Iowa House Adjourns Sine Die

Week 18 of the 2021 calendar year brought a close to the legislative session. This week was long in hours but short on days as legislators worked late into the night to pass many priorities, including tax cuts, protecting law enforcement, protecting life, funding mental health, removing the “Cliff Effect” from the child care assistance program, as well as establishing a butchery innovation and revitalization fund for small meat processors.

It was my honor to attend a bill signing for SF 356, a bill I floor managed to promote agritourism, on May 19 in Gov. Reynolds’ office. This bill increases opportunities for consumers to connect with Iowa farmers who grow specialty crops like flowers, strawberries, pumpkins and apples.

Tax Cuts (SF 619)

After extensive negotiations with the Iowa Senate and Governor’s Office, the House delivered a tax cut package that eases the tax burden on hardworking Iowans while maintaining the responsible, conservative budgeting principles that have gotten the state into the financial position where it is today.

The bill includes:

Removes triggers from the 2018 tax reform bill, which ensures income tax cuts for all Iowans go into effect Jan. 1, 2023

Increases eligibility for the Child Care Tax Credits from families making $45,000 to $90,000

Exempts COVID-19 grant money & Paycheck Protection Plan loans from state income tax

Phases out the state inheritance tax over five years

Provides property tax relief for low income seniors

Increases workforce housing tax credits to $40 million for Fiscal Year 2022 and $35 million for the following years

Phases out the mental health property tax levy over two years with guardrails to control for quality and equality of services, as well as future costs to the state.

Back the Blue (SF 342)

The House has been clear where we stand, and it’s with the men and women in law enforcement. We passed an expansive bill to increase protections and support for law enforcement while giving them additional tools to keep our communities safer.

This bill:

Provides additional privacy protections for law enforcement officers.

Criminalizes shining a laser light into a police officer’s eyes.

Ensures law enforcement may carry their firearms while on duty.

Gives officers qualified immunity, so officers operating within the law and within the policies and procedures of the department will be protected from civil lawsuits.

Increases penalties for violent rioting, blocking a roadway, destroying public property and harassing people in a place of public accommodation.

Life (HJR 5 Constitutional Amendment)

The Iowa Supreme Court in 2017 went far beyond its purview and declared abortion a constitutional right in Iowa. The Court’s ruling threatens reasonable restrictions on abortion, such as restrictions on late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions. After negotiations with the Senate, the Iowa House passed new language for a Constitutional Amendment that would return the Constitution to neutral on abortion rights. The language will need to pass next General Assembly before Iowans have an opportunity to vote for it on a ballot.

Fixing the Cliff Effect (HF 302)

One of our top priorities this session has been addressing the child care “Cliff Effect.” Often times, families are forced to reject a pay raise because it would result in the loss of the entirety of their child care assistance. This “Cliff Effect” is holding back our workforce. This bill provides an off-ramp, so parents can grow in their career while phasing off government assistance.

Butchery Innovation (HF 857)

This bill establishes a Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund that provides grants, low-interest loans, and forgivable loans to eligible businesses for projects that expand or refurbish, or that establish a new, state or federally inspected small-scale meat processing business, licensed custom locker, or mobile slaughter unit. The bill requires that priority be given to eligible businesses that will create new jobs; create or expand opportunities for local small-scale farmers to market processed meat under private labels; or provide greater flexibility or convenience for local farmers to have animals processed. It also creates a task force to explore the feasibility of establishing an artisanal butchery program at a community college or at one of the Regents institutions.

Stay in Touch

It is my honor to serve as your representative in the Iowa House. Now that the Iowa Legislature has adjourned for the final time of the 2021 session, this concludes “Front Row News” until 2022. However, I will continue to post on my social media accounts. You’re welcome to message me on my political Facebook page (@ShannonLathamIA) or send me emails to shannon.latham@legis.iowa.gov.

Sincerely,

Rep. Shannon Latham

Iowa House District 54