From the ground up

     Each week I report we have had a busy week in the Senate. I want to clarify this comment.

     Republican leadership is making things happen in the Senate in a way I have not experienced in my 4.5 years serving in my Senate seat for District 48. Republicans are accomplishing what you elected us to accomplish. It is busy, invigorating, and very satisfying to finally accomplish the work of our constituents as the leaders of the Iowa Senate.

     It was Agriculture Week in Iowa and in fitting fashion my fellow Ag Committee members and I honored Ag Week with our rendition of an FFA meeting opening ceremony on the Senate floor. By demonstrating to our fellow Senators the values incorporated in the FFA meeting opening ceremony we affirmed the important role that agriculture plays in Iowa’s economy, way of life and our Iowa values. We recited the FFA Creed, which shared our belief in the future of agriculture in Iowa.

     My big part in the week was running two important bills on the Senate floor. It was with great privilege both bills passed and are now passed to the House for their vote. The bills address economic growth in SF 431 and public safety on our roads in SF 220.

     SF 431, which allows wireless companies to have access to rights-of-way, public facilities, and utility poles in a timely and cost-efficient manner to increase their capacity to deliver wireless access, and more specifically, 5G. This is an important bill for Iowans as technology use grows each day and the demand for better Internet access grows. This bill passed 44-3.

     SF 220 regulates traffic cameras. Traffic cameras have been a big topic around the Capitol and around Iowa. This bill originally would have prohibited all use of traffic enforcement cameras in the state. My amendment allows the continued use of traffic cameras, but requires local authorities to hold a public meeting, have a justification report, and pass an ordinance prior to the operation of a traffic camera. In addition, the bill sets calibration requirements, limits the use of money generated from these cameras, and provides a petition process for citizens to ask their local government to remove cameras from a certain location. The bill, as amended, passed 31-18.

     For me, SF 220 is more about my constituents being safe while driving in documented, historically unsafe areas due to speed abusers. Specifically, I refer to Interstate 380 through Cedar Rapids. Data tells us Interstate 380 is safer due to current use of traffic cameras to deter speedy, unsafe drivers.

     Another bill relating to improved safety on our roadways is SF 234, making texting while driving a primary offense. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense, which means an officer cannot use texting while driving to pull someone over. You can still use your phone to make phone calls and as a GPS, but you cannot view text messages, e-mail, browse the Internet, or play games on your phone while driving. The bill passed the Senate 43-6.

     On Tuesday, March 21, the Iowa Senate passed Senate File 489, legalizing the sale and use of fireworks in the state of Iowa. Currently, Iowans can possess fireworks, but are prohibited from using them. This bill has been brought up in previous sessions, but often fizzled out before making it to the floor for a vote by the Senate. The bill would allow for the sale and regulation of first- and second-class consumer fireworks in both permanent and temporary structures. The bill provides for a limited sale and use period for the retailer and consumer. It also allows the state fire marshal to order the suspension of use of all fireworks if they deem a threat to public safety.

     Senate Republicans approved a measure this week in the Iowa Senate that would make several changes to medical liability law. Making these tweaks to Iowa medical liability law will be advantageous in helping reduce rising premium costs for physicians. This in turn will make it easier to recruit and retain physicians in our rural communities, which is a struggle for many health care facilities across Iowa. Senate File 465 will help strengthen our rural communities by ensuring Iowans from every part of the state have access to quality health care.

     Voting is a fundamental principle of our republic. Iowans want to vote with confidence the elections in this state are accurate and reliable. Confidence in an election is an important aspect to encourage higher voter turnout.

     This week the Iowa Senate debated a bill that will apply a reasonable voter ID requirement for Iowans before they cast their ballot.

     This bill does a few simple things:

   • It requires voters to prove they are who they say they are before they vote.

     • It creates more safeguards around absentee voting.

     • It updates voter lists.

     • It provides more education for poll workers on these changes.

     It provides for outreach and education to voters of this change prior to the election.

     The bill is designed to increase voter security and it would improve list management at the local and state level. It removes the option of straight party voting and in no way limits access to voting in Iowa. The voter bill passed the Senate 26-21.

     In the Senate Ag Committee meeting Matt Deppe from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Associate shared the “Iowa Nice” information relating to Iowa aid to the state of Texas due to of the fires affecting livestock feeding in Texas. Iowans are historically known to help others. Producers are donating hay to help Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma farmers feed their livestock. Matt’s presentation included a time for important and pertinent questions from Ag Committee members and he updated us on current issues in the cattle industry.

     So that’s just part of my busy Senate week. As we proceed through our second funnel week our bill debate docket will remain full as we do the work of the people.