million in state general funds to replace school funding currently sourced from property taxes.

• Limit most property tax levy growth to 2 percent annually, excluding new construction revenue.

• Offer a $25,000 homestead property tax exemption for each household.

• Increase the veterans’ property tax exemption from $3,000 to $7,000.

• Provide a property tax credit for Iowans aged 70 or older with incomes below 350 percent of the federal poverty level.

• Gradually eliminate the state’s “rollback” for residential and commercial properties by 2030. The rollback, calculated yearly, caps the taxable portion of a property’s value.

HSB 265 aligns the IPERS Protected Occupations Pension benefits with last year’s Sheriff’s IPERS Pension updates. This bill would cover police officers, firefighters, county jailers, corrections officers, DNR staff, and others. We’re engaged in thorough discussions about the costs to government entities—including the state—and the impact on our officers, sheriff jailers, corrections officers, and firefighters.

Let’s continue the conversation!