Forget about raising the speed limits on Iowa's interstate and two-lane highways; don't try baiting deer while hunting on private property; and be aware that lawmakers have no plans to authorize special punishment to address "revenge porn."
The so-called funnel is a key procedural hurdle in the Legislature's session timetable, declaring bills dead that fail to win approval by committees in either the House or Senate. The deadline is officially Friday, but lawmakers had already wrapped up their work for the week Thursday afternoon. The funnel is aimed at narrowing a long list of bills that are introduced every year in the Iowa House and Senate.
Here is a list of some of this session's dead bills:
MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING: The proposal would have cut the amount of time those convicted of certain violent felonies would be required to spend behind bars before becoming eligible for parole or work release. Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, contended that prosecutors and judges should have more leeway in determining prison sentences. The bill died, but Wolfe said it’s possible the changes proposed for sentencing those convicted on some robbery charges could be added to another bill this session. House File 2171
BEER GROWLERS: The bill originally would have streamlined the process for brewpubs — retailers, often restaurants, that also make and sell their own beer — to sell large to-go containers of beer called growlers. They currently must sell the beer to a distributor and buy it back before selling to customers. The bill would have removed that middle step. Lawmakers instead opted to require a study of the issue, rather than pass the bill in its original form. House File 2156
PUBLIC INTOXICATION: It is illegal to be drunk in public or to “simulate intoxication,” which resulted in 10,662 public-intoxication charges for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015. The bill would have repealed Iowa’s public-intoxication law, with proponents arguing that officers can arrest drunk individuals on charges such as disorderly conduct. But it was met with strong opposition from law enforcement officials, who argue that the law gives officers a way to keep individuals from harming themselves or others. House File 2023
RAISING TOBACCO-PURCHASE AGE: The age to buy tobacco in Iowa would have been increased to 21 from 18 under a bill introduced by Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, who says he wants to keep cigarettes and other tobacco out of the state's high schools. But opponents, including lobbyists for the tobacco industry and Iowa's retail and grocery stores, say Iowans are legally adults at 18, can serve in the military, and should keep their right to decide whether to use tobacco and vapor products. Quirmbach said it's likely he will introduce a similar bill next year, with the understanding that it takes time to educate the public about such issues. Senate File 2016
DEATH WITH DIGNITY: Iowans facing a terminal illness could have obtained a prescription for a self-administered medication that would end their lives under the Iowa Death with Dignity Act, proposed by Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, and several other Democratic lawmakers. The measure was considered during a Senate subcommittee hearing that provoked emotional debate, and it did not advance, but Bolkcom says he expects discussion on the issue to continue. The bill was modeled after an Oregon law enacted in 1997. Senate File 2051
CRIMINAL ASSET FORFEITURE: A bill proposed by Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, would have provided that property is not subject to forfeiture unless a person has been convicted of a felony for which forfeiture is expressly authorized as a penalty. Under current law, a conviction for an offense is not required for an asset to be subject to forfeiture. Critics contend that that has led to abuses in which law-abiding citizens traveling with cash have had their money seized by law enforcement.Lawmakers ultimately agreed to amend the Senate bill to authorize a study of the issue, meaning that no changes to the law will occur in 2016. Senate File 2166
STANFORD BAND: Iowa's three state universities would have been prohibited from cooperating with Stanford University until Stanford officials publicly apologized for "unsporting behavior" by the school's marching band during the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl football game, under a bill proposed by Chelgren. His proposal won him some attention from University of Iowa fans still smarting from a 45-16 loss to Stanford. But Stanford officials haven’t apologized for the band’s irreverent performance that poked fun at Iowans, and Gronstal refused to take the bill seriously. Senate File 2081
POLICE BODY CAMERAS: The Iowa Senate discussed two bills governing the use of police body cameras, but it decided that more research is needed before lawmakers implement major new legislation addressing the issue. This will include matters involving the storage, retention, public inspection and confidentiality of law enforcement body camera video and audio recordings. As a result, legislators are simply proposing an interim study that will prepare recommendations for the 2017 Legislature. Senate Study Bill 3088 and Senate File 2174
SPORTS REFEREE ATTACKS: Assaults against sports officials would have been punishable with enhanced criminal penalties under a bill introduced by Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, at the suggestion of a constituent who is an athletics official. The official cited an incident at a Texas high school football game last year in which two players allegedly targeted one of the game officials and blindsided him, knocking him to the ground. The bill failed to clear a committee, amid objections that enhanced penalties for crimes against certain people are a bad idea. But Jones says she has since gotten feedback that more protection is needed for referees and umpires. So the issue will receive further study, though it won't be debated again this year, she said. House File 2020
