Under the golden dome

In the Senate

     Last week is the first funnel week of the year, meaning Senate bills need to be out of Senate committees in order to be considered for the rest of the year. This does not apply to bills that are in Appropriations, Ways & Means, or Government Oversight committees.

     One big topic of conversations at the Capitol last week was Senate File 348. This bill is from Governor Kim Reynolds and allows for the dispensing of self-administered hormonal contraceptives by a pharmacist without a previous consultation and prescription of a doctor. This means a patient who is 18 years or older can receive a one-year supply of one of three different contraceptives. It also requires pharmacists who dispense it to complete a training program and obtain a completed self-screening risk assessment from each patient before dispensing contraceptives. In the event the assessment raises possible complications the pharmacist can refuse dispensing of the contraceptive and will refer the patient to a physician. If the pharmacist does dispense the supply of contraceptives the patient is eligible for one additional year (two total) before she must visit a physician.

     Senate Study Bill 1197 started making its way through the Senate Human Resources Committee last Wednesday. This bill builds on the success of last year’s complex needs bill, which created an adult system for people with mental health concerns. SSB 1197 establishes a children’s behavioral health system in the state of Iowa. This bill is a result of an executive order by Governor Reynolds and recommendations from a workgroup on mental health in Iowa. Many people showed up for the subcommittee to discuss what they liked about the bill and additions they thought would be beneficial for the state. I look forward to seeing this bill move forward and am interested to see what it will look like in its final form.

     Last week, Senate Republicans released budget targets for the next fiscal year. The overall budget of $7,619,300,000 is the same amount of funding allocated for the previous fiscal year, but includes millions of new dollars in spending. This is possible due to one-time expenditures we had last year that are not required this year.

     The budget targets proposed implement a sustainable, responsible, and conservative budget that funds our priorities in education, health care, and public safety all while providing millions in additional tax relief for hard-working Iowans.

     With the release of these numbers, budget negotiations with the governor and the House of Representatives will continue as all parties work to move Iowa forward. This budget puts dollars in areas that are priorities for Iowans. Senate Republicans remain committed to Iowa taxpayers and the responsibility of spending their hard-earned money wisely, and we are dedicated to putting this money towards policies to grow our state.

     On Thursday, SF 291 was passed out of subcommittee and now heads to the full Human Resources committee for consideration. I filed this bill to help Iowans access insulin supplies in emergency situations and I will continue to advocate for its passage as it makes its way through the legislature.

Around the Capitol

     Last week was another busy week filled with constituent meetings at the Capitol and around Senate District 29.

     Tuesday afternoon I met with social work students from the University of Northern Iowa who were at the Capitol to advocate for children’s mental health and the future of social work needs.

     On Wednesday, I met with Farm Bureau representatives from the Dubuque, Jackson, and Jones counties. They stressed the importance of supporting the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, passage of the SAVE penny, and aligning the tax code to treat C Corps and S Corps the same as other business structures.