Update: this bill was sidelined by the legislative funnel and will not be moving forward this legislative session.
Constitutional amendment would replace I-Will with property tax relief
Several Senators are trying to repeal the I-Will constitutional amendment and instead use the 3/8 cent sales tax for property tax relief for elementary and secondary schools.
In 2010, 63 percent of Iowa voters supported a constitutional amendment that created a Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund (Trust) that is to be supported by a sales tax of 3/8 of one cent. This trust fund is to be used “for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in this State including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this State.” The amendment is also called I-Will or Sustainable Funding.
The constitutional amendment, the related sales tax increase, and the promises held in the state law have been sitting unimplemented. It is waiting for the legislators to raise the sales tax.
Several legislators have introduced a bill that would repeal the Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund from the constituion and replace it with a property tax relief trust fund.
- There would still be a 3/8 cent sales tax and it would also include the use taxes. Sales taxes are paid when you go to a store and purchase goods and some services. Use taxes are paid for internet sales.
- That money would replace funding for elementary and secondary education in each school district in Iowa, which is currently paid for with property taxes.
- It would lower the foundation property tax levy rate on an equal basis across the school districts.
- It would go into effect with the next sales and use tax increase.
This is the first of several steps in revising the constitution:
- 2025 and 2026 – both the Senate and the House would be required to pass the bill
- 2026 election
- 2027 and 2028 - both the Senate and the House would be required to pass the same bill – same language
- 2028 - Would be placed on our ballots. The public would be able to vote for or against the constitutional amendment
The Sierra Club opposes this legislation.
What you can do
- Ask the Senate State Government Committee members to oppose SJR6. Their emails addresses are ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov , jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov , cindy.winckler@legis.iowa.gov , kevin.alons@legis.iowa.gov , tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov , matt.blake@legis.iowa.gov , mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov , doug.campbell@legis.iowa.gov , claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov , dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov , jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov , dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov , carrie.koelker@legis.iowa.gov , sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov , jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov , art.staed@legis.iowa.gov , thomas.townsend@legis.iowa.gov , scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov , cherielynn.westrich@legis.iowa.gov
- Ask your state senator to oppose SJR6. To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate or to find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find
Senator Art Staed gave a heart-felt speech in opposition to SJR6 during the Senate subcommittee reviewing the bill. To watch it, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?