CEDAR RAPIDS CASINO: A bill aimed at forcing state regulators to grant a state gambling license to establish a nonsmoking casino in Cedar Rapids has failed to win support for the third consecutive year. Sen. Wally Horn, D-Cedar Rapids, who proposed the legislation after state regulators rejected plans for a $164 million casino in his community, said he sees no chance for the measure to win approval this session. It has been too difficult to overcome opposition from lawmakers who have casinos in their districts and who are worried about possible cannibalization of Iowa’s gambling industry, he said. All of Iowa’s 22 casinos allow patrons to smoke. Senate File 139
PET WARRANTIES: People selling cats and dogs would have been required to furnish the buyer with a written warranty at the time of sale. The warranty would cover illness, disease, or a congenital or hereditary condition and it would expire after 21 days. The purchaser could make a claim for a return of the money, exchange for another dog or cat, or reimbursement of veterinarian fees. But the warranty would not have covered a condition that occurred after the sale occurred. Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, who proposed the bill, said it was suggested by members of kennel clubs and it received a generally good reception. Guth said he hopes some provisions might be amended onto other legislation this session. Senate File 2177
HUMAN CLONING: All human cloning in Iowa would have been prohibited, whether for reproductive or therapeutic purposes, under a bill introduced by Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan. Senate File 2114
LOTTERY GAMES FOR DISEASE SUPPORT: The Iowa Lottery, which provides a share of its profits for veterans programs and state government services, would have established a multiple sclerosis support fund and authorized lottery games to benefit persons with the disease, under a bill introduced by Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale. Senate File 2048
TINTED WINDSHIELD EXEMPTIONS: Iowans with certain medical conditions would have been exempted from a state law prohibiting motor vehicles from having excessively dark, tinted or reflective windshields, windows or side wings, under a bill proposed by Republican Reps. Rob Bacon of Slater and Dave Deyoe of Nevada. House File 2195
OLDER JUROR EXEMPTIONS: People 73 and older would have automatically been exempted from jury duty under a bill proposed by Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport. House File 2056
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...ek-which-bills-died-iowa-statehouse/80534334/
The so-called funnel is a key procedural hurdle in the Legislature's session timetable, declaring bills dead that fail to win approval by committees in either the House or Senate. The deadline is officially Friday, but lawmakers had already wrapped up their work for the week Thursday afternoon. The funnel is aimed at narrowing a long list of bills that are introduced every year in the Iowa House and Senate.
Here is a list of some of this session's dead bills:
MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING: The proposal would have cut the amount of time those convicted of certain violent felonies would be required to spend behind bars before becoming eligible for parole or work release. Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, contended that prosecutors and judges should have more leeway in determining prison sentences. The bill died, but Wolfe said it’s possible the changes proposed for sentencing those convicted on some robbery charges could be added to another bill this session. House File 2171
BEER GROWLERS: The bill originally would have streamlined the process for brewpubs — retailers, often restaurants, that also make and sell their own beer — to sell large to-go containers of beer called growlers. They currently must sell the beer to a distributor and buy it back before selling to customers. The bill would have removed that middle step. Lawmakers instead opted to require a study of the issue, rather than pass the bill in its original form. House File 2156
PUBLIC INTOXICATION: It is illegal to be drunk in public or to “simulate intoxication,” which resulted in 10,662 public-intoxication charges for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015. The bill would have repealed Iowa’s public-intoxication law, with proponents arguing that officers can arrest drunk individuals on charges such as disorderly conduct. But it was met with strong opposition from law enforcement officials, who argue that the law gives officers a way to keep individuals from harming themselves or others. House File 2023
RAISING TOBACCO-PURCHASE AGE: The age to buy tobacco in Iowa would have been increased to 21 from 18 under a bill introduced by Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, who says he wants to keep cigarettes and other tobacco out of the state's high schools. But opponents, including lobbyists for the tobacco industry and Iowa's retail and grocery stores, say Iowans are legally adults at 18, can serve in the military, and should keep their right to decide whether to use tobacco and vapor products. Quirmbach said it's likely he will introduce a similar bill next year, with the understanding that it takes time to educate the public about such issues. Senate File 2016
