Week 15 Legislative Update

By Rep. Jon Dunwell

As we navigate the challenges of rising costs and evolving community needs, the Iowa House Republicans have been hard at work this week, passing a series of bills aimed at providing economic relief, enhancing access to essential services, and strengthening protections for our youth. Inflation continues to weigh heavily on Iowans, and we’re addressing it head-on with meaningful tax cuts. We’ve lowered the income tax rate to 3.8% for all taxpaying Iowans, a move opposed by Democrats who claim these cuts only benefit the wealthy—a claim that doesn’t hold up when every taxpayer sees relief. Additionally, we passed House File 964 to eliminate sales tax on toilet paper and House File 966 to remove it on dietary supplements, further easing the burden on everyday purchases. On property taxes, we’re taking a deliberate approach, carefully reviewing a major overhaul to ensure it balances relief with the needs of local governments, who warn of potential service cuts.

Access to quality, affordable child care remains a top concern for Iowa families, and we’re tackling it from multiple angles. House File 962 removes the income cap for the child and dependent care tax credit, making it available to all families earning over $25,000. Meanwhile, House File 991 reduces property taxes for child care facilities by classifying them at the residential rollback rate instead of the higher commercial rate, helping providers keep costs down. These steps build on our ongoing efforts to ensure parents across the state have safe, affordable options for their children.

Health and safety are also at the forefront of our agenda. House File 978 opens the door for supervised psilocybin treatment for Iowans over 21 suffering from PTSD, particularly veterans and first responders, offering hope in a clinical setting to combat high suicide rates. To protect our schools, House File 163 mandates multidisciplinary threat assessment teams to intervene when students exhibit concerning behaviors, fostering collaboration between educators, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. House File 303 addresses delays in healthcare by reforming prior authorization, requiring insurers to respond to urgent requests within 48 hours and nonurgent ones within 10 days, while also mandating annual reviews to eliminate unnecessary requirements. With Iowa facing the nation’s highest radon levels and rising cancer rates, House File 1027 introduces a $1,000 tax credit for radon mitigation systems and mandates passive radon-resistant construction in new homes, a critical step toward reducing lung cancer deaths.

Finally, protecting our youth remains a core priority. House File 1003 strengthens the foster care system by dedicating staff to locate relatives for placement and allowing courts to prioritize long-term foster parents for stability. Senate File 474 enhances mental health and substance abuse services for young Iowans, ensuring those with serious emotional or behavioral challenges get the support they need. Senate File 150 cracks down on child exploitation by allowing multiple charges for possessing images of the same child, reinforcing our commitment to justice and safety.

These actions reflect our dedication to lowering costs, improving access to care, and building stronger, safer communities for all Iowans. We’re listening to your concerns and working to deliver results that make a difference in our lives. Let’s keep the discussion going!