A closer look inside the legislative process

     Thank you for all of your contacts and ideas these first two weeks. It helps me do my job of representing you more effectively. As always, keep your questions and comments coming!

     We have started holding subcommittee meetings on 2018 bills. Once a bill is drafted and assigned to a specific committee, such as Education, three senators meet and discuss the bill in detail. This subcommittee consists of two senators from the majority party and one from the minority. Stakeholders and the public are welcome to attend this discussion and share their thoughts on the bill. Every element of the bill is debated on the basis of whether it’s favorable for Iowans, and often times multiple edits are made.

     This past week, I attended a subcommittee on improving the process for a new business to file to become an LLC through the Secretary of State’s office. This bill would use new technology to make this process more efficient and less likely to include errors. Amendments will be necessary for this bill to proceed to the full committee.

     I also attended a subcommittee on a bill that would provide a one-year waiver for out-of-state teachers who have fulfilled all requirements other than scoring above the 25^th percentile on the Praxis exam. I’m reluctant to lower this bar because we want the highest-quality teachers in Iowa. This isn’t to say that the bill can’t be improved. I’m looking at a possible change that would standardize hiring criteria from year to year and still maintain a high standard.

     The subcommittee process is useful because discussion sparks ideas about how to change a bill for the better. Though a senator may feel one way about a bill initially, most bills undergo significant changes between first draft and approval by committee, and often even more before passing the full chamber.

     To contact Sen. Bowman when the legislature is in session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise, he can be reached at 563-370-2422. You can e-mail him at tod.bowman@legis.iowa.gov.