DEATH WITH DIGNITY: Iowans facing a terminal illness could have obtained a prescription for a self-administered medication that would end their lives under the Iowa Death with Dignity Act, proposed by Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, and several other Democratic lawmakers. The measure was considered during a Senate subcommittee hearing that provoked emotional debate, and it did not advance, but Bolkcom says he expects discussion on the issue to continue. The bill was modeled after an Oregon law enacted in 1997. Senate File 2051
CRIMINAL ASSET FORFEITURE: A bill proposed by Sen. Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, would have provided that property is not subject to forfeiture unless a person has been convicted of a felony for which forfeiture is expressly authorized as a penalty. Under current law, a conviction for an offense is not required for an asset to be subject to forfeiture. Critics contend that that has led to abuses in which law-abiding citizens traveling with cash have had their money seized by law enforcement.Lawmakers ultimately agreed to amend the Senate bill to authorize a study of the issue, meaning that no changes to the law will occur in 2016. Senate File 2166
STANFORD BAND: Iowa's three state universities would have been prohibited from cooperating with Stanford University until Stanford officials publicly apologized for "unsporting behavior" by the school's marching band during the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl football game, under a bill proposed by Chelgren. His proposal won him some attention from University of Iowa fans still smarting from a 45-16 loss to Stanford. But Stanford officials haven’t apologized for the band’s irreverent performance that poked fun at Iowans, and Gronstal refused to take the bill seriously. Senate File 2081
POLICE BODY CAMERAS: The Iowa Senate discussed two bills governing the use of police body cameras, but it decided that more research is needed before lawmakers implement major new legislation addressing the issue. This will include matters involving the storage, retention, public inspection and confidentiality of law enforcement body camera video and audio recordings. As a result, legislators are simply proposing an interim study that will prepare recommendations for the 2017 Legislature. Senate Study Bill 3088 and Senate File 2174
SPORTS REFEREE ATTACKS: Assaults against sports officials would have been punishable with enhanced criminal penalties under a bill introduced by Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, at the suggestion of a constituent who is an athletics official. The official cited an incident at a Texas high school football game last year in which two players allegedly targeted one of the game officials and blindsided him, knocking him to the ground. The bill failed to clear a committee, amid objections that enhanced penalties for crimes against certain people are a bad idea. But Jones says she has since gotten feedback that more protection is needed for referees and umpires. So the issue will receive further study, though it won't be debated again this year, she said. House File 2020
CEDAR RAPIDS CASINO: A bill aimed at forcing state regulators to grant a state gambling license to establish a nonsmoking casino in Cedar Rapids has failed to win support for the third consecutive year. Sen. Wally Horn, D-Cedar Rapids, who proposed the legislation after state regulators rejected plans for a $164 million casino in his community, said he sees no chance for the measure to win approval this session. It has been too difficult to overcome opposition from lawmakers who have casinos in their districts and who are worried about possible cannibalization of Iowa’s gambling industry, he said. All of Iowa’s 22 casinos allow patrons to smoke. Senate File 139
PET WARRANTIES: People selling cats and dogs would have been required to furnish the buyer with a written warranty at the time of sale. The warranty would cover illness, disease, or a congenital or hereditary condition and it would expire after 21 days. The purchaser could make a claim for a return of the money, exchange for another dog or cat, or reimbursement of veterinarian fees. But the warranty would not have covered a condition that occurred after the sale occurred. Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, who proposed the bill, said it was suggested by members of kennel clubs and it received a generally good reception. Guth said he hopes some provisions might be amended onto other legislation this session. Senate File 2177
HUMAN CLONING: All human cloning in Iowa would have been prohibited, whether for reproductive or therapeutic purposes, under a bill introduced by Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan. Senate File 2114
LOTTERY GAMES FOR DISEASE SUPPORT: The Iowa Lottery, which provides a share of its profits for veterans programs and state government services, would have established a multiple sclerosis support fund and authorized lottery games to benefit persons with the disease, under a bill introduced by Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale. Senate File 2048
TINTED WINDSHIELD EXEMPTIONS: Iowans with certain medical conditions would have been exempted from a state law prohibiting motor vehicles from having excessively dark, tinted or reflective windshields, windows or side wings, under a bill proposed by Republican Reps. Rob Bacon of Slater and Dave Deyoe of Nevada. House File 2195
OLDER JUROR EXEMPTIONS: People 73 and older would have automatically been exempted from jury duty under a bill proposed by Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport. House File 2056
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/...ek-which-bills-died-iowa-statehouse/80534334/
