The Iowa House of Representatives' Chamber, located on the second floor of the Capitol, was dedicated in 1884. The 100 House members use this chamber during each session of the Iowa General Assembly.GUN RIGHTSThe wide-ranging gun law includes a stand-your-ground provision, which allows people to use deadly force anywhere if they feel a risk to their life or safety. The bill will also allow weapons permit holders to bring a concealed handgun into the state Capitol. Minors under 14 will be able to use handguns with parental or guardian supervision.
Democrats and gun safety advocates expressed concern over the stand-your-ground provision, which will allow people to use deadly force anywhere if they felt a risk to their life or safety. They say it will lead to racial tensions and increase gun violence.
Republicans say the bill will expand Second Amendment rights in the state.
COLLECTIVE BARGAININGThe law eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public workers such as teachers, nurses and correctional officers, greatly reducing their ability to negotiate over benefits and working conditions. Some public safety officers were exempt from bargaining restrictions.
There are roughly 180,000 public sector employees in Iowa that are covered by union contracts and would be impacted by the legislation. Public safety workers, such as enforcement officers and firefighters, would be exempt from some provisions of the bill.
Labor unions said it will lead many to find other work or leave Iowa, especially rural parts of the state. Republicans say the legislation will give local officials more flexibility with budgets...
MINIMUM WAGEThe law prohibits local governments from raising minimum hourly wages above the $7.25 state and federal levels, effectively cutting pay for some workers in counties that had raised wages.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATIONThe law restricts workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries, decreasing some coverage for shoulder injuries and permanent injuries impacting the whole body. It also created a retraining program for some injured workers.
Senate Democrats have accused Republicans of cutting costs at the expense of injured workers, while Republicans say the changes are necessary to reduce unnecessary lawsuits.
20-WEEK BANThe legislation, which is expected to be signed into law, would ban most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy. It includes no exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal conditions, though it will allow an abortion if a woman's life is at risk. Another provision would require a woman to wait 72 hours before an abortion, among the longest in the country.
The bill is a major conservative victory for the new GOP-led Legislature. Democrats blocked previous abortion restrictions.
At least 19 other states have approved similar 20-week bans, which are based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Some have been halted amid court challenges.
DEFUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOODRepublican lawmakers agreed to forgo millions in federal Medicaid dollars to create a family planning program that excludes Planned Parenthood and other organizations that provide abortions. The effort will cost the state about $3.1 million. Branstad has indicated support for the defunding effort.
VOTER IDThe legislation, pending Branstad's signature, would require voters to show approved identification beginning in 2019. Voters will be subject to a soft rollout before then that will involve them signing a form at the polls acknowledging they will soon need to show ID. Lawmakers have directed $700,000 toward the voter ID program.
Read more at:
http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-glance-at-key-bills-in-Republican-led-Iowa-Legislature-420174373.html\-------------
It's been a very good session. Now all we need is welfare reform.
