Update on legislation passed in 2024
Two bills have begun the path toward a constitutional amendment. Both of these amendments will need to be passed during another legislative session and then will go to the voters for approval. Sierra Club opposes these bills.
Bill # |
Description – 2024 bills |
Sierra Club Position |
Status |
SJR2004 |
Constitutional amendment for single income tax rate
|
against |
Senate passed 34-15 House passed 58-35 |
HJR2006 |
a constitutional amendment requiring tax increases to individual and corporate income tax rates be made by a two-thirds vote of both chambers – nothing on lowering taxes |
against |
House passed 61-35 Senate passed 31-13 |
A number of bills were passed by the legislature this year. The next step is for a signature or a veto by the Governor. The bills we are tracking include:
Bill # |
Prior bill |
Description – sent to governor |
Issue |
Sierra Club Position |
Status |
HF2237 |
SF2157, HF2118, SF2042, HSB576 |
Allows off-road utility vehicles on state park road systems
|
Wildlands |
against |
House passed 78-13 Senate passed 45-2 On way to governor |
HF2485 |
HSB647, SSB3153, SF2292 |
Allows common interest communities and nonprofit corporations (such as for Lake Panorama) to regulate vessels and equipment on public lakes (those lawfully accessible by the general public), including privately owned buoys |
water |
against |
House passed 74-22 Senate passed 44-5 Signed by governor |
HF572 |
HF388, SF369, SF520 |
Prohibits flying drones over animal feeding operations
|
AG |
against |
House passed 87-0 Senate passed 49-0 On way to governor |
SF2096 |
HSB670, HF2540 |
Repeals gender balance on boards and commissions |
Good govt |
Against |
Senate passed 32-15 Passed House 62-33 Signed by governor |
SF2171
|
SSB3099 |
Allows the majority leader of the senate, minority leader of the senate, speaker of the house, minority leader of house to submit an amicus curiae brief when an act is challenged in an appeals court for constitutionality – these briefs can by-pass the normal procedures other amicus briefs must follow in terms of seeking court ok or consent of the parties |
Good govt |
against |
Senate passed 47-0 House passed 85-11 Signed by governor |
SF2370 |
SSB3119, HSB696 |
Overhauls rulemaking process
|
Good govt |
against |
Senate passed 31-15 House passed 91-3 with amendment Senate passed 32-14 On way to governor |
SF2385 |
SSB3172, HSB710, HF2574 |
Eliminates boards and commissions, eliminates state preserves advisory board |
Good govt |
against |
Senate passed 30-14 House passed 54-42 with amendment Senate passed 32-14 On way to governor |
SF455 |
|
Prohibits counties and cities from requiring topsoil restoration at building sites, counties and cities cannot require more stringent storm water runoff at a construction site than is present before construction begins
|
water |
against |
Senate passed 33-15 House failed 44-49, motion to reconsider House passed 53-46 with amendment Senate passed 29-18 Signed by governor |
HF2364 |
HF2009 |
DNR to conduct annual survey of state parks, identifying trails and features accessible for folks with disabilities, results published online |
Wildlands |
for |
House passed 97-0 Senate passed 46-0 On way to governor |
HF2279 |
HSB555, SF2300, SSB3075 |
Defines battery storage and nuclear as alternate energy production facilities Sierra Club’s note: “We support the changes for electric storage units. We do not support the changes for nuclear: nuclear is not renewable energy, the mining process leaves huge quantities of toxic waste, the spent fuel is radioactive for centuries.” |
Energy |
undecided |
House passed 86-1 Senate passed 45-1 On way to governor |
HF2539 |
HF2062 |
increases penalties for open meetings violations |
Good govt |
undecided |
House passed 92-2 Senate passed 46-0 with amendment House passed 87-6 On way to governor |
HF2691 |
SF2438, SSB3202 |
Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund appropriations |
Good govt |
undecided |
House passed 96-1 Senate passed 47-0 with amendment House passed 57-35 On way to governor |
SF2275 |
SSB3098
|
Requires attorneys to notice legislature by certified mail or personal mail when any pleading, motion, petition, or appeal challenges the constitutionality of a statute
|
Good govt |
Undecided |
Senate passed 35-12 House passed 67-29 with amendment Senate passed 29-18 Signed by governor |
SF2421 |
SSB3193, SSB3196, HF2694 |
Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations - $12 million for REAP
|
Good govt |
undecided |
Senate passed 33-14 House passed 79-0 On way to governor |
SF2436 |
SSB3203, SSB3190, HF2695 |
Judicial Branch appropriations
|
Good govt |
undecided |
Senate passed 44-0 House passed 90-1 On way to governor |