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We are getting to that time of session where my updates will start to get shorter, as the work at the Statehouse moves from a focus on policy bills to the budget.
The Senate did not do much on the floor, but has been busy working through the Governor’s appointees for various boards and agency heads. On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee met and voted through 15 appointees, including one member each for the School Budget Review Committee and State Board of Education, as well as the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, Chad Aldis.
Procedurally, nominees will now go to the full floor for a vote. Most receive an “en bloc” vote where several appointees are considered and voted on at one time, but any Senator can request that an individual be removed from the en bloc calendar and voted on individually. These votes could start next week and will continue through the end of session.
Also on Tuesday, a Senate Ways and Means subcommittee met on Senate Study Bill 1208 which proposes several changes related to the Education Savings Account program. The subcommittee recommended passage of the bill.
The House held floor debate and moved several bills out of the Chamber this week. One that we are watching is House File 672 related to license renewal requirements for teachers holding a masters or doctoral degree. The bill passed out of the House by a vote of 98-0 and goes to the Senate.
Most work on appropriation bills continues behind the scenes. I previously mentioned that the Senate released shell appropriation bills and moved them through subcommittee and committee. The House released overall budget targets a few weeks ago, and work in the Chamber continues to proceed at the subcommittee level.
As always, I want to end by reminding everyone of the resources available on the Department’s legislative webpage, including our bill tracker which provides information on the current status of the bills we are monitoring. Of course, if you have any questions please reach out.
Eric St Clair
Legislative Liaison
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
515-326-0274
eric.stclair@iowa.gov
